Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Highly relevant to current times !
Howard Zinn puts forth two most important points in this book. Firstly, governments lie. Secondly, war is another form of terrorism. In these days of mass hysteria about terrorism and cries for war, these points should be drilled in the minds of people who blindly believe in what the government is telling them to achieve their war objectives for financial gains. He puts to rest the argument that "We are a peaceful nation" as stated by George W. Bush, by bringing forth various example showing that our government has been the aggressor in several conflicts in this century. History should not be forgotten as we are once again repeating the terrible mistakes we have made in the past.
He questions the need for the US to become a military superpower with over $300 billion annual military budget when for a small fraction of this money, millions of people dying of diseases throughout the world could be saved.
Indeed, in these days of misplaced patriotism, people like Zinn are called traitors when in fact, it should be people like Zinn who have defined democracy by questioning the government and questioning the true motives of those in power. Governments lie, and lie a lot for personal gains.
Rating: - Zinn waxes poetic about our freedom to dissent
A few months ago I read Howard Zinn's pre-september 11th book "Zinn on War." I found it extremely touching and thought provoking. Zinn once again captures that feeling with the newest book from the Open Media publishing movement."Terrorism and War" is a collection of interviews (both Zinn and Chomsky are at their best when speaking, as their writing is too scholarly.) Throughout, Zinn speaks about our need and Constitutionally protected right to dissent, or more specifically, our right to oppose war. Packed with news accounts and historical facts (10% of the book is notes and index), Zinn systematically proves that the war on terrorism, as currently being waged, is not a just response and will only make things worse in the future. He is not opposed to a response, even a violent one, but he feels that the bombing of Afghanistan and the targeting of Iraq are unjust and incredibly harmful to us. Read this book, then debate the war with someone you know who either supports it or is unsure. There is a very large group of people who, if given a dose of truth, will start seeing both sides of the story. Save yourself the time and ignore the ones who actively support the war, they will just call you un-American and nothing you say will change their closed hawkish minds. Highly recommended - Discuss this book!!
Rating: - A Voice for Peace
Zinn's latest collection of writings--a selection of interviews collected after 9-11--is an important expression of protest against the unjust and illegal war carried out against civilians. Using the the bombing of Afghanistan as its basis, this book examines the consequences and realities of a war supposedly directed against terrorism, which has left thousands of innocent civilians dead and transformed hundreds of thousands into homeless, starving refugees. While some, perhaps even many, would argue that these effects are simply the tragic, yet unintended, consequences of modern war. Tragic it certainly is, but as Zinn shows, the civilian deaths are of little concern to the US military and their allies, who glory in the use of so-called "smart bombs" that seem to be continually missing their "targets". Colin Powell has said in response to the question concerning the number of Iraqi dead during the Gulf War that "it's really not a number I'm terribly interested in", which shows little has changed since his involvement as an advisor during the Vietnam war. In fact, the bombing of civilian targets has been the preferred method of "breaking" the enemy spirit and dates back to at least World War Two and the carpet bombing of Dresden, Tokyo and Hiroshima. Thus the continuing use of this tactic from Vietnam, Iraq and now Afghanistan is based on the same indefensible, immoral logic.It is also interesting to note, as Zinn does, that this tactic embodies the same unconscionable actions we pretend to abhor and is itself a form of state terrorism. In addition to exposing the real nature of our war against terror, he also critically examines the reasoning put forth by our politicians and military leaders. Perhaps, more importantly, though, he directs our attention to the fact that so many simply believe these explanations at their word, and care little to investigate the merits of these policies, which have really devastating effects on many people around the world. Of course, as Zinn points out, the media isn't really doing anything to promote this kind of critical inquiry, they are doing precisely the opposite, which doesn't excuse us for not seeking out the facts that are out there, but may be a little more difficult to find. This book, for example is a fine place to start, in addition to the numerous alternative media outlets that constantly report on these issues. Ultimately, the final responsibility rests with us and as Zinn points out it is only through broad political and social involvement that real change can be achieved.
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