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You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times Paperback – September 5, 2002

by Howard Zinn (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 312 ratings
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You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times
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Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, tells his personal stories about more than thirty years of fighting for social change, from teaching at Spelman College to recent protests against war.

A former bombardier in WWII, Zinn emerged in the civil rights movement as a powerful voice for justice. Although he's a fierce critic, he gives us reason to hope that by learning from history and engaging politically, we can make a difference in the world.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Beacon Press
  4. Publication date
    September 5, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.57 x 8.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0807071277
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0807071274
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A powerful, politically electric book from one of the most engaging social critics in the nation."—Jonathan Kozol

"A history and a history maker to give us hope."—Alice Walker

"Zinn explains his involvement in the struggles for civil rights, against war, and in support of organized labor by citing his 'abhorrence of any kind of bullying.' These are lively tales."—Patricia O'Connell, The New York Times

"Pick up this book! Start reading it! I guarantee you won't stop. The most influential teacher I've ever had continues to teach us about life and humanity and hope."—Marian Wright Edelman

"A teacher who committed his politically engaged life to the belief that love is a command to action.—Colman McCarthy, The Washington Post

"A personal favorite. This autobiography by the great activist and historian...provides an eloquent, personal account of the struggles for civil rights and against the Vietnam War, and a universal paean to protest and resistance."—Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive

About the Author

Howard Zinn (1922–2010) was a world-renowned historian, author, playwright, and social activist best known for A People’s History of the United States. His many highly acclaimed books include Three Strikes (with Dana Frank and Robin D. G. Kelley).
 
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor is an assistant professor in Princeton University’s Center for African American Studies and the author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beacon Press; First Edition (September 5, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807071277
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807071274
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.57 x 8.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 312 ratings

About the author

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Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn

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Howard Zinn (1922-2010) was a historian, playwright, and activist. He wrote the classic A People's History of the United States, "a brilliant and moving history of the American people from the point of view of those ... whose plight has been largely omitted from most histories" (Library Journal). The book, which has sold more than two million copies, has been featured on The Sopranos and Simpsons, and in the film Good Will Hunting. In 2009, History aired The People Speak, an acclaimed documentary co-directed by Zinn, based on A People's History and a companion volume, Voices of a People's History of the United States.

Zinn grew up in Brooklyn in a working-class, immigrant household. At 18 he became a shipyard worker and then flew bomber missions during World War II. These experiences helped shape his opposition to war and passion for history. After attending college under the GI Bill and earning a Ph.D. in history from Columbia, he taught at Spelman, where he became active in the civil rights movement. After being fired by Spelman for his support for student protesters, Zinn became a professor of Political Science at Boston University, were he taught until his retirement in 1988.

Zinn was the author of many books, including an autobiography, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train, the play Marx in Soho, and Passionate Declarations. He received the Lannan Foundation Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Eugene V. Debs award for his writing and political activism.

Photographer Photo Credit Name: Robert Birnbaum.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
312 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book wonderful, interesting, and enjoyable to read. They describe the story as inspirational, insightful, and powerful. Readers also appreciate the writing style as lively and direct.

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ReadabilityInspirational storyWriting style
20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, interesting, and enjoyable to read. They say it's a great companion piece to his greatest work, A People's History of the United States.

"...that, like the life itself, are funny, profoundly serious, and enjoyable to read...." Read more

"...That truly had a profound impact on Zinn. This was a great book and cab truly broaden ones perspective on the events that made us what we are..." Read more

"Excellent book depicting an interesting behind the scenes story about the truth and the ordinary men and women whom you do not see nor read about or..." Read more

"This was a nice, clean copy of the book, delivered very quickly." Read more

9 customers mention "Inspirational story"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the story inspirational, insightful, and powerful. They also appreciate the writing style, experiences, and pace. Readers mention the book depicts an interesting behind-the-scenes story about the truth.

"This is a powerful story about an activist, humanist, professor and author who has a long history of telling the raw truth about our collective US..." Read more

"Excellent book depicting an interesting behind the scenes story about the truth and the ordinary men and women whom you do not see nor read about or..." Read more

"...His life story in this book is both fascinating as well as a source of crucial American history." Read more

"...he will not be forgotten. this book is an intensely personalone , and everyone one should read it who is interested in justice and peace...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style lively, direct, and easy to read.

"Zinn writes with clarity and eloquence...." Read more

"...The prose is lively and direct. It is a more accessible road to his views and interpretations than his People's History of the United States." Read more

"...The world needs more people like him. He writes beautifully and although I was born two decades after the civil rights movement and live a continent..." Read more

"...I love the writing style, the experiences, the pace. That's two thumbs up from me." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Gabriela Pereira Leite
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
I had to read this book for a history class, and to put it nicely, I don't tend to enjoy learning about history, partially because it's either distorted to seem pretty or presented with facts and therefore absolutely depressing. I approached this book the same way I do any other history book: with the assumption that I would skim through it.

Boy, was I wrong.

Less than one chapter in, I accepted the fact that I would be enjoying this book thoroughly and spending time giving thought to its words. This book gives facts and facts that would normally be depressing, were it not for Zinn's reminder of the people who individually made a difference. He presents story after story that will empower any individual, and make anyone appreciate the many individuals who took a stand and made sacrifices for where we are today.

It is not sugarcoated and it is not overly idealistic, but it is a story of how passion, over the years, made a tremendous impact on history.

Strongly recommend for anyone who feels like giving up on society or humanity, or anyone who needs a push to do what they know is right.
53 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Howard Zinn Autobiography
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019
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This is a powerful story about an activist, humanist, professor and author who has a long history of telling the raw truth about our collective US history. In his widely acclaimed book, "The People's History of the United States", Zinn takes us through the real tale of Christopher Columbus through the early 21st century political chicanery. You may not agree with Zinn's every opinion but will recognize that he speaks with both authority and integrity. I highly recommend this book.
11 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
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Highly recommend
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FRS
4.0 out of 5 stars FRS
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
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Political education.
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Stacey H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Zinn is timeless.
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020
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Zinn writes with clarity and eloquence. His personal and passionate defense of freedom, commitment to education and refusal to be defeated and pessimistic give us hope.
2 people found this helpful
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Eric M. Mann
5.0 out of 5 stars Howard Zinn a friend, comrade, and political giant
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2010
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Howard Zinn, who died just recently at the age of 87, lived to see his amazing A People's History of the United States, with 2 million copies sold, made into the TV production, The People Speak. This is not a formal autobiography but a series of essays about his life that, like the life itself, are funny, profoundly serious, and enjoyable to read. Howard and I wrote a column for the Boston Globe, "Left Field Stands" in which we alternated every Friday writing columns, in 1972-1974. The Globe took a risk having its first true Left columnists and the column was so successful that after 2 years, Howard and I were fired. He mentions this in the book. For the 2 million who have read A People's History this is an entertaining and moving picture of an exceptional life of commitment.
Eric Mann
14 people found this helpful
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Sam Motes
5.0 out of 5 stars eye opening read
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2013
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Zinn truly did have a front row seat to history that he embraced. Zinn continues to focus on the individual and small acts that build to a crescendo of action. His involvement in civil rights and the anti war movement was eye opening. I had heard of the use of napalm on Royan but never knew Zinn was one of the American's that dropped the ordinance. That truly had a profound impact on Zinn. This was a great book and cab truly broaden ones perspective on the events that made us what we are today and a true cautionary tail of what can happen if we don't take action.
14 people found this helpful
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Real People Making a Real Difference!
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2015
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Excellent book depicting an interesting behind the scenes story about the truth and the ordinary men and women whom you do not see nor read about or are mentioned in history books or given credit to by the known hero's of the civil rights movement. The real power behind the movement were ordinary people with real courage and willingness to stand up for their rights as American citizens, and for that matter, as ordinary human beings. Enough was enough! The power of the individual's Zinn had written about, their human will was amazing as well as inspiring!
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

saszar
5.0 out of 5 stars Opinion!!
Reviewed in Spain on December 4, 2018
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Howard Zinn never, never, never anybody down
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality publication
Reviewed in Australia on July 9, 2021
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A quality product and excellent sercvice.
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D. H. Lester
5.0 out of 5 stars As a Boomer I watched (mostly from a safe distance) ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2015
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As a Boomer I watched (mostly from a safe distance) as the train of change as moved through the United States in the 60's. I have watched with sadness as the train has been derailed by politics, religion, and activist fatigue. Reading Howard Zinn's remarkable story and getting a dose of his infectious enthusiasm for life and honest dialogue has helped me reconnect with the core issues of dignity and real community. This book is a primer for anyone who seeks positive social change, and an an antidote for malaise for older readers.
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Daviey
5.0 out of 5 stars You can't be neutral even if you try.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2013
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Howard Zinn, and this book in particular, does not need my review. He doesn't need me to say "life changing", "thought provoking" or any other meaningless buzz-words. He doesn't need anything from any of us, except the agreement that we will try to be better as human beings. Whether you agree with his politics or not, read this book and think about why you are the way you are.
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Norman Peter Blair
5.0 out of 5 stars Re-writing American history
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2015
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While telling unhappy truths about American history Zinn gives us hope that change is possible. Young people should read this to what is possible and old people should read this book to find hope and inspiration.
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