A Young People's History of the United States, Vol. 1: Columbus to the Spanish-American War (Hardcover)

~ Rebecca Stefoff (Adapter), (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, New York, African Americans (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Praise for A People’s History of the United States:

“Professor Zinn writes with an enthusiasm rarely encountered in the leaden prose of academic history, and his text is studded with telling quotations from labor leaders, war resisters and fugitive slaves. There are vivid descriptions of events that are usually ignored.”—Eric Foner, The New York Times Book Review

Howard Zinn’s first book for young adults is a retelling of US history from the viewpoints of slaves, workers, immigrants, women, and Native Americans with color images, a glossary, and primary sources. Volume one begins with a look at Christopher Columbus’ arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians and leads the reader through the strikes and rebellions of the industrial age.

Young People's History of the US

About the Author

Howard Zinn is the author of numerous books, including his epic masterpiece, A People's History of the United States, as well as many recent books published by Seven Stories Press: Voices of a People's History of the United States and Terrorism and War, and The Zinn Reader. He is a professor emeritus of political science at Boston University.

Rebecca Stefoff is the author of many books for children and young adults, including a biography of the Shawnee chieftain Tecumseh and her adaptation of Ronald Takaki's award-winning history of Asian Americans, Strangers from a Different Shore.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press; Seven Stories Press 1st Ed edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583227598
• ISBN-13: 978-1583227596
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #208,755 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true history of the "people.", February 8, 2008

By	a distorted spirit - See all my reviews

For so many groups of people who never got a chance to see themselves in history textbooks, Zinn's A Young People's History is a gem. Far from being "leftist" or "radical," his book tells this nation that it is ok to confront the less-than-humane paths America has taken on its quest for world recognition.

55 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Work and Much Needed, October 31, 2007

By	JiggerCragen "truth will out" - See all my reviews

As with all of Mr. Zinn's works, this series is clearly written and thorough. Mr. Zinn's writing is very readable, it is always reminiscent of his own pace and phrasing as he speaks. I had been hoping for something like this for a long time. I have given away quite a few copies of The People's History of the United States, but was at a loss for what to do for younger readers. It was proposed by a friend that these books are so constructed and easy to read and understand that maybe even one of the still-confused right-wing supporters might be able to finally get it. In the U.S.A. all most people get is a highly inaccurate and mythologized public school American History education. It is no wonder that they fall victim to Fox news and the propaganda machine of the present regime. They have no frame of reference to weigh facts and spin. They might even actually believe that "They hate us for our "freedoms" and other laughable sound bites. Events do not occur in a vacuum. Truthful history is all we have to clarify and help us learn to prevent the mistakes of the past. The young are our hope so they must be informed.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Primer, December 12, 2007

By	A Reader (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This book and its companion Volume 2 are the perfect introduction to US history. Based on Zinn's larger work, this focuses on a younger audience. It is informative and provides prospective that is different than the material taught in schools. Every child in the US should read these books.