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Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, tells his personal stories about more than thirty years of fighting for social change, from teaching at Spelman College to recent protests against war.
A former bombardier in WWII, Zinn emerged in the civil rights movement as a powerful voice for justice. Although he's a fierce critic, he gives us reason to hope that by learning from history and engaging politically, we can make a difference in the world.
| Preface 2002 | ||
| Introduction: The Question Period in Kalamazoo | 1 | |
| Pt. 1 | The South and the Movement | |
| 1 | Going South: Spelman College | 15 |
| 2 | "Young Ladies Who Can Picket" | 26 |
| 3 | "A President Is Like a Gardener" | 37 |
| 4 | "My Name Is Freedom": Albany, Georgia | 46 |
| 5 | Selma, Alabama | 56 |
| 6 | "I'll Be Here": Mississippi | 69 |
| Pt. 2 | War | |
| 7 | A Veteran against War | 87 |
| 8 | "Sometimes to Be Silent Is to Lie": Vietnam | 103 |
| 9 | The Last Teach-In | 115 |
| 10 | "Our Apologies, Good Friends, for the Fracture of Good Order" | 126 |
| Pt. 3 | Scenes and Changes | |
| 11 | In Jail: "The World Is Topsy-Turvy" | 141 |
| 12 | In Court: "The Heart of the Matter" | 151 |
| 13 | Growing Up Class-Conscious | 163 |
| 14 | A Yellow Rubber Chicken: Battles at Boston University | 183 |
| 15 | The Possibility of Hope | 197 |
| Acknowledgments | 210 | |
| Index | 211 |
Anonymous
Posted January 30, 2004
What lessons, if any, do past social movements teach American citizens? Is change feasible in today¿s society? Howard Zinn attempts to answer these two questions, along with a number of others, in his book entitled 'You Can¿t Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times.' A beautifully written and inspirational book, 'You Can¿t Be Neutral on a Moving Train' is quintessential Zinn¿direct, yet optimistic. Zinn¿s central argument is that we are all capable of participating in change, however, for change to occur, we must all experience a social and political reawakening. Zinn¿s book offers the reader a more hopeful version of politics and society. Yet, such a version is only feasible if we, as Americans, actively participate in the political process. This involvement will fill ones soul with a sense of meaning, and in the end will create a better world for all to live in. For those interested in the history of American society, politics, and social justice issues, 'You Can¿t Be Neutral on a Moving Train' is a marvelous book filled with inspiration.
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Overview
Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, tells his personal stories about more than thirty years of fighting for social change, from teaching at Spelman College to recent protests against war.
A former bombardier in WWII, Zinn emerged in the civil rights movement as a powerful voice for justice. Although he's a fierce critic, he gives us reason to hope that by learning from history and engaging politically, we can make a ...