Howard Zinn on the Limitations of American History Books

How are traditional American history books limited?

HOWARD ZINN: The basic problem of traditional history books is that they’re nationalistic and they’re elitist. By nationalistic, I mean they look upon the world centered around us and they look upon American policy as benign.

A more realistic and more truthful history would take a look at American foreign policy over the last several hundred years, really. It will take a look at American foreign policy and see it for what it has been–expansionist, violent and militaristic. In other words, it would be a history that would be honest in the way that we expect individuals to be honest about themselves and their past and to rectify their mistakes.

Watch video at BigThink: Howard Zinn on the Limitations of American History Books

Interview by BigThink • 5/8/08