Postwar America: 1945-1971

by Howard Zinn, Jack P. Greene (Foreword by)

Howard Zinn’s unique take on this vital period in U.S. history, with a new introduction. The postwar boom in the U.S. brought about massive changes in U.S. society and culture. In this accessible volume, historian Howard Zinn offers a view from below on these vital years in American history. By critically examining U.S. militarism abroad and racism at home, he raises challenging questions about this often romanticized era.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Howard Zinn was an American historian, playwright, philosopher, socialist intellectual and World War II veteran. He was chair of the history and social sciences department at Spelman College, and a political science professor at Boston University. Zinn wrote more than 20 books, including his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States in 1980. In 2007, he published a version of it for younger readers, A Young People's History of the United States.

Zinn described himself as "something of an anarchist, something of a socialist. Maybe a democratic socialist." He wrote extensively about the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement and labor history of the United States. His memoir, You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Beacon Press, 1994), was also the title of a 2004 documentary about Zinn's life and work. Zinn died of a heart attack in 2010, at the age of 87.

Reviews

[Corbin Routier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a history book more enticing than anything Howard Zinn has written. His absolute dedication to telling the story of how people lived is more convincing than any discourse on the past of any politician. The reality of what he describes seems so realistic. The dates are only there to give reference. The legendary names of heroes and villains are only used to paint you into a broader picture. If history books were written like this I'm sure more people would read them.

[Ryan O'Malley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic history of America from 1945-1971. The book is broken up thematically rather than chronologically. I really appreciated his summary of American intervention abroad. He gives quick insights into the destabilizing influence the US has had in especially Latin American countries. He also covers everything from the civil rights movement, Vietnam, women’s rights, economic equality and others. Zinn also weaves in a critique of American liberalism that feels very relevant especially with the war in Gaza.