A People’s History of the United States

[ousdahl]

Anyone familiar?

Anyone read it?

I guess this Howard Zinn cat tried to write a history book based on the perspectives not of historical big names, but of people

e.g. he focuses less on Columbus, and more on the Natives; less on the slave owners but more on the slaves, etc.

At least that’s how far I got so far

[ousdahl]

He includes a lot of accounts from explorers and missionary types about how egalitarian and generous the Native American communities were, and were to early colonial settlers.

I can’t help but wonder…

(Not to mention how conceitedly brutal the settlers were to the natives)

[ousdahl]

And to be fair, part of my “can’t help but wonder” is whether he’s portraying Native Americans as more peaceful and harmonious than they really were.

I only say so cuz I kinda get the feeling this Qusdahl has an axe to grind

[Cascadia]

Seems interesting, just added it to my list of books to read.

[digitalkookie]

Yes, great read.

I was actually fortunate enough to meet Zinn years ago at a symposium. Had a signed copy...not sure what happened to it

[ousdahl]

cool!

I figured I would like this book after I read his first one, Zinn and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

wait nm that's by a totally different author.

[KUTradition]

He includes a lot of accounts from explorers and missionary types about how egalitarian and generous the Native American communities were, and were to early colonial settlers.

I can’t help but wonder…

(Not to mention how conceitedly brutal the settlers were to the natives)

it’s [not so] amazing how quickly hospitality disappears in the face of disease, enslavement, rape, forced assimilation, and cultural genocide

[dolomite]

He includes a lot of accounts from explorers and missionary types about how egalitarian and generous the Native American communities were, and were to early colonial settlers.

I can’t help but wonder…

(Not to mention how conceitedly brutal the settlers were to the natives)

it’s [not so] amazing how quickly hospitality disappears in the face of disease, enslavement, rape, forced assimilation, and cultural genocide

Yeah, well Custer got what he deserved.