Conversations with History: Howard Zinn

oldstock1607 Says:

Aug 21, 2011 - We don't truly take him seriously because he is a polemicist.

papelhojas Says:

Aug 22, 2011 - that is a fair point, and you're probably not wrong i think (and at this point i would also like to admit that i am not an expert on the matter), but it seems to me that a project like the peoples history necessitates that sort of polemic writing because it is looking at history through a different sort of lens, it rejects the premises that are well established and considers a different historical paradigm, but then again i, admittedly, havent read all the most recent scholarship.

oldstock1607 Says:

Aug 22, 2011 - Indeed, everything that appears in "A People's History" is true and accurate. But the book, despite its popularity, little more than a catologue of Anglo-American crimes against non-white peoples. It is famous BECAUSE it is a polemic, and unfortunately that sort of anglo-bashing plays far too prominent a role in history teaching today. There are leftist profs out there that feel that everything American kids need to know about their nation's history can be found in Zinn's book.

papelhojas Says:

Aug 22, 2011 - that is true, and i think that it is apparent to some degree that i have sympathy for the professors and teachers that you are talking about, and also agree that sometimes their bias does color their lessons, but nearly without exception (in my experience) the aforementioned educators were available only at a college level. History, as it is studied in high school and before, seems to me to be shaded with a sort of western righteousness, and i think its important to self examine

MastroCicio Says:

Sep 7, 2011 - your arrogance is amazing

PremiseTester Says:

Sep 7, 2011 - I've read Howard Zinn books. And I've read Ron Paul books. Strange, but I think if they met, they'd be friends. They're both skeptical of power-seekers, intelligent, sincere, and too good at writing to be very engaging interviewees. Plus they disagree enough to keep each other interested. Just a thought.

Obeeone1 Says:

Sep 22, 2011 - Those who are condeming conservatives and foxnews and Glenn Beck followers, please lissten to your words carefully. Y'all are damning ones ideas, because of your own ideas. Instead, how about give intellegent debating material, and just talk about it? Why bash one for just simple ideas? For their beliefs? We all have them. We TALK about ideas instead of fighting over them. This is what SEPERATES us from animals. Be civialized.

arenasification Says:

Sep 28, 2011 - we are animals

oldstock1607 Says:

Oct 27, 2011 - Yes, luckily. A book caled "A People's History of the United States" is his magnum opus.

croppingbeef Says:

Nov 9, 2011 - LOVE the intro song

ezzerdamoose Says:

Nov 15, 2011 - i appreciate what you're saying but the typically the people you are mentioning are ideologues and propagandists completely devoid of any intellectual curiosity will not be able to see anything that does not reinforce what they already 'know'. They have no critical approach to the problems they discuss. They are effective at politics because they know how to play on pathos, to tap into and hijack the discourse by manipulating emotional undercurrents. US Leftists do this too but less.

ezzerdamoose Says:

Nov 15, 2011 - I think you are right. Both Paul and Zinn are honest intellectuals. They may have very different politics but they would be able to have an amazing conversation, I'm sure of it. I cannot say that about anyone else in the GOP leadership race today.

MsZeitgeist85 Says:

Nov 25, 2011 - I wish Howard had lived to see the Occupy Movement.

Schwyndfst Says:

Dec 18, 2011 - I believe that values and knowledge learnt in the elementary school years define your character; in that sense, exposing children to any kind of socialist ideas or values is a form of child abuse, this Zinn guy could have been saved, instead he went on to become one of the prominent socialist of USA.

BobbyMissions Says:

Jan 1, 2012 - yeah, unfortunately, I did not find this stuff out till after a stint in the US Marines, then a tour in the US Army. I was fighting because I was indoctrinated into believing that we were right, that might makes right and that there is no one who can question the God given direction of the USA. Propaganda works, we learned well. Today the news is not news, it is manufactured consent and i won't listen any more. Keep listening, please.

ericfeinberg28 Says:

Jan 13, 2012 - good for you. i wish i was at that stage by 16.

lolXDimcool Says:

Jan 15, 2012 - Jeez, I'm 15 and I used to be into philosophy and questioning before I came to politics, and now I'm hooked on Zinn. Everything he says and stands for is captivating for me, he speaks the truth.

niknakde1st Says:

Jan 24, 2012 - Good for you and yes, he is a wellspring of experience, strength, hope and a reality of truth that we must all learn to embrace. I only regret that I never met him in person. What an amazing human being.

madhippy3 Says:

Jan 25, 2012 - I share this to friends over Facebook but unfortunately it seems that wanting to expand my understanding of social conflicts and becoming class conscious is abnormal for someone that has just graduated high school. So my friends ignore this, shame shame shame.

ehpl Says:

Feb 16, 2012 - Integrity, honesty, passion, intelligence -- lovely stuff.

Medvetz63 Says:

Feb 28, 2012 - @Schwyndfst,Zinn was saved: He rejected the sick, degenerate culture of death that is joyously embraced by the belly crawling, boot licking degenerate pestilence that makes up the majority of AmeriKKKa's populace.

trumpet152 Says:

Mar 28, 2012 - Annoying troll is annoying.

sabasado Says:

Apr 20, 2012 - do not listen to him, accept glenn bech and be happy.

DJWEBSTAR914 Says:

May 24, 2012 - HARRY KREISLER IS A BOSS