Adapted from the bestselling grassroots history of the United States, the story of America in the world, told in comics form
Since its landmark publication in 1980, A People’s History of the United States has had six new editions, sold more than 1.7 million copies, become required classroom reading throughout the country, and been turned into an acclaimed play. More than a successful book, A People’s History triggered a revolution in the way history is told, displacing the official versions with their emphasis on great men in high places to chronicle events as they were lived, from the bottom up.
Now Howard Zinn, historian Paul Buhle, and cartoonist Mike Konopacki have collaborated to retell, in vibrant comics form, a most immediate and relevant chapter of A People’s History: the centuries-long story of America’s actions in the world. Narrated by Zinn, this version opens with the events of 9/11 and then jumps back to explore the cycles of U.S. expansionism from Wounded Knee to Iraq, stopping along the way at World War I, Central America, Vietnam, and the Iranian revolution. The book also follows the story of Zinn, the son of poor Jewish immigrants, from his childhood in the Brooklyn slums to his role as one of America’s leading historians.
Shifting from world-shattering events to one family’s small revolutions, A People’s History of American Empire presents the classic ground-level history of America in a dazzling new form.
A People's History of American Empire This book is everything I thought it would be and more. I recommend it to all but be prepared to become angry with the stories Zinn shares. The service by the vendor was great too. It was in perfect shape and delivered quickly.
Graphic Novel of a Peoples History This is basically a graphic version of a Peoples History. If you enjoy this, then you might want to actually read a Peoples History. Will open you eyes.
Finally, a fun way to study history... We have all been through history classes, and most are usually boring. This is a quick read, with a new way to look at history. This takes Howard Zinn's A People's History to the next level. The comic book style makes reading accessible to everyone. The title alone drew me in. When I received the book I couldn't believe how quick the reading went. I have shared with numerous friends, and the cool part is that we are all seminary students. I highly recommend this book for another view of American history.
Interesting, comical and biased This cartoon book is modeled on other cartoon books that have taken serious subjects and boiled them down to childish antics, such as Maus (The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale), Persepolis (Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood) and Palestine (Palestine: The Special Edition). Perhaps this reflects the readership of Mr. Zinn. But one wonders: can't those who hate America and complain about the American 'empire' read adult books that can be taken seriously and fully address the subject? There is a large genre now on the 'American empire' and this book is not original. But it has several original ways to portray the march of this 'empire'. It blames 'war profiteers' and 'corporations' for all of the imperialism. It cannot ever bring itself to show one good positive contribution of America. Thus the Civil War simply isn't included lest Zinn would have to admit that, well, yes, half a million American died freeing the slaves. He would have to admit that America was the only country in the world in which people went to war to end slavery. For the segment on World War Two there is no mention of American troops liberating the concentration camps. There is no mention of how America helped save the world from the Nazi menace and free Asia from Japanese imperialism. Instead there is only the 'war profiteers' and German victims in Dresden. This is typical rubbish and anti-American hatred that cannot give credit where credit is due. Rather than blaming the League of Nations and Italy for the destruction of Ethiopia and Italy's war against that African country this comic book blames America, a country that was in the midst of a depression and isolationist at the time. The book even has the gall to blame America for the Spanish Civil War and Franco's victory, perhaps forgetting that thousands of Americans went and volunteered and died fighting for the Republic in Spain and perhaps also forgetting that in the end the Republic was destroyed by Stalin's use of terror against its leadership. This is a conspiratorial book that offers up tripe in the form of comics in order to make people hateful towards the U.S. Zinn's sympathy must be with those people who have attacked America such as Hitler, Japanese imperialism and Islamism. How sad.
Seth J. Frantzman
Another Biased Book from Professor Zinn Educators like Howard Zinn are important because they present the view of history from the left of center or left wing point of view. What he tells is part of the story of America but it is not THE story of America. Mr. Zinn finds sinister motives in everything our country has done or is doing.
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