“Howard Zinn, an author, teacher and political activist whose book A People’s History of the United States became a million-selling leftist alternative to mainstream texts, died Wednesday in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 87 and lived in Auburndale, Mass. The cause was a heart attack, his daughter Myla Kabat-Zinn said. … Although Professor Zinn was writing for a general readership, his book was taught in high schools and colleges throughout the country, and numerous companion editions were published, including ‘Voices of a People’s History,’ a volume for young people and a graphic novel.” [editor’s note: Ever since I saw him debate Wm. F. Buckley, back in the 1970s (and came away depeing neither one worthy of note, after a basic “pissing match” of invective and insult), I have watched Zinn move from flaky leftist to serious commentator; his insight will be missed, especially with the current regime on the throne - SAT] (01/27/10)
