Its all there. But not as you are used to reading it. As Zinn himself states at the beginning of the book, this book brings you a step closer to the desperate protester who used self-immolation as an extreme protest -- in extreme desperation.
Nothing is new! The way the institutions of this country work, the Dept. of Justice, the courts, the Congress... not much has changed through the 20th century. Sadly though, a lot more remains unchanged: the fate of poor immigrants, under-paid and over-exploited workers, the disparity between the richest and the poorest, the vulgar gulf between the haves and the have-nots, the hollow, much repeated and stale rhetoric that is often blared at the people!! Those people whose story this book tries to tell.
I am going to read the expanded version of Howard Zinn's "People's history" (the one from 1492 -- this one is only about the 20th century). Partly because, the sad removal and near-extinction of the Native Indians, in its saddening and brutal details, not only makes for "interesting" history reading, but also, among a more aware people, it would lead to a lot of soul-searching and self-examination, specially as the 'leaders' of the 'People' keep embarking on new wars, and 'crusades', against other 'people' of the world. However this book is more suited for the young and "impatient" American readers, who can only read and absorb so much!! No need to read about long-forgotten Native Indians... The 20th century is full of Vietnam, Hiroshima, Iraq, and other disgraces to get you interested in history.
Unfortunately, there can never be enough of books like these. The stupor that seems to have fallen upon the whole nation, which has turned into insensitive emotionless gears of a money-making machine, needs books like these as an antidote!!!
Even if all the above does not make sense to you, as an average reader, you will surely appreciate that Professor Zinn does what every historian SHOULD do: Let History Speak for Itself!! It is gloomy, dark, ironic, sad and bitter enough, that one only needs to present it with the calm, cold, impersonal and yet effective bitterness, with which Howard Zinn's pen presents it to you!!!
A MUST-READ for EVERY American. For every person attending a college, don't think that you know about history, till you can appreciate and share the bitterness, sadness and introspection that this book would and SHOULD lead you to.
Hats off to Zinn for a great and gripping read. Can't wait to get my hands on more books by him.
