The Other Civil War: Slavery and Struggle in Civil War America

This is the second time I have read these essays, and I am so happy that Howard Zinn's children have brought them back. It is very important to know that there was always a minority report on the Civil War. I am still reading the first part: The Other Civil War. This was the first time I found out that not everybody in the South was for the secession and not everybody in the North was for keeping the South in the Union. I am actually talking about this story's inclusion in "A Peoples History of the United States. Between 1980 and now, I find it almost a given. This story speaks of the problems that working class people had trying to keep the family together and fighting the Civil War which was started and continued by rich people. It was ever thus. That the New York Draft Riot happened because as time went on it was harder for workers to make ends meet and the competition for jobs was getting harder. Racism just made it easer to find a target near by. Apparently when the soldiers came from Gettysburg to put down the riot, they did bring cannon and used it on their arrival to encourage a cessation of the riot. I am still in the middle of the book. I will finish this at another time. I do recommend the book highly.

This is one anti-war book I wish more Americans would read. The policy of continual foreign war carried on by this country is one I would like to see changed and reading this book helps clarify the issues.

Howard Zinn has done it again with his view on history very, entertaining and informative!

Haven't finished yet, but can't wait to get back to this book. Very informative.

humans with their intelligence should be able to talk about solutions to big problems without slaughtering each other.wars should should be as disgusting as cannibalism!humans should grow up....finally

Great read.

I always enjoy reading history books written by Howard Zinn. The research, and his objectivity is unmatched. How could you fix a problem,if you keep denying it exits or it never happened? Howard helps you see history from a different perspective.

This is a collection of essays and op-ed pieces previously published in books, magazines, newspapers, etc.America is primarily the country of interest here, though other Western powers are related as well.That said, this is an excellent collection. Energetically all of Zinn's writings stem against the massive tides of bureaucracy, imperialism, racism, big business, atrocities, irony, patriotism and militarism. He adeptly argues against the hypocricy of the past and the present in what I felt to be anticipation of a truly just future. His ultimate point being the need "to achieve justice, with struggle, but without war."Most the writings are concerned with World War II and Vietnam, be it policies, battles or each wars place in history. WWI, Korea, Gulf War I, Kosovo and Yugolsalvia are also written about. As well, modern politics is engaged throughout and then illuminated in the final chapter, titled Beyond Machiavellianism which includes two expansive and frightening essays on U.S. Foreign Policy and the notion of a "just war" versus and "unjust war."This is a call to common sense, pacifism and equality. Zinn presents all of his arguments against a morality that speaks to accountability, responsibility, hope, truths and the imperative of the citizenry to inform themselves and not senselessly accept our leadership's habits or predelictions.A good introduction to Zinn.