A Young People's History of the United States: Class Struggle to the War On Terror (Volume 2) [Hardcover]

Rebecca Stefoff (Adapter), Howard Zinn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

A Young People's History of the United States brings to US history the viewpoints of workers, slaves, immigrants, women, Native Americans, and others whose stories, and their impact, are rarely included in books for young people. A Young People's History of the United States is also a companion volume to The People Speak, the film adapted from A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
Beginning with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leading the reader through the struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism, Zinn in the volumes of A Young People’s History of the United States presents a radical new way of understanding America’s history. In so doing, he reminds readers that America’s true greatness is shaped by our dissident voices, not our military generals.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The visionary historical work of professor and activist HOWARD ZINN (1922–2010) is widely considered one of the most important and influential of our era. In his work, including A People’s History of the United States, its companion volume Voices of a People’s History of the United States, and countless other titles, Zinn affirms the power of the people to influence the course of events.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press; Seven Stories Press 1st Ed edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583227601
• ISBN-13: 978-1583227602
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Prejudice & Racism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Supplemental Reader for Young People., August 23, 2009

By 

Twitch (Far West Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Young People's History of the United States: Class Struggle to the War On Terror (Volume 2) (Hardcover)

I feel compelled to respond to some misinformation propagated by another reviewer regarding the book where it is stated that "...[the author] claims on page 209 that "The beginning of the Declaration of Independence says that 'We the people'..." 'We the people'? In the Declaration of Independence?"

The reviewer places the quote entirely out of context. The quote is from the last chapter, which is a prologue or summation of the book by the author. Thus, an opinion by the author is valid, and not some distortion of the historical record as implied. The author is not quoting the Declaration of Independence, he is making a point about it; which would be clear if you read it in context.

This is not a complete history but an overview of The history of the United States. It assumes that you already have a basic outline of historical events. It makes a good supplementary reader for a fifth grade level classroom, and provides an alternative perspective that can lead to healthy discussion. Is it opinionated? Yes. But why would anyone ever think that ANY book would be referred to as gospel? Let students know that there are many ways of presenting information and let them know how to approach the errors and biases that are in every text critically.

Volume One begins with Columbus, which, if we are talking about American History(obviously we are not)is a little late in my opinion, and it runs through the Spanish-american War(shouldn't that be the Cuban-Spanish-American-Filipino-Guam War?). Volume Two begins with "Class Struggle" and runs through the "War on Terror." That sequence itself reflects a distinct perspective. I think that perspective is healthy. To find yourself looking for and questioning the opinions expressed in this reader is a good thing. It is always good to know the difference between an opinion and a fact, and to know when the record reflects a strong bias. Perhaps a sense of cognitive dissonance is a positive step toward thinking through the historical record more critically, and not being too smug in your own opinions. The democratic process requires an informed society. Mr. Zinn doesn't appear to think that our children are very well informed, and I applaud his attempt to do something about it. Whether you agree with him or not, at least we should be talking about it proactively with our kids.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A people's history of the US since WW II., January 27, 2008

By 

C. Otten (ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Young People's History of the United States: Class Struggle to the War On Terror (Volume 2) (Hardcover)

For an older adult who can remember the fifties, this is a history that informs me of historical currents that were not obvious at the time. For young people, this is a very readable supplement to the twentieth century US history that is taught in schools.
I highly recommend this. Further similar reading might include Loewen's Lies My Teachers Taught Me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History on the March, January 17, 2011

By 

A View from Greensboro - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Young People's History of the United States: Class Struggle to the War On Terror (Volume 2) (Hardcover)

Greensboro, N.C. - Howard Zinn's A Young People's History of the United States: Class Struggle to the War on Terror (Volume 2) continues the landmark studies started in Volume I. Based on the internationally recognized A People's History of the Untited States, A Young People's History brings the social and political consequences of the American economic and political system on the working people of the United States. Balanced and forward looking, Volume 2 illustrates the struggles and gains that can be made by working class citizens when they work together. Zinn's views will excite the progressive Democratic community while vexing the conservative Democrat and Republican community members. Both sides can learn from both his and her stories told in these pages. Ideal for students fifth grade and up!