Passionate Declarations: Essays on War and Justice by Howard Zinn

Passionate Declarations: Essays on War and Justice Reviews

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  Public Scott

  Zinn is amazing. He talked the talk and walked the walk. I have such respect for this man and his intellectual achievements. This book was fantastic. I'll admit, it sat on my shelf for a good 8 months because I was worried it would be too preachy. I was wrong. This book is an inspiration - though the chapter on freedom of speech was at the same time one of the most depressing things I've ever read. If you've made it through A People's History of the United States you'll find this a much easier, but similarly satisfying, change of pace.
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  Emily

  I like reading Howard Zinn because he thinks so differently from me. I found myself agreeing with about half of this book, which gave me hope for removing animosity between the Right and Left in this country.
  
  While I was reading, I was wondering what Zinn would have to say in 2020–a time of upheaval and discord and violence. I hope we can return to power in the people and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, just as he advocated.
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  Payton

  4.5 only because it can be a little repetitive but really well done and renews hope while outlining work that needs to be done
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  Ken

  Several chapters out of date due to changes in technology but Zinn's message is still poignant. We keep spending our way to oblivion. I'm afraid the dystopian visions of our future are more likely than not.
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  Dave

  Very thoughtful and important point of view. Howard Zinn speaks from the vantage point of personal experience, high intelligence, and a true moral compass!
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  Bryce Wilson

  Good book, don't agree with all of it, but I think raconteur is an undervalued position and it's one that Zinn fit's perfectly.
  
  I don't agree with, for example the claim he makes that Japan had no real plan for defense for an island invasion, when they in fact had a pretty humungous, one. Wikipedia "The Honorable Death Of The Million". If he had focused his argument on what happened in Nagasaki it would have been a stronger argument.
  
  Zinn's whole argument basically focuses on him having a much better view of human nature then I do. It was a bit baffling at times to me. For example when he talks about Einstein and Freud talking about whether or not humans are destined to be violent. Zinn then explains Freud's Thanatos theory, the idea that we as humans are driven by not just the satisfaction we get from construction which is Eros , but that we also have a love for destruction which is Thanatos.
  
  Anyway after explaining all of this Zinn says, "Freud had no explination and could only point to history!"... Huh?
  
  Also Zinn quotes Emma Goldman alot, this might just be the college talking but I have grown to hate people who quote Emma Goldman.
  
  I am wary of people who quote Emma Goldman or Ayn Rand, they're from the opposite ends of the spectrum philosophically, but they both foretell the same amount of douchebaggery.
  
  Despite my rants and bitching, I really did like a whole lot. The chapters on Free Speech, Machielvelli in America, and the use of history especially where all very enlightening and eye opening.
  
  
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  Chris Bloise

  This book should be required reading for all US citizens. In the United States we confuse country with government. We as citizens owe no loyalty to our government only to what is right. If our government commits atrocities in our name it is a citizen's duty to demand better. This goes to the heart of Howard Zinn's essays. They ask what does it mean to be an engage citizen? What relationship does government have to the individual? How much are we being lied to? What can we do about it?
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  Adriel

  This book was amazing because he is not afraid to say unpopular things and be extra critical of the way our country is run. What i liked most, besides this being an amazing anti war propaganda book, is that Zinn never fell into the trap of "capitalism is bad so communism is good". He was able to be critical of the problems of both systems and urged readers to be critical as well.
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  Ben

  Zinn brilliantly dissects the core tenets of the Myth of American power and virtue exposing it for what it is. His arguments are persuasive, rational, and well documented. An important book for all US Americans.
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  Rae

  Almost Zinn persuades me to be a liberal/Marxist historian! I found myself agreeing with quite a bit of his writings in this collection of essays. And I enjoyed reading even what I disagreed with because it was so interesting. I took my time with this one!
  
  
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  Anu Gandhi

  I've only read the first two chapters but so far so good.
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  Adam

  God bless America...
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  Christopher

  I prefer this to People's History, but both are fabulous.
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  Henry

  first part was pretty compelling just to think of history in a different way, all the other things that happened that people don't write about or know, had more actionable insights
  
  second half fell apart. also a critique of the author is helpful:
  http://www.aft.org/sites/default/file...