Howard Zinn Sells 1 Million

Yesterday historian and author Howard Zinn celebrated the sale of 1 million copies of "A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present". This pivotal and readable history book begins with Columbus' arrival in the "West Indies". Using the "History of the Indies", a first hand account of the conquest of Cuba as a source, Zinn exposes the truth about the destruction of the Arawak civilization. The book continues by chronicling the struggles through the country's history, looking at significant events through the eyes of the worker, the slave, the civil rights activist, the prisoner, the dissident. The history he writes is our history, the history of the struggle against oppression, the history of social change in America.

Remarkably readable, it's no surprise that it's a popular best seller. It's written narratively in a friendly and engaging style, so unlike history books from school. This book is far more than the timeline of events and profiles of the rich and famous that constitute the typical text book. It's about people and movements and very personal. It's also well researched and draws heavily from first hand accounts.

Perhaps the most significant impact the book has had on me is how much hope for the future I have found from the past. Today, we seem to be up against insurmountable forces of corruption, intolerance, belligerence and greed. It is vitally important to remember that once you could be imprisoned for speaking about birth control or speaking against the policies of our government. Once, women could not vote, and minorities were treated as second class citizens, that people died fighting for the 8 hour work day and it was finally won after 100,000 workers in NY went on strike for 4 months. Yes, we are fighting a great centralized power with a self-serving agenda, a huge military and police force and all the money. And yes, history shows that we possess the authority and power to enact change in our government, our country, our community and our lives through electoral activism and direct action.

I encourage you to read"A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present" and find the hope and encouragement that I have.

I have created a short bibliography at http://www.johnfricker.com/zinn.shtml.