Howard Zinn died last night
A great social activist and author died last night.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/28/howard-zinn-dies
January 28th, 2010 at 8:43 AM ^
I read his People's History of the United States in high school. His views were pretty far out there (which became apparent in the later chapters), but he told a side of the story that is seldom reported.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:55 AM ^
Zinn wrote an... entertaining book with an interesting viewpoint. I appreciate his talent, although disagree with many of his propositions throughout the book itself. In any case, may God bless his soul.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^
A People's History of the United States had a pretty big influence on me in high school. It was one of the major factors that made me want to study history education, which I now am.
Has anyone read any of his other works? Original Zinn was also very good, I thought.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
A People's Hx had a huge influence on my thinking. Unlike Chomsky, who I have a lot of respect for but sometimes disagree with (often too far out there, imhe), I almost always found myself agreeing with Zinn's take on things. Telling the story of America from the viewpoint of women, Native Americans, minorities, the working class, and the poor...well...let's just say he's a personal hero of mine.
I really enjoyed Marx in Soho and Emma (about Emma Goldman). Both were short and enjoyable reads (and written in play form, IIRC).
Well, another man's done gone...
January 28th, 2010 at 10:06 AM ^
id highly recommend "you cant be neutral on a moving train"
January 28th, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^
RIP writer dude
January 28th, 2010 at 9:22 AM ^
People's History is one of those books that everyone ought to read around the time they're 18-20. You don't have to agree with his conclusions, but you owe it to yourself to at least LOOK at a flipside to the history you're taught in school. "Lies My Teacher Taught Me" by James Loewen is another good one.
I've been trying to digest Chomsky for years. Even though I'm sympathetic to his views, I think he's unrealistic.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
The one thing that is really cool here is that he lived to be 87 and was still living an active life. We should all be so lucky as to be speaking to audiences that still want to hear what we have to say at 87.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
"If you want to read a real history book, read Howard Zinn’s 'A People’s History of the United States'. That book will knock you on your ass." - Will Hunting
As sad as it sounds, that quote from "Good Will Hunting" was my impetus to read that book, and it was my first taste of Zinn. He was an amazing, contrarian mind. He will be missed.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
If I'm remembering correctly, Howard Zinn and Matt Damon were neighbors. Zinn, I *think*, babysat for Damon a few times.
January 28th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
Zinn was a giant in his field, played a major role in the education of several generations, and a great American and human being. He will be sorely missed. But to see an intelligent thread honoring his death on our Meeechigan sports blog is a tribute not just to him but to you guys, to Brian, and to our university. Don't even bother to go and search out other sports blogs throughout the internetz and look for a similar discussion. Only here will you find this combination of higher education and awareness, mixed with totally crazy, irrational fandom. I love you guys.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
You just gave me the warm fuzzies.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
RIP Howard Zinn. I got into Zinn probably about 6 or 7 years ago when rapper Immortal Technique had recommended some of his writings to me at a concert when I met him. I can say theyve been influencing.