Comments on: Hollywood, Howard Zinn, and AP History

By: Emma Coogan

Emma Coogan — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:09:49 +0000

I’m interested to see how well Zinn’s book will translate onto the big screen. I hope that Zinn’s perspective isn’t changed because of hollywood’s demands. I think that the writers, directors, etc. need to make sure to stress that Zinn’s people’s history is biased. It doesn’t seem like they will, instead it seems like they will try to hide his biases with historical texts. I found it interesting to hear Zinn talking about his book and the film to come. I respect Zinn’s ability to put it right in your face. I’m very interested to see how the film turns out and to what extent it parallels A people’s History. Although I’m interested I can’t see myself sitting down several times to see the mini series, It’d probably be more affective to have a movie on a people’s history. I think overall it’s going to be hard to capture the public’s attention, but with Ben Afleck and Matt Damon’s help I’m sure the mini series will find some success.

By: Hillary

Hillary — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:51:12 +0000

I love Howard Zinn’s book and can’t wait for the mini-series to come out. I realize its bias, as does Zinn as he says in the NPR report, and also like Zinn I can’t wait to see the country’s reaction that he predicts will be very scandalized. The influence of Matt Damon and other actors will hopefully make the mini-series a hit. Brinkley gives a good over-view from a fairly neutral perspective, and I love seeing our nation’s past in a new light in A People’s History. Sure it can challenges images of the brave Columbus, wonderful founding fathers, and so on, but just like Zinn does we can pick and choose our take on history from what we know. It’s best to make an intelligent decision with knowing all the choices and Zinn provides the choice that no one else does, the radical and harsh viewpoint of history bashing many in power. I look forward to the mini series and am glad A People’s History is a supplement to Brinkley to “expand our horizons” as the saying goes.

By: Laura Wright

Laura Wright — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:31:50 +0000

I think that the creation of this mini-series or indie film will be a good way to spread Zinn’s ideas and perspectives but as NPR mentioned, they will be ready for a roasting like the book received when it was published. Zinn admits to his biased perspective and says his book is like all history, biased not objective. I think the star power will bring more limelight and attention to this mini-series, but it could distract from what the movie is trying to portray to the audience. Zinn’s point of view will provoke outrage to many viewers but this will create for some intense debates and I’m interested to see how it all turns out. I hope that it goes on Youtube as was mentioned at the end in the event no station signs on their script.

By: Laura Whitworth

Laura Whitworth — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:11:31 +0000

I think Zinn has been an important part of our class discussions and adds a perspective very different from Brinkley. One of the most important parts of a history class, and especially an AP history class, is to be able to have discussions taking into account different points of view. Using both Zinn and Brinkley accomplishes this in class and from the NPR report I believe that the film will accomplish this as well. Zinn said in the report that history is biased and so a widespread selection of opinions is the only way to be able to make informed conclusions and opinions about American history.

By: Emily Lawrence

Emily Lawrence — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:02:34 +0000

Similar to how Liz and Anne feel, I think that i mini series of Zinn’s book would provide the general public with a different view of history. Before reading his book, I had thought of people such as Christopher Columbus to be heros, but Zinn gave a very different interpretation. Whether it is a good thing that the public sees only Zinn’s points is questionable. I have never been a fan of his work, so naturally I’m not too thrilled to see his sometimes anti-American views on the television. But I am a strong believer in educating people and freedom of speech, so why not make a series of A People’s History? But I am not be eager to watch it, that is for sure.

By: Deborah Berg

Deborah Berg — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:56:32 +0000

I’m not really a fan of Howard Zinn at all, however, i think it will be very interesting to see how the mini series ends up. I’m not really surprised that the book is being made into film. It seems as though young and almost all hollywood takes great interest in expressing their political views when given the chance. Obviously, Zinn is extremely biased but to me it seems as though he takes it to a new level. I think A People’s History is a compelling supplement to Brinkley in the way that it definitely gives a different view, but I do not think Zinn is very original in his beliefs about history. I do enjoy reading someone as radical as Zinn, but i don’t think that Brinkley and Zinn are the only points of views to consider.

By: Jennifer Rose

Jennifer Rose — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:33:27 +0000

I thought it was very intersting what the person who spoke before Zinn said at the very end, his point was that Zinn’s book somewhat preaches to the choir. If we were not in this history class, I highly doubt this book would be on my reading list. As for the rest of the country, well I can only speak for myself, but I’m not sure an almost 700 page book about American history is hot on the best sellers book. I would think it would be read by those who want to interpret history as Zinn does from the point of view of the oppressed and those who never really had a voice. Making a cable miniseries also does not seem to be as effective as a major motion picture would be. If it is possible to condense this book in a two hour movie, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, then I think there would certainly be incentive to see it, and would then evoke the hype the book got 30 years ago. As for our history class reading Zinn certainly adds to class discussion, although its hard to want to dive into A People’s History when the ultimate test in the course is literally the AP. This is not the fault of our class it is obviously the nature of APs which is a discussion for a different day, but it would probably be more interesting to flesh out if the point of the course was to study history and look at it from different angles.

By: Mary Szymendera

Mary Szymendera — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:18:32 +0000

I believe that Howard Zinn is a good supplement to our history class but I also think that before learning the debates over history it is important to get a good grounding and idea of where these conflicts began. Zinn provides one side to this debate which, through Brinkley and the basic facts about our history we learn through our lives, we can challenge or agree with as educated people. I believe it is always important to learn what other people are thinking and believing so that you can be prepared to have your own views challenged and be able to defend yourself knowledgably. History is one subject in particular that one needs to know different sides to, because history didn’t happen to just one person. Therefore Zinn is an important source but not the only and fairest one we need to consider

By: Allie Gullquist

Allie Gullquist — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:44:02 +0000

My views on Zinn have varied from chapter to chapter, and it definitely is a more biased and radical view of American history; however, I still think that it is a necessary supplement to this course. I think that the mini-series on Zinn’s book will either be a straightforward, enlightening new view on American history…or it could be a flop. I would hope that the documentary does a good job of portraying the elements and peoples of Zinn’s book; which is essentially the reason he wrote the book, to give a voice to those unheard. I have definitely enjoyed reading Zinn. I think that it should continue to be a supplement to Brinkley, for there is no way that one textbook can include absolutely everything about history. In order to get a fuller, almost complete view of history; it is necessary to have multiple supplements.

By: Liz Carleton

Liz Carleton — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:47:11 +0000

Although I personnally am not a big fan of Howard Zinn’s history, I think it definitely shares information that is left out of Brinkley and that helps complement Brinkley’s deficencies. As NPR said, it contains primary sources from historical figurues, and not only the famous ones. He gives a voice to the minority that is not often heard and I think it should remain on the curriculum even if it somewhat undermines my glorious, patriotic vision of American History.