A Kind of Revolution: Howard Zinn on the War for Independence

soldiers and flags in a city street during the American Revolution ("A Kind of Revolution") or the War for Independence

What economic issues did American elites face in the years leading up to the American Revolution, and how did the war allow them to address these problems? How did poor whites, slaves, and American Indians respond to the war? Howard Zinn titled Chapter 5 of A People’s History of the United States “A Kind of Revolution.” He characterizes America’s war for independence as a conflict between British and American elites rather than an uprising of the masses. Continue reading to get Zinn’s take on the American Revolutionary War and the formation of the United States.

A History of Slaves in America: Persons of Mean and Vile Condition

A Black male slave working in a field on a farm in nineteenth-century US, representing the history of slaves in America

Why did American colonial elites fear slaves? What role did slaves play in the Revolutionary War and Civil War? In A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn includes a history of slaves in America. He explores their experience during colonial times, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. He also takes a look at freed slaves during the Reconstruction era. Keep reading to learn about life for these so-called “persons of mean and vile condition.”

Drawing the Color Line: Howard Zinn on Colonial American Classes

a poor enslaved black man looking up at a wealthy white man in Colonial America (Harold Zinn's "Drawing the Color Line")

In what ways did enslaved Africans resist oppression within the American colonial system? How did the exploitation of poor whites serve the interests of the colonial elites? The class system in colonial America was hierarchical, with wealthy elites exploiting enslaved Africans, poor whites, and women. Despite facing challenges, these groups resisted oppression and fought for equality within the colonial society. Read more to learn about “drawing the color line” in colonial America, according to Howard Zinn in A People’s History of the United States.

The Man’s Guide to Women: Gottman on Dating and Marriage

Man reading a book, representing The Man's Guide to Women, Gottman's book on relationships

What’s covered in The Man’s Guide to Women, John and Julie Schwartz Gottman’s book on relationships? What does it say about relationships with women? In The Man’s Guide to Women, Gottman advises men to become attuned to their partners’ needs and take care of them emotionally. The book also covers trademarks of bad relationships. For more on relationships between men and women, read on.

The Effect of Endocrine Disruptors on Testosterone in Your Body

A man playing basketball outside represents endocrine disruptors' effect on testosterone

How do endocrine disruptors cause a decline in testosterone? How does testosterone travel through the body? Testosterone plays a big part in your physical and mental health. But, in the presence of estrogenics—one of the known endocrine disruptors—testosterone decreases rapidly, which can lead to major problems. Continue reading for more information on the effect of estrogenics on testosterone.

A People’s History of the Formation of the United States

Founding fathers oversee the formation of the United States and draft the Constitution in Philadelphia's Independence Hall

What led to class tensions after the American Revolution? How did the drafting of the US Constitution aim to balance power among different classes in society? The formation of the United States in 1776, following the expulsion of Britain, resulted in persistent class tensions. The US Constitution, drafted by elite white men, aimed to protect their interests and restrict democratic influence, favoring elite control. Read more to get Howard Zinn’s take on the formation of the United States.

A People’s History of Colonial America (Howard Zinn)

Colonists and a Native American in the street of a small village illustrate the history of colonial America

What drive European colonists to the Americas? What role did slaves, American Indians, poor people, and women play within the social system? Historian Howard Zinn begins his book A People’s History of the United States with a brief overview of the history of colonial America. He outlines why this colonial project started, how it functioned, and the circumstances that eventually changed a group of colonies into the US.  Keep reading for a summary of Zinn’s nontraditional history of the colonial era in America.

Estrogen in Plastic: You May Be Drinking Harmful Estrogenics

A plastic Coca-Cola bottle and a plastic water bottle illustrate the harms of estrogen in plastic

Is there estrogen in plastic? How does the presence of estrogenics in water bottles affect your health? There are two types of estrogenics found in plastic bottles: phthalates and Bisphenol A & S. These chemicals pose a potential health risk to consumers, but there’s hardly any work being done to remove them. Keep reading to learn about the effects of harmful estrogen in plastics.