A Young People's History of the United States Volume 1

     A Young People's History of the United States Volume 1 by Howard Zinn and adapted by Rebecca Stefoff is a version of Zinn's famous book A People's History of the United States that has been changed to be specific for teenage readers.  This is a great adaptation because not only does it make accessing the text less of a struggle for students, it allows them to access a different view of American history that is not taught in the traditional textbooks of the classroom.

     Volume 1 encompasses American history from Columubs through the Spanish-American War.  Zinn and Stefoff approach the telling of history through the eyes and experiences of the powerless and marginalized instead of the powerful.  From his chapter "Tyranny is Tyranny" looking at how the American Revolution for the poor only changed who was in power and did not add freedom to how the Cherokee Indians were heroes for defending their homeland against the invaders, shows the reader a different approach to American history.  This book is highly recommended for history classes to let the students that history is never from one perspective.  

Dave Pfeiff