The Future of History

by Howard Zinn, David Barsamian

Interviews focusing on the last century take a look at history from the standpoint of the ordinary people of the country

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Howard Zinn was an American historian, playwright, philosopher, socialist intellectual and World War II veteran. He was chair of the history and social sciences department at Spelman College, and a political science professor at Boston University. Zinn wrote more than 20 books, including his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States in 1980. In 2007, he published a version of it for younger readers, A Young People's History of the United States.

Zinn described himself as "something of an anarchist, something of a socialist. Maybe a democratic socialist." He wrote extensively about the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement and labor history of the United States. His memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Beacon Press, 1994), was also the title of a 2004 documentary about Zinn's life and work. Zinn died of a heart attack in 2010, at the age of 87.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Howard Zinn. He is plain spoken with a self-deprecating sense of humor, while maintaining an anti-capitalist, radical edge.

Of course, I appreciated:
"Very often people ask me, Where can I get information? I tell them, Go to the library."

[History Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good and opened my eyes to a few things that I didn't know about. I am really glad I read this book!!!

[James Bechtel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars.

[Mina Repice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zinn is extremely insightful and does an excellent job at making his ideas accessible. I love his emphasis on the utility of literature in our understanding of history.

[Sam Plauche · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of interviews with Howard Zinn done by David Barsamian, the host of Alternative Radio—an apparent indie and left-leaning news station. This book on one hand acts as a sort of biography of Howard Zinn while also acting as a pointed analyzation of his thought process, as you would hope from a good interview. I really enjoyed hearing Zinn’s unfettered thoughts on things here, and I thought both his summarization on leftist ideologies and his thoughts on how biases impact journalism and historians were great, as well as the history to be learned! On biases, Zinn goes in on how we all have biases, and it’s especially true in journalistic or historical pursuits just by what one chooses to highlight or omit. In talking about his book “A People’s History of the United States,“ he talks about his clear biases to working class people and minority groups in this book, and how he feels that’s necessary in that book due to the fact that most United States history does not approach the subject of it’s past with biases to the marginalized. Therefore, his hope is that “A People’s History” can act as a needed counterweight to the propagandized history of the state we are normally spoon fed.

I felt he, in his answers, over-simplified some complex topics to a point that became unfair, specifically that of democracy within revolutionary governments, but also I do lend that to the nature of a 154 page interview style book. 4.5/5 if I could rate it that. Highly recommend.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for free while strolling back to my temporary home in Park Slope from a girl who was trying to catch up with cultural studies and was left with some tasty reads. She was practically giving them away! This is an easy read that hits on Zinn's main talking points, but also sheds light onto his personal history, as well. I am just skimming through it right now, makes for a good subway read.

[Stephanie Scelza]

These pamphlets in general just have so much info packed in, which is great if you're in the right space.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting interviews with a most liberal and delightful historian.