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ananda

(35,074 posts)

12. Also, another great author in this regard is...

Mon Mar 26, 2012, 07:10 AM

Mar 2012

... John Steinbeck.

Of course his fiction is great, particularly The Grapes of Wrath, which
highlights the need for workers' rights.

But some of his other books are also fantastic for opening eyes by shedding light
on labor history, politics, and the way hate works in the USA. Here I'm
thinking of books such as In Dubious Battle (labor history and Eugene
Debs); America and Americans; A Russian Journal; and Travels with Charlie.

What Steinbeck does like no other author does is to create a dialogue based
on our common humanity, to penetrate through hates and prejudices to the heart.

It's one thing to be brain-smart; it's another entirely to be heart-smart.

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This book changed me from being a "conservative" to a "liberal".... [View all] matmar Mar 2012 OP

What makes you think that they aren't being exposed to this and similar works? MadHound Mar 2012 #1

If they are now, then great. matmar Mar 2012 #2

I suppose it depends upon where your kids go to school, MadHound Mar 2012 #4

I think that's fantastic. n/t matmar Mar 2012 #8

the several teachers that you know SemperEadem Mar 2012 #3

Thank you for being condescending, MadHound Mar 2012 #5

you might want to go back and read your first post iverglas Mar 2012 #15

That's not nearly confrontational enough Cirque du So-What Mar 2012 #26

you're quite welcome SemperEadem Mar 2012 #44

I cannot imagine teachers being able to assign Chomsky... a la izquierda Mar 2012 #6

I can, MadHound Mar 2012 #10

Oh, you can absolutely hide behind the mythical idea of history... a la izquierda Mar 2012 #57

They'd burn a teacher at the stake for teaching Chomsky where I live Papagoose Mar 2012 #30

Yikes! a la izquierda Mar 2012 #56

History, as it SHOULD ALWAYS be told... from the people... MrMickeysMom Mar 2012 #7

The Wobblies strikes were family lore for me. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2012 #36

It would depend on how flexible the district is. jerseyjack Mar 2012 #9

I would guess that in wealthy conservative school districts there isn't much "teaching" matmar Mar 2012 #11

I'd actually expect the reverse caraher Mar 2012 #16

Not just wealthy ones nxylas Mar 2012 #31

Also, another great author in this regard is... ananda Mar 2012 #12

Thanks for the book titles.... matmar Mar 2012 #13

Good question. ananda Mar 2012 #19

I am also a big fan of Steinbeck Bainbridge Bear Mar 2012 #29

"it's one thing to be brain-smart; it's another entirely to be heart-smart." dixiegrrrrl Mar 2012 #37

I had no idea! onlyadream Mar 2012 #14

Howard Zinn is awesome! Can read book online ProgressiveATL Mar 2012 #17

"Lies my teacher told me" zipplewrath Mar 2012 #18

I have that, I'll have to read the Zinn books arthritisR_US Mar 2012 #34

When I was in college I kept dropping my American History required course lunatica Mar 2012 #20

Kinda my background zipplewrath Mar 2012 #39

Our school district grntuscarora Mar 2012 #21

So glad it did that! Conservatives HATE .... SamG Mar 2012 #22

Here is my experience with teaching Zinn types of history. The Midway Rebel Mar 2012 #23

Somehow I am not surprised. Thanks arthritisR_US Mar 2012 #35

Ha! zipplewrath Mar 2012 #38

You're not the only one!! Joseph8th Mar 2012 #24

Matt Damon gives the book a plug in "Good Will Hunting". canoeist52 Mar 2012 #25

It was briefly mentioned in 'The Sopranos' as well. In the educational context, actually RZM Mar 2012 #40

It's too bad that this is illegal in Arizona now - all ethnic studies are illegal there now. yardwork Mar 2012 #27

I too want to heap praise upon Howard Zinn's book Cirque du So-What Mar 2012 #28

Spot on. nt raouldukelives Mar 2012 #33

thanks for the link hfojvt Mar 2012 #41

Love that book. What were the issues that turned you from a conservative to a lib? nt Sarah Ibarruri Mar 2012 #32

The issues? Having my eyes opened as to who represents who in society. matmar Mar 2012 #45

Oh yes - Thom Hartmann is an amazing person. I learn a lot from him. nt Sarah Ibarruri Mar 2012 #47

Another great author: www.michaelparenti.org got root Mar 2012 #42

I was already a progressive, a self-proclaimed socialist hfojvt Mar 2012 #43

ADULTS need a serious reeducation in history loyalsister Mar 2012 #46

I was especially informed by the history of the unions contained in the book. cilla4progress Mar 2012 #48

READ it ONLINE here: freshwest Mar 2012 #49

Or buy it here: freshwest Mar 2012 #50

Download the pdf here: greyl Mar 2012 #53

I already did, but thought some might want to hold it. Some use Kindle, too, but I don't. freshwest Mar 2012 #54

Me as well donheld Mar 2012 #51

A Peoples History of the United States burrowowl Mar 2012 #52

K&R Marginalized Historic Figures DianaForRussFeingold Mar 2012 #55