Rating: 
Summary: Zinn is truthful, but unbalanced; accessible, but simplistic
Review: This book is a catalog of every negative event relating to American history, described from a neo-Marxist perspective. Zinn argues that it is necessary to focus solely upon the negative to balance the "patriotic" history taught in schools; however, as a recent product of the public school system, I was made well aware of the horrors of slavery, the Native American genocide, and other atrocities (alongside positive developments). I have concerns about the judgment of an individual who writes, in 1997: "In an economic system not rationally planned for human need, but developing fitfully, chaotically out of the profit motive, there seemed to be no way to avoid recurrent booms and slumps." By repeating the longstanding Marxist mantra regarding crises, he makes it apparent that he has no understanding of the events of the last decade. Zinn's style is breezy and accessible--he is an excellent advocate, but one whose complete lack of balance is unsettli! ! ng.
Rating: 
Summary: Unbalanced Overall
Review: This is a pretty unbalanced and simplistic book that only roots-out the truth in a very superficial manner. Historians will certainly dismiss the method here and find many conclusions laughable. Some of the historical interpretation left me stunned. The truth _is_ hard to take but the truth here remains well hidden beneath scores of inaccuracies, discounted mythology, and baseless personal rants. Extremely silly stuff and highly attractive to the uninformed conspiracy nut to whom it should be dedicated.
Rating:
Summary: Episodic, antithetical diatribe - with added questions!
Review: To those who will read this review: this review was written specifically for the "Abridged Teaching Edition", which is rather different from the full version in both length and content. The type is bigger, the chapters are smaller (thus "abridged"), and at the end of each there is a section of rather simplistic discussion questions (whose idea was this?).I completely agree with Zinn's thesis, but can't say the same about his approach. This history book is divided into episodic chapters, the only link being their arrangement in chronological order. Some chapters take the detailed, small scale approach, while others aim at the grand scale and describe "general trends" in rather vague terms. In other words, the only logical way to read this book with the goal of learning something is either to read it as a supplement to another text, or already possessing a rich store of knowledge on the subject. In his approach Zinn reduces every subject into a flat, two-dimensional semblance that reflects his opinion - and he does a fairly good job of engineering everything to fit his opinion. And since his thesis is to focus on the oppressed and the neglected, you should get ready for some really grim history. Nevertheless, there are a few chapters where he seemingly forgets to add the "grimness filter", and what the reader ends up reading is vague, abstract history (as in "Tyranny Is Tyranny"). The idea of adding a questions section to Zinn's book seems laughable and absurd, but, alas, it's there. THESE "QUESTIONS" ARE ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC! They follow the course of the chapter, most of them simply repeating various sentences in question form! A moderately interesting history book that was deeply hurt by abridgement.
Rating: 
Summary: Herstory and History from the bottom up
Review: Unlike the reader from Cal Berkeley, I am willing to give my name, Dan Krejci, my location, Boise, Idaho, and that as a graduate student in history I have found Howard Zinn's fabulous textbook a great asset to both my research and my pedagogy. This is the textbook that Todd Gitlin, Gary Nash, and myself have been looking for as a guiding light to a history curriculum that will embrace American multiculturalism and demystify the antiquated Bancroftian historiography that perpetuates old myths rather than deal with new realities. Zinn's history is a small step for humankind and a giant step away from Rankean orthodoxy. Zinn's book is a cry for a rejuvenation of our discipline where interdisciplinary studies are paralleling the pluralism that makes up American values and style and need to be addressed in both the classroom and the boardroom.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Economic History
Review: Zinn's book is an essential antidote to the standard histories that glorify the elites and ignore the working people and all of the other folks who have been trampled on during our history. I highly recommend the abridged edition for use in classes -- it contains the same analysis with fewer supporting examples, and is thus easier for students to get through.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Economic History
Review: Zinn's book is an essential antidote to the standard histories that glorify the elites and ignore the working people and all of the other folks who have been trampled on during our history. I highly recommend the abridged edition for use in classes -- it contains the same analysis with fewer supporting examples, and is thus easier for students to get through.
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