Paperback, 729 pages
English language
Published Aug. 7, 2005 by HarperPerennial Modern Classics.
Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, A People's History of the United States is the only volume to tell America's story from the point of view of -- and in the words of -- America's women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, working poor, and immigrant laborers.
Zinn is clearly not trying to be evenhanded, but this volume is a great counterbalance to any standard American history. Engagingly written, still timely.
I found it enjoyable to read and interesting, but not necessarily well researched. Zinn superficially touches upon zillions of different issues, leaving me with question after question left unanswered. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it might motivate people to look at issues in more depth elsewhere. His sourcing and citations, however, are sloppily done.
If you have very little knowledge of American history, I would only read this after reading something more general for background.
