Uncommon Sense: From the Writings of Howard Zinn

by Howard Zinn, Dean Birkenkamp, Wanda Rhudy

Why Howard Zinn has become one of the most important and influential American historians is perhaps nowhere more evident than in this new book. Few social critics have been as inspiring as the ever-hopeful Zinn and, unlike many historians, Zinn turns historical details toward deeper observations on the universal truths and struggles of humankind. His remarkable wisdom and insight can be found in his earliest writings through his latest essays, speeches, and plays. Uncommon Sense brings together his most poignant and profound quotations from decades of writing and speaking. The book reveals the philosophical side of Howard Zinn and a consistency of vision over 50 years on topics ranging from government to race, history, law, civil disobedience, and activism. Offering quotations of universal and timeless quality, the book shows why history will regard this historian as a political and moral philosopher in the company of Paine, Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Philosophy

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

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

[Ryan Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

leftist, labor-loving thinker distilled into trivial little quotes. made me want to read his 'declarations of independence." not a bad little volume to have around in order to remember the necessity of, if not resistance, at least some skepticism of the powers that be

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Howard Zinn is the most influential author of my life. He is a teacher, political scientist, historian, social critic, socialist, and activist. He is truly the greatest historian of the 20th century, perhaps ever. Hundreds of years from now historians will use his writings as primary source documents when studying our time. We are so lucky to be reading them now.



This book is a collection of profound excerpts from his writings. It is similar to Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Roman Emperors.

[Nate Jordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small collection of profound excerpts ranging from history, government, war and peace, class, racism and resistance, law and justice, etc., from a selection of Zinn's books. A quick, inspirational read.