Voices of a People's History of the United States

This updated companion to Howard Zinn's classic A People's History of the United States brings together the powerful words and actions of women and men of all races and creeds who, though mostly powerless themselves, have made change in America across the centuries.This second edition now contains additional voices of conscience who have spoken out over the past five years, including Camilo Mejia, the first US soldier serving in Iraq to go public with his refusal to continue fighting Bush's war; Evann Orleck-Jetter, the middle school student who testified in support of equal rights for gay and lesbian families; and Cindy Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in action in Iraq, and whose speeches galvanized sentiment against the occupation of Iraq.

Howard Zinn’s great subject isn’t war, but peace. After his experience as a bombardier in World War II more than sixty years ago, he became convinced that there could no longer be such a thing as a “just war,” because the vast majority of victims in modern warfare are, increasingly, innocent civilians. Zinn has, over the course of a lifetime of civil disobedience and authoring books, including the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, influenced four generations in the ways of peace.This edition will be promoted throughout the fall and winter by Howard Zinn, Anthony Arnove, Matt Damon, and others, as part of a coordinated effort to enlarge awareness in the United States of Howard Zinn's vision of our history. December's launch of The People Speak on the History Channel will be just one of the major events that will also include live performances, press conferences, and more.Anthony Arnove is the editor of Terrorism and War by Howard Zinn, and of Iraq Under Siege. An activist and regular contributor to ZNet, his writing has appeared in The Nation, Financial Times, and Mother Jones. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.