A People's History of the United States: 1492-present

An essential book for anyone interested in an alternative view of American history.  Zinn presents significant events and periods in American history through the eyes of the minority, the weak, and the oppressed.  He dismises our assumptions, biases, and conventional wisdom as he seeks to present a more complete telling of history.  Thoroughly researched and clearly written this book is easily accessable to the reader.

Zinn focuses a lot of attention on American Indians, African Americans, other minority groups, and the poor; groups he see as underrepresented in traditional histories. 

Reading this book can truly change the way you view history and inform the way you see contemporary politics.