<Tr> <Th> OCLC </Th> <Td> 50622172 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> LC Class </Th> <Td> E178 . Z75 2003 </Td> </Tr> <P> A People's History of the United States is a 1980 non-fiction book by American historian and political scientist Howard Zinn . In the book, Zinn seeks to present an alternate interpretation of the history of the United States . According to the author, American history is to a large extent the exploitation of the majority by an elite minority . </P> <P> A People's History has been assigned as reading in many high schools and colleges across the United States . It has also resulted in a change in the focus of historical work, which now includes stories that previously were ignored . The book was a runner - up in 1980 for the National Book Award . It has been frequently revised, with the most recent edition covering events through 2005 . In 2003, Zinn was awarded the Prix des Amis du Monde Diplomatique for the French version of this book, Une histoire populaire des États - Unis . More than two million copies have been sold . </P>

When was a people's history of the united states written