Original Zinn: Conversations on History and Politics

Based on Howard Zinn's interviews on public radio with host David Barsamian, Original Zinn brings into focus a wide range of foreign policy and domestic issues central to our lives today and showcases Zinn at his most engaging and provocative.

Touching on such diverse topics as the American war machine, civil disobedience, the importance of memory and remembering history, and the role of artists—from Langston Hughes to Dalton Trumbo to Bob Dylan—in relation to social change, Original Zinn is Zinn at his irrepressible best, the acute perception of a scholar whose impressive knowledge and probing intellect make history immediate and relevant for us all.

In these candid conversations, Zinn explores the hidden truths of American history:

• A People’s History: How Zinn uncovers the stories of workers, activists, and rebels that official histories are designed to erase.
• Anti-War Dissent: Zinn’s powerful and principled arguments against the American war machine, from Vietnam to the invasion of Iraq.
• Artists and Activism: The vital role of art in social movements, featuring discussions on Langston Hughes, Dalton Trumbo, and Bob Dylan.
• Critical Thinking: A challenge to the official narratives of power, showing readers how to question what they’ve been taught about patriotism, capitalism, and American exceptionalism.