The author and social activist Howard Zinn died while traveling in California , daughter says . Zinn also cautioned `` that Obama is going to be a mediocre president -- which means , in our time , a dangerous president -- unless there is some national movement to push him in a better direction . '' ` ` People 's History of the United States '' tells American history from view of those not in power . Book inspired documentary , ` ` The People Speak , '' which was narrated by Zinn . In article for The Nation , Zinn also cautioned ` ` Obama is going to be a mediocre president ''
The author and social activist Howard Zinn died while traveling in California , daughter says . ` ` People 's History of the United States '' tells American history from view of those not in power . Book inspired documentary , ` ` The People Speak , '' which was narrated by Zinn . In article for The Nation , Zinn also cautioned ` ` Obama is going to be a mediocre president ''