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Reviewers will often
call this one of the most important books they have ever read, and I concur. The late Howard Zinn, historian, playwright and former WWII USAF bombardier turned social activist, has put together a concise history of America from Columbus to Iraq in 2005. History is often written by the winners, as it measures the clash of cultures and struggles in political, economic and social arenas over time. Reading this book will make it abundantly clear that our own history, often dressed out with a strong dose of patriotism and good old Christian religion, was also written by the men who ended up in charge of things—the wealthy business tycoons, influential politicians and conquering generals. In “A People’s History,” however, Zinn revisits the familiar episodes in American history from 1492 to the present, but he tells the story from a startling new perspective—that of the losers, the poor, the powerless, the exploited and oppressed.
And who are they, one might ask in this land of equal opportunity—this land of the free? Beginning with the gentle innocence of the Arawak Indian tribes who greeted Columbus with open arms, Zinn recounts historical facts that will seldom be taught in our schools these days. Columbus, portrayed as a great explorer and one who advanced Western society at enormous personal risk, is revealed as the power-mongering, slave driving oppressor that he actually was. Indeed, his first published remarks about the Arawaks, were: “They do not bear arms and do not know them…With 50 men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” And that is exactly what Columbus proceeded to do, for it was not for cordial relations that he set sail, but for gold and power. Zinn recounts, in well researched prose, how this first American “hero” set about conquering the Arawak, forcing them to find him gold, and then enslaving virtually the entire population of 250,000 Indians on Haiti. Those that resisted were slaughtered, and others died by the thousands to support the labor of the huge estates Columbus set up called “encomiendas.” Within 23 years, the population was reduced to 50,000, and by 1550, just 58 years after Columbus landed, the hapless Arawak numbered about 500 souls.
With the same incisive, heartfelt, and revealing prose, Zinn goes on to stand with the African blacks who were shipped to America by the thousands for slave labor. He takes us to an understanding of the oppression inherent in the nation building work of the landed, the moneyed, the connected, and the politically strong, visiting the slave plantations, poor houses, houses of correction, labor unions and the plight of women, whom he calls “the intimately oppressed.” Along the way you will find yourself startled by one irrefutable fact after another, and wondering how in the world a nation founded on the glowing words of our declaration of independence, constitution, and bill of rights could have allowed such things to happen. But following Zinn through the early years, the colonies, the revolution, the Civil War, is only part of the story. Witnessing the first inklings of empire take root as the United States exerted its influence over the colonial territories of rival European nations is quite revealing. The notion of “manifest destiny,” that it was the God given destiny of Americans to expand across the continent and prosper, is clearly seen as the imperial conquest that it actually was—particularly when viewed from the perspective of the conquered.
Reading this book on into the later chapters, where Zinn recounts the exploits of other lately revered Presidents like Ronald Reagan, is also a soulful eye-opener. But far from being a liberal witch hunter, Zinn excoriates both Republican and Democratic presidents alike, examining their behavior in one clear light—the gaze of the common man who endured the consequences of their actions. To an open mind, this book can be a transformative reading experience, and at times profoundly disturbing. It sweeps away the reflexive notion that America, capitalism and even democracy have only benign intent as practiced by our leaders in this country, and it sheds new light on the real motives that often underlie the flag furling rhetoric of our politicians today.
A People’s History of the United States is a “must read” for every true patriot in America. We who pride ourselves on the virtues of freedom and equality would do well to take a second look at what our leaders have actually done with the sacred charge we have given them over the long decades of American history. Read this book… Read every word.
Review by: John Schettler
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