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A review by livrad
A Young People's History of the United States: Columbus to the War on Terror by Howard Zinn
5.0
Howard Zinn's history for young people adds to (and corrects) mainstream history by also using the lenses of those not in power. It shows U.S. history from the view of those who are poor, female, Black, immigrants, Latinx, Indigenous, children, victims of wars, and the workers. It also highlights movements of resistance and fundamental social change.
Excerpts about how this varies from other histories:
"[Most histories] place the emphasis on the acts of leaders, not the actions of ordinary citizens."
"Most history books suggest that in times of crisis we must look to someone to save us. In the Revolutionary crisis, the Founding Fathers saved us. In the Civil War, Lincoln saved us. In the Depression, FDR saved us. Our role is just to go to the voting booths every four years. But from time to time, Americans reject the idea of a savior. They feel their own strength, and they rebel."
Excerpts about how this varies from other histories:
"[Most histories] place the emphasis on the acts of leaders, not the actions of ordinary citizens."
"Most history books suggest that in times of crisis we must look to someone to save us. In the Revolutionary crisis, the Founding Fathers saved us. In the Civil War, Lincoln saved us. In the Depression, FDR saved us. Our role is just to go to the voting booths every four years. But from time to time, Americans reject the idea of a savior. They feel their own strength, and they rebel."