Tributes to People's Historian Howard Zinn, 1922

1/30/2010 Tributes to People's Historian Howard Zinn, 1922 - 2010

The best human being I've ever known. The best example of what a human can be, and can do with their life. - Daniel Ellsberg from A Memory of Howard

Howard Zinn broadened the battle when he claimed conventional U.S. texts and school courses failed by celebrating wars, legislation, Presidents, generals and captains of industry. He stood history back on its feet when he told on how masses of American women and men, people of color and poor whites built the country first as slaves and indentured servants, and then as mill hands, assembly line workers and maids. He further antagonized traditional scholars by rejoicing in the disobedience of slave rebels, union organizers and radical civil rights and anti-war agitators. He found dissidents to be America's real patriots and democrats -- not the George Washingtons, Thomas Jeffersons and Andrew Jacksons who talked of liberty while they traded in slaves, and sent posses after those who escaped. - William Loren Katz from Changing History

He really conveyed to everyone he came into contact with that there was no more meaningful action than to be involved in struggle, no more fulfilling or important way of living one’s life than in struggle fighting for justice. And so many people, myself included, but, you know, millions of people around the world, countless number of people, they changed their lives by encountering Howard Zinn—Howard changed their lives—reading A People’s History of the United States, hearing one of his lectures, meeting him, hearing him on the radio, reading an article he wrote. He really inspired people to create the kinds of movements that brought about whatever rights, whatever freedoms, whatever liberties we have in this country. And that really is the legacy that it’s incumbent upon all of us to extend and keep alive and keep vibrant. - Anthony Arnov from DemocracyNow!.

Anyone who believes that the United States is immune to radical politics never attended a lecture by Howard Zinn...What matters is not who's sitting in the White House. What matters is who's sitting in!" he would say with a mischievous grin. - Dave Zirin from Howard Zinn: The Historian Who Made History

His writings have changed the consciousness of a generation, and helped open new paths to understanding and its crucial meaning for our lives. When action has been called for, one could always be confident that he would be on the front lines, an example and trustworthy guide. - Noam Chomsky quoted by Mark Feeney and Bryan Marquard from Howard Zinn, historian who challenged status quo, dies at 87

No American historian has left a more lasting positive legacy on our understanding of the true nature of our country, mainly because his books reflect a soul possessed of limitless depth. Howard's People's History Of The United States will not be surpassed. As time goes on new chapters will be written in its spirit to extend its reach. - Harvey Wasserman from How the Great Howard Zinn Made All Our Lives Better

A People's History of the United States
Howard Zinn
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You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train
Howard Zinn
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Passionate Declarations
Howard Zinn
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The Zinn Reader
Howard Zinn
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Three Plays: The Political Theater of Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
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