History Matters is comprised of 8 interviews conducted by Alternative Radio between August 2002 and February 2005. While the title led me to believe it would focus on discussing issues with the politicization of history, it was actually mostly focused around the lead up to and eventual invasion of Iraq.
The book was good, Zinn is an engaging man and is great at summing up how I feel about things in a much more laconic way than I could. That said, I didn't feel as though I really learned much from this book. It's the kind of book that is geared toward the exact people who don't need to read it.
I would recommend it to someone who's just beginning to understand that the People's history is not taught in High School. I will continue to read Zinn as I have done for years, but will stick with books that are a little more specific and in depth.
"Here in the United States, we are brought up to believe that our nation is different from others, an exception in the world, uniquely moral; that we expand into other lands in order to bring civilization, liberty, democracy. But if you know some history, you know that's not true. If you know some history, you know we massacred Indians on this continent, invaded Mexico, sent armies into Cuba and the Philippines. We killed huge numbers of people, and we did not bring them democracy or liberty. We did not go into Vietnam to bring democracy; we did not invade Panama to stop the drug trade; we did not invade Afghanistan and Iraq to stop terrorism. Our aims were the aims of all the other empires of world history - more profit for corporations, more power for politicians."
7/10
YTD:
Books read : 15
Pages read : 4,642
Currently reading : One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez & You Back the Attack, We'll Bomb Who We Want - Micah Ian Wright
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