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A Young People's History of the United States, Volume 2: Class Struggle to the War On Terror
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.
Volume 1 begins with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leads the reader through the earliest struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the 18th and 19th centuries. Volume 2 picks the thread up in the early 20th century, covering both World Wars, Vietnam, the Black Rights movement, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism. Zinn 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.
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.
Volume 1 begins with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leads the reader through the earliest struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the 18th and 19th centuries. Volume 2 picks the thread up in the early 20th century, covering both World Wars, Vietnam, the Black Rights movement, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism. Zinn 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.
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.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 31, 2019
The writing isn't terribly rich or inspiring but that's not the point. A great resource accessible to 4th grade & up.
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December 5, 2013Personally, I think this is the best history I've ever seen written for children. The book is an unapologetic look at American history from Columbus all the way up to the War on Terror under George W. Bush. Howard Zinn revolutionized the field of history when he released his "People's History of the United States"; with "Young People's History," he brings the same fire that he wrote with in the adult version to a level where 4th and 5th graders could understand.
I myself have used this book for several lesson plans and based my entire assessment plan around this book. It can be used for a multitude of things in history: straight history text, alternative perspectives in history, teaching children what evidence is and how to use it in making an argument, anything historically related really. It is completely accessible to younger students.
I put both versions on here as I consider them both one work. I will only count them as one book for the blog.
I myself have used this book for several lesson plans and based my entire assessment plan around this book. It can be used for a multitude of things in history: straight history text, alternative perspectives in history, teaching children what evidence is and how to use it in making an argument, anything historically related really. It is completely accessible to younger students.
I put both versions on here as I consider them both one work. I will only count them as one book for the blog.
September 17, 2008
Such a good book.
This book made me wish I taught US history, because it would be required outside reading.
He doesn't just blame everything on Republicans, either, he takes time to point out how much Democrats have messed stuff up to.
LOVE.
This book made me wish I taught US history, because it would be required outside reading.
He doesn't just blame everything on Republicans, either, he takes time to point out how much Democrats have messed stuff up to.
LOVE.
March 10, 2012
Again, A bit cynical for my tastes.
August 1, 2017
Great overview of the parts of 20th century US history that don't get discussed enough in school. I read this adaptation of the People's History as an adult because the regular one is very dense, and I'd readily recommend it on that basis. It seems like it would be good for kids too (which is its actual target audience).
June 25, 2017
Excellent reader for middle school students.
May 22, 2020
Great book. Very interesting to read.
February 2, 2023
此书可以给中国写作美国人权纪录作为蓝本。不过不能全翻译出版，因为在说克林顿大建监狱，任期结束有2百万在押，比例上超过任何国家，（最后加了一句）大概除了共产中国
April 13, 2014
Grades 5th or older
After reading this book one certainly gains a strong general understanding of the events which took place from the time of class struggle up until the war on terror. Written in a clear, straight forward fashion this book summarizes the main ideas and details of important historical events. However, there are a few things about this book that make it hard to implement in the classroom. First of all, there are no references! As teachers, we ingrain in our students the importance of using reliable or primary sources and giving credit where credit is due. Its a shame that with as much valuable information as there is in this book, it means essentially nothing without the proper citations. Moreover, another problem that came with this book is the lack of multiple and different perspectives. We get the point of view of an educated American; but, what about the soldier who was drafted, or the victims of Nazi Germany, or the opposing countries in the wars and revolutions of the twentieth century? Children can and will form their own interpretations and opinions given the primary source and/or unbiased explanation of history.
Moreover, if one were to incorporate this book when studying the history of the twentieth century, students should be reminded of the importance of perspective. They might be asked to think about what they've read and come up with/find another way to look at the event/situation.
By doing this students will not only practice good "general" analytic skills, but they will also apply reading strategies that enhance their comprehension, point of view, ability to make inferences, etc.
After reading this book one certainly gains a strong general understanding of the events which took place from the time of class struggle up until the war on terror. Written in a clear, straight forward fashion this book summarizes the main ideas and details of important historical events. However, there are a few things about this book that make it hard to implement in the classroom. First of all, there are no references! As teachers, we ingrain in our students the importance of using reliable or primary sources and giving credit where credit is due. Its a shame that with as much valuable information as there is in this book, it means essentially nothing without the proper citations. Moreover, another problem that came with this book is the lack of multiple and different perspectives. We get the point of view of an educated American; but, what about the soldier who was drafted, or the victims of Nazi Germany, or the opposing countries in the wars and revolutions of the twentieth century? Children can and will form their own interpretations and opinions given the primary source and/or unbiased explanation of history.
Moreover, if one were to incorporate this book when studying the history of the twentieth century, students should be reminded of the importance of perspective. They might be asked to think about what they've read and come up with/find another way to look at the event/situation.
By doing this students will not only practice good "general" analytic skills, but they will also apply reading strategies that enhance their comprehension, point of view, ability to make inferences, etc.
April 16, 2010
Howard Zinn is infamous at my school. We've been forced to read one too many excerpts from A People's History of the United States, I suppose. I like the book about as much as the next person in my class. Which of course is to say I wish every time my history teacher put a copy on my desk, it would spontaneously combust.
It's not like the desks are made of actual wood, anyway.
A Young People's History of the United States is different. Yeah, Zinn suddenly begins defining relatively simple words, but it isn't dumbed-down. Yes, there are pictures. But they're most certainly not of childish cartoons. A Young People's History is everything you loved about Zinn (the bluntness, the people, the concept of history told by the losers more than the victors), but quicker to read and easier to understand.
The title is a little misleading. This isn't your seven-year-old's history book. Nay, this isn't a book for the traditional definition of "young people" (i.e. children)--this is really A Normal People's History of the United States. A People's History of the United States for People Who Like Reading And Like History, But Don't Really Like Spending More Than Two Minutes On Every Page.
Of course, it is Howard Zinn, so I must add a warning to take everything said with a grain of salt. For an American, he's very anti-America. And a bit of a left-wing nutcase. And a bit of a conspiracy theorist. . . .
It's not like the desks are made of actual wood, anyway.
A Young People's History of the United States is different. Yeah, Zinn suddenly begins defining relatively simple words, but it isn't dumbed-down. Yes, there are pictures. But they're most certainly not of childish cartoons. A Young People's History is everything you loved about Zinn (the bluntness, the people, the concept of history told by the losers more than the victors), but quicker to read and easier to understand.
The title is a little misleading. This isn't your seven-year-old's history book. Nay, this isn't a book for the traditional definition of "young people" (i.e. children)--this is really A Normal People's History of the United States. A People's History of the United States for People Who Like Reading And Like History, But Don't Really Like Spending More Than Two Minutes On Every Page.
Of course, it is Howard Zinn, so I must add a warning to take everything said with a grain of salt. For an American, he's very anti-America. And a bit of a left-wing nutcase. And a bit of a conspiracy theorist. . . .
June 28, 2008
Let this serve as my review for both volumes. I'm glad I own them and can use them as a counterweight to other children's histories of our country, but the dry and relentlessly bleak tone make them dull and lifeless. An example: "Were the founding fathers wise and just men trying to create a balance of power? They did not want a balance, except one that kept things as they were." The uniform and monochromatic graphic style doesn't help. Perhaps more reflection on why other historians hold to conventional viewpoints and the reasons why (not to mention that most conventional viewpoints are not as black and white as indicated here) might have spiced things up and made the work more combative and less turgid. There is a part of the introduction that I do plan on using, where Zinn/Stefoff discuss what history is and what historians do. It could help some kids to understand that history is written by writers, and those writers have agendas.
October 14, 2010
Very good and readable for middle school age students or even high school English learners or those who read below grade level. It's basically a select summary of Zinn's full-length version of A People's History. There is a bit of more primary source excerpts from kids themselves, lots of union history and the best definition for liberal and conservative (which is often difficult to teach to students who don't have a framework for American politics). This volume is a fly-by-night U.S. history from WWI to the early stages of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in under 250 pages...so there is breath, but not depth. The book is good as a jumping off point for students or even adults who want a general revisionist history of the last hundred years of American exploits.
As a history buff and social studies teacher, I'd have it in my classroom.
As a history buff and social studies teacher, I'd have it in my classroom.
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April 7, 2011it was ok sometimes it was bopring but then it regained my focuse becasue then it i started learning from it and what went on in the past that i dont learn about with my ss teaher so yup but ocer all it was ok but not the best and not the worst
January 10, 2014
Somehow, this felt less densely-packed than Volume 1, perhaps because many of the facts in this one are more widely known. Still, nice to see them packaged together here along with some lesser-known ones.
August 7, 2014
Definitely great for young adults to read this and ask their own questions about our country's history and intentions. At the end, there is hopeful imagery to inspire young people to think about alternatives to what has happened in the past and to imagine a brighter, more compassionate future.
August 23, 2014
He raises a lot of interesting questions and brings an alternative history to light. He is combative, but maybe that's necessary in order to get people frustrated by the revisionist history we are taught in schools.
May 3, 2008
I look forward to reading more Zinn material!
February 18, 2010
not too in love with this young adult version and its over-simplified stories, but seeking readable history texts is a hard one. good for "how history is written" comparison studies.
September 7, 2011
Even a little better than the first.
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August 9, 2012Love the different voices and perspectives. Even if one doesn't agree with all of the perspectives, they are great for discussion and analysis.
December 4, 2014
What a wonderful book! So simple written and clarifying. I wish all war supporters read this book.
January 22, 2016
Amazing. It's not afraid to tell you what it thinks and that to me is simply brilliant
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews