A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

First off I should clarify that I didn't mean to buy this book, but audible recommended it to me after I finished both Sapiens and Guns, Germs and Steel and I accidentally bought it when reading the description... Both those books were pretty game changing for me, but I wasn't super interested in American history and was daunted by starting an absolutely massive book about it. But being the good Mennonite I am, I wasn't going to let this thing I paid for gather dust. Seeing as America is in every headline right now, I finally decided to go for it.

This book is incredibly leftist and Marxist leaning, and while I blasted Sapiens for its unabashed bias, Zinn makes clear from the very first chapter what perspective he is telling this book from and for what reason (basically because the history books to this point have all been biased the other way). While I wish he provided a little more balance at times, I still felt rather compelled by how he presented (and omitted) the facts. He is uncompromising in his pointing out the flaws and atrocities of every US leader, including the universal heroes like Lincoln, FDR and JFK. I really do feel I know a lot more about the presidents and know I'll never think of them the same again. My third eye has been opened (once again).

But this isn't a book about evil presidents, but rather the people of the US. He goes to great lengths to trace the roots of the feminist movement, black movement, Indian movement, and most of all the various labour movements. He says in his afterword that he regrets not taking enough time on both LGBTQ and Latino movements. Still, lots of really great, interesting stuff, though I will say that the crazy amount of labour issues lost me a time or two. There were a LOT of disputes, and I think this book really puts in perspective how broken the US capitalist system is.

Altogether I think this was a terrific read. I would have liked a few more dives into things that I think truly represent the history of the people, like pop culture, movies, cultural movements etc., but Zinn studies political science, and, you know, this book is already 1200 pages and y'all know how much I hate things that are too long...