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tents for camping in cold weather

tents for camping in cold weather Winter Tent | Free Shipping | No Sales Tax

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tents for camping in cold weather Winter Tent | Free Shipping | No Sales TaxCANVAS WINTER TENTS FOR SALE Canvas winter tents, also called cold weather tents, can withstand extreme temperatures and high winds. Check out our full selection of cold weather Canvas Tents for camping in the winter. In addition to the wonderful perks outlined below, youll also receive a free back door or window with every purchase, ensuring the best value on all of our winter tents. FREE SHIPPING Save on your canvas winter tent order with fast, free

CANVAS WINTER TENTS FOR SALE

Canvas winter tents, also called cold-weather tents, can withstand extreme temperatures and high winds.

Check out our full selection of cold-weather Canvas Tents for camping in the winter. In addition to the wonderful perks outlined below, you’ll also receive a free back door or window with every purchase, ensuring the best value on all of our winter tents.

FREE SHIPPING

Save on your canvas winter tent order with fast, free shipping at Wall Tent Shop!

SHIPS IN 1-3 DAYS

Most winter tents ship within 1-2 days after ordering, while cold-weather tents with stoves ship in 1-3 days.

2-YEAR GUARANTEE

We offer top-quality products backed by a 2-year guarantee.

LOW PRICES

At Wall Tent Shop, we have the lowest tent prices online! Shop our selection of products today!

NO SALES TAX

Save 6-9% right away on your tent order with no sales tax*!

*Items shipped to an Idaho address must pay Idaho sales tax.

COMPETITOR PRICE COMPARISON

Standard features: 10 oz canvas, 5' sidewalls, stove jack

WILDERNESS TENT ONLY PRICES ARE RED.

Tent Only

Price

Comparison

SALES TAX

FREE S&H

8x10

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

10x12

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

12x14

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

Wilderness

NO

YES

$850

$900

$1150

Competitors




Big Sky YES NO $1170 $1265
$1375
Davis YES NO NA $1243
$1525
Kwik Kamp YES NO $855
$1072
$1314
Rainier YES NO NA $1410 $1819
Reliable YES NO $876 $1095 $1335
Beckel YES NO $975 $1015 $1400
WhiteDuck YES YES W/ Frame $1750 W/ Frame $2100 W/ Frame $2400


SALES TAX

FREE S&H

14x16

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

16x20

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

16x24

Fire, Water,

& Mildew

Wilderness NO YES

$1450

$1800

$2100

Competitors




Big Sky YES NO $1695
$1975
NA
Davis YES NO $1802
$2184
$2563
Kwik Kamp YES NO $1585
$1997
$2289
Rainer YES NO NA $2251
NA
Reliable YES NO $1650
$2035
NA
Beckel YES NO $1475 $1675 $1915
WhiteDuck YES YES W/ Frame $3000 W/ Frame $3990 W/ Frame $4900

Davis price for 10’ x 12’ is a 10’ x14’, 12’ x 14’ is a 12’ x15’, & 14’ x16’ is a 14’ x15’.

Rainier price for 14’ x16’ is a 12’ x16’.

Beckel price for a 8’ x 10’ is a 9’ x 9’ 4-foot sidewall, 10’ x12’ is a 9’ x12’ 4-foot sidewall, 12’ x14’ is a 12’ x 15’, 14’ x 16’ is a 15’ x15’, 16’ x 20’ is a 15’ x21’, 16’ x 20’ is a 18’ x21’.

WE OFFER WILDERNESS COLD-WEATHER TENTS IN 5 GENERAL CATEGORIES

  1. Tent Only: Wilderness or Montana Canvas
  2. Tent and Angle Kit to Make Frame
  3. Tent and Complete Frame
  4. Tent, Angle Kit to Make Frame, Tarp Fly, Stove
  5. Tent, Complete Frame, Tarp Fly, Stove

See our CANVAS WINTER TENTS FOR SALE to view features and options of our wilderness canvas winter tent for sale with stove.

Standard Features

STRONGEST & MOST REINFORCED TENT AVAILABLE

$200 worth of free options for some other tent companies.

  • FREE BACK DOOR OR BACK WINDOW. Free back door or back window, your choice. A $50 feature included free with our tents for camping in the winter!
  • FREE DOUBLE LAYER OF CANVAS ON RIDGE. Significantly reinforces the ridge. Some tent companies charge $75 to $200 for this feature. Very necessary when using lodge pole frames. The tent roof will tear or rip easily if the lodge pole is not smooth when the pole is being pushed through the ridge pole openings. A $150 option on some winter tents.
  • FREE STORM FLAP/COLORADO DOOR. 8" storm flap with buckle protects front & back door zippers. Helps keep out the wind. A $45 option on some cold-weather tents.
  • FREE REINFORCED EAVE WITH WEBBING ENTIRE LENGTH OF EAVE. Much stronger than eaves with no reinforcement.
  • FREE STEEL D RINGS SEWN INTO WEBBING. Much stronger than tents with metal grommets pressed into canvas eaves.
  • STOVE JACK OPENING. 5.5 inches. 6-inch available by cutting out just before the stitched 6-inch pattern. Most stoves require a 5 1/2 inch hole; otherwise, there is too much stove pipe slack, causing the pipe to move excessively during windy conditions. Stove jack is located on the roof in the front left corner of your canvas winter tent - 30" from the front door and 30" from the top of the sidewall.
  • VINYL SOD CLOTH. 10" vinyl sod cloth sewn onto the bottom of the wall. Acts as an air seal and keeps the canvas off the ground. Prevents water from wicking up the canvas walls.
  • TENT BAG. Some companies charge $35 for a tent bag. Rolled up inside of tent.
  • RIDGE OPENINGS FOR LODGE POLE. Flaps seal openings when the lodge pole is not used.
  • FRONT ZIPPERED DOOR, YKK #10. The highest quality heavy-duty zipper made.
  • 200 FEET OF ROPE AND 20 TENSIONERS are rolled up inside our winter tents for sale.
  • 5' SIDEWALLS provide much more headroom. Some tent companies advertise 5' but it is actually 4'8". 6' Sidewalls are also available as an upgrade. Walls are measured from the outside of the cold-weather tent.

WALLS ARE FULL 5' OF CANVAS. Some unusually designed tents for camping in the winter have only 4' walls with 18" of vinyl sewn onto the bottom of the tent. The 18" sod cloth cannot be staked down properly, and wind blows under the sod cloth, creating a tent that is difficult to heat in cold weather. Additionally, the sod cloth will flap in the wind, making for a less-than-enjoyable camping experience.

Tents must have the canvas walls touching the ground to stake the walls to the ground to prevent wind from blowing under the canvas winter tent walls.

Windows are 30" x 30" and have screens. Not small triangle windows that provide much less ventilation.

5-foot walls measured from the outside of the tent.

6' SIDE WALL OPTION

  • 6' side walls provide much more headroom and usable tent space. 6' walls allow a person to get next to a wall without hitting their head against rafters or canvas roof.
  • Some companies only have 4' 7" sidewalls, which severely restricts how much space you can actually use.
  • Strongly recommend you ask your suppliers the finished height of side walls before purchasing, so you will not be surprised or disappointed upon delivery.
  • 6' option only available on FIRE, water, and mildew-treated winter tents for sale.

General Information

Note: Shipping bags for floors, fly, extended fly, porches, and cook shacks options are not large enough to be used for storage bags.

We also recommend you read our TENT SET UP LOCATION GUIDE before you set up your canvas winter tent to avoid wind issues that can destroy tents for camping in the winter.

To view our full line of tents, click best canvas tents for sale online.

To view additional high-quality winter canvas tents, go to buy Montana Canvas Tents online.

We also have a canvas hunting tent for sale in the Montana model.

View the best glamping tents for sale online if you want to combine glamping and winter camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A CANVAS WINTER TENT VS. A SYNTHETIC WINTER TENT?

Nylon winter tents with a stove are not recommended. Any sparks from the chimney pipe landing on a nylon tent roof will easily burn holes in the nylon roof of the cold-weather tent. Even when using a canvas tent with a stove, it is imperative that you have a tarp, commonly called a fly, to protect your roof. It is much better to have an occasional hole in the fly than in the roof. A fly tarp can be repaired with duct tape - Rich (owner).

Canvas winter tents offer several advantages over synthetic winter tents for sale, particularly in colder climates and harsh weather conditions. Here's a detailed comparison: Advantages of Canvas Winter Tents

Durability: Canvas tents for camping in the winter are known for their exceptional durability, often lasting for many years if properly cared for. The thick, tightly woven fabric can withstand abrasion, punctures, and exposure to UV radiation better than synthetic materials. We use army duck double-fill canvas in our canvas winter tents, the strongest canvas available.

Insulation: Canvas provides better insulation than synthetic materials, helping to retain heat inside the tent during cold weather. The natural fibers of canvas trap air more effectively, creating a barrier against the cold and reducing heat loss.

Breathability: Canvas is a breathable material that allows moisture vapor to escape from the interior of the tent. This helps to reduce condensation buildup inside the tent, which can be a significant concern in cold weather.

Temperature Regulation: Canvas cold-weather tents have superior temperature regulation capabilities compared to synthetic tents. The thicker fabric acts as a buffer against temperature fluctuations, helping to keep the interior cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather.

ARE YOUR CANVAS WINTER TENTS FOR SALE FIREPROOF?

Our fire-treated tents meet the CPAI 84 fire retardant code. If a winter canvas tent is not specifically treated for fire resistance, it will burn quickly. Fire-resistant canvas will only burn when there is a flame source present on the canvas. When you remove the flame source, the wall tent will stop burning. However, there is no wall tent made that will not burn.

LEAVING A CANVAS WINTER TENT UP DURING THE WINTER?

I recommend taking down your winter canvas tent if you are not going to be present at the campsite every day. Each year, I have customers call and order a new tent because their tents for camping in the winter collapsed under snow loads.

WHAT ARE THE STOVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CANVAS WINTER TENTS?

Hunting or camping in cold-weather tents requires a specific stove size for your temperature requirements. You must determine how cold it will be, the weight and size of the stove for transporting, and also the burn time requirements to keep you warm at night.

Click canvas winter tent TENT STOVE for info on 10 different models. A cold-weather tent with a stove will easily keep you warm at night and dry all your clothes. I normally recommend buying 1 size larger stove than you think you need. Don't put more wood in it than you need to keep warm. If it ever gets really cold when camping in a cold-weather tent, you will be able to add more wood to stay warm and comfortable.

Ensure you purchase a canvas winter tent for sale with a stove jack that allows you to have a wood stove for heat. If you don't plan on initially using it, you might change your mind later. Also, it will be much easier to sell a canvas winter tent with a stove jack if you decide to give up camping in extreme weather.

IS A WOOD STOVE BETTER TO USE THAN A PROPANE STOVE?

A propane stove is not as safe as wood. Every year, campers and hunters die in their sleep due to propane leaks. Exercise extreme caution when using a stove in tents for camping in the winter.

One year, I was lazy and used a propane heater at night because I was going on a short hunting trip. Fortunately, I woke up the first night and smelled a propane leak coming from a defective fitting. The next day, I went home for my wood stove. It cost me a day of hunting, but it was worth it. I will never use another propane heater. I also use a long-lasting battery lantern to reduce the possibility of propane leaks. I use my wood stove for cooking. However, I do occasionally use a propane stove, but I turn off the propane tank and place the tank outside at night.

I have been in many winter tents for sale with stoves for the last 50 years. I only had to be lazy one time to almost pay a heavy price for being a fool and too lazy to cut wood. - Rich, owner.

WHAT IS AN EAVE TROUGH PROBLEM WHEN LEAVING A TENT SET UP FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD?

If you leave the cold-weather tent set up for an extended period of time, water can collect on the roof in an "eave trough". The trough is the area at the bottom of the roof just before the side horizontal tent frame poles. Canvas should be very tight on the frame if set up for extended periods of time, and a fly is used. The fly of tents for camping in the winter should also be tight to avoid water and snow in the eave trough. A canvas winter tent saturated in water will rot and mildew regardless of water and mildew protection applied. There is no warranty for eave rot.

HOW TIGHT SHOULD THE CANVAS WINTER TENT BE ON AN INTERNAL FRAME?

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TENT ROOF AND FLY TAUT SO WATER CAN QUICKLY BE REMOVED FROM YOUR TENT. Water can collect on the roof in an "eave trough," which is a low area just before the sidewall created by a not-tight roof or loose fly. Canvas should be very taut on a tent frame, especially if it’s set up for extended periods of time and a fly is used. The fly should also be tight to avoid water in an eave trough. Water will eventually go through the fly if saturated for weeks. Canvas saturated in water will rot and mildew regardless of water and mildew protection applied. There is no warranty for eave rot.

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR USING A STOVE IN A CANVAS WINTER TENT?

Never put a stove directly on top of canvas or vinyl floor. A fireproof mat under the stove is recommended for any canvas winter tent for sale with a stove. A fireproof heat shield can be tied to the side wall frame of the cold-weather tent for extra fire protection.

USING HAY BALES FOR WIND PROTECTION?

Some of my customers stack hay bales along the outside wall of their tents for camping in the winter for insulation and to blunt any strong winds. Using hay bales is more common for extended hunting or camping trips in high-wind areas.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WINTER CAMPING IN A CANVAS WINTER TENT?

Winter camping can be a challenging but rewarding outdoor experience. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a winter camping trip:

  1. Check the Weather Forecast:

    • Monitor the weather forecast leading up to your trip.
    • Be prepared for changing conditions and have a backup plan in case of severe weather.
  2. Practice Setting Up Your Gear: Set up your canvas winter tent and test your gear in controlled conditions before heading out.

  3. Winter Weather Protection: When you buy a canvas winter tent for sale, make sure it’s designed to withstand snow and cold temperatures

  4. Select the Right Gear:

    • Invest in high-quality cold-weather gear and a cold-rated sleeping bag.
    • Layer your clothing to stay warm. Use moisture-wicking base layers, insulating layers, and a waterproof and windproof outer layer.
    • Bring a warm hat, gloves, and waterproof boots.
    • Sleeping Pad: Use a high R-value sleeping pad to insulate yourself from the cold ground. Consider using two pads for added insulation in your cold-weather tent.
    • Winter Camping Stove: Use a stove suitable for cold conditions, as some fuel types may not work well in freezing temperatures.
    • Cooking Supplies: Bring high-energy and easily prepared food.
    • Snow Shovel: Pack a lightweight snow shovel for clearing your winter tent area and paths.
    • Navigation Tools: Carry a map and compass, and consider a GPS device. Be familiar with the terrain and potential hazards.
    • Lighting: Bring extra batteries for headlamps and flashlights.
    • Communication: Have a fully charged cell phone and consider a backup power source.
  5. Choose the Right Location:

    • Select a campsite with good drainage to avoid melting snow accumulation.
    • Be aware of potential avalanche risk in the area.
    • Check if camping permits or reservations are required.
  6. Build a Solid Shelter:

    • Choose a proper campsite and clear away snow to create a level surface for your canvas winter tent.
    • Set up tents for camping in the winter securely, making sure they're well-anchored and can withstand winter conditions.
  7. Stay Dry:

    • Use a waterproof and windproof outer layer to protect against snow and moisture.
    • Moisture is your enemy in cold weather. Make sure your tent is properly ventilated to prevent condensation. Use a waterproof ground cloth under your cold-weather tent, and keep your clothing and gear dry.
  8. Campfire Safety: Depending on the area and regulations, you may or may not be allowed to have a campfire. If allowed, use a designated fire ring and be cautious of snow accumulation around the fire. Keep the fire a safe distance from the canvas winter tent.

  9. Cooking and Nutrition: Plan warm, hearty meals that provide plenty of calories. Bring a reliable stove for cooking, as finding dry wood for a fire can be challenging in snowy conditions.

  10. Hydration: Stay hydrated, even in cold weather. It's easy to forget to drink water when it's cold, but dehydration is a risk in winter. Keep a water bottle in your sleeping bag to prevent it from freezing overnight.

  11. Navigation: Winter landscapes can look very different from other seasons. Make sure you have a map, compass, and/or GPS device, and know how to use them. Familiarize yourself with the area before camping with any of our winter tents for sale.

  12. Emergency Preparedness: Carry a well-stocked first aid kit and be prepared for emergencies. Know how to recognize and treat cold-related injuries such a frostbite and hypothermia.

  13. Check weather Conditions: Stay informed about weather forecasts and be prepared for sudden changes. Even the best tents for camping in the winter won’t protect you from frigid temperatures.

  14. Tell Someone Your Plans: Before heading out, inform someone about your camping plans, including your route and expected return time. This ensures that someone knows where you are in case of an emergency.

  15. Winter-Specific Skills: Learn and practice winter-specific outdoor skills, such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, depending on the terrain where you’re using your canvas winter tent.

  16. Leave No Trace: Practice Leave No Trace principles, especially in winter when the environment is more vulnerable. Pack out all trash and minimize your impact on the surroundings.

Remember that camping in a cold-weather tent during the winter requires extra caution, and it's essential to be well-prepared for changing conditions. Take the time to learn the necessary skills and invest in a quality winter canvas tent and proper equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Always prioritize safety and make adjustments to your plans based on the weather and your group's experience level.

WHAT IS THE FUN AND THRILL OF COLD WEATHER CAMPING IN A CANVAS WINTER TENT?

Cold-weather camping in a cold-weather tent can be a thrilling and unique experience, offering a different set of challenges and rewards compared to camping in milder conditions. Here are some aspects that contribute to the fun and thrill of cold-weather camping in a canvas tent.

  1. Canvas Winter Tent Experiences:

    • Our canvas winter tents for sale have a classic and cozy feel that adds a sense of nostalgia to the camping experience. The material of these tents for camping in the winter provides good insulation, trapping warmth inside and creating a comfortable atmosphere.
    • Canvas winter tents have natural insulating properties, retaining warmth inside. The thick fabric helps create a barrier against the cold outside air, providing a cozy and comfortable sleeping environment.
    • The dense material of a canvas cold-weather tent can muffle external sounds, creating a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere inside, enhancing the feeling of solitude and connection with nature.
  2. Crackling Campfire:

    • Cold-weather camping often involves building a warm campfire. The crackling sound of the fire, the warmth it provides, and the glow against the winter canvas tent create a magical ambiance that enhances the overall camping experience in a winter tent.
    • In cold weather, the campfire becomes more than just a source of light; it's a crucial heat source. Gathering around the fire for warmth fosters a sense of camaraderie and adds a social aspect to the camping experience.
  3. Winter Scenery Appreciation:

    • Camping in cold weather allows you to experience the beauty of winter landscapes. The crisp air, snow-covered surroundings, and the serene atmosphere can be truly breathtaking, providing a different perspective on nature. Be sure to venture from your canvas winter tent occasionally to take it all in.
  4. Stargazing Opportunities:

    • Clear winter nights offer excellent stargazing opportunities. With less humidity in the air, the night sky tends to be clearer, allowing you to see more stars, planets, and celestial phenomena.
  5. Adventure and Solitude:

    • Winter camping in a cold-weather tent often means fewer crowds, providing a more solitary and adventurous experience. The quietness of a winter wilderness can be both peaceful and invigorating.
  6. Unique Wildlife Encounters:

    • Depending on the location of tents for camping in the winter, you may have the chance to witness unique wildlife behavior in the winter months. Some animals are more active during colder periods, and tracking their prints in the snow can be an exciting experience. Even though you bought a winter tent for sale to enjoy comfort, don’t forget to venture out from time to time!
    • Observing how animals adapt to the cold, such as seeing birds puff up their feathers or mammals with winter coats, provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the resilience of nature in harsh conditions.
  7. Snow Activities:

    • If there's snow on the ground, you can engage in various snow activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or building snow structures around your canvas tent. These activities add an extra layer of enjoyment to your camping trip.
  8. Camp Cooking Challenges:

    • Cold-weather camping presents challenges and joys when it comes to cooking. The warmth of a hearty, hot meal becomes even more satisfying in the chilly air. Experimenting with ways to keep food warm can be part of the adventure of camping in a canvas winter tent.
    • Experimenting with winter-friendly recipes that provide warmth and energy becomes a culinary adventure. One-pot meals, hearty stews, and hot beverages take on a new level of significance in cold weather. Enjoy the unique experience of dining in tents for camping in the winter.
  9. Layered Clothing and Gear:

    • Dressing in layers and using specialized cold-weather camping gear can be a fun part of the experience of winter camping. Learning how to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures adds a sense of accomplishment to the trip.
    • Learning how to effectively layer clothing for warmth and comfort in cold weather is a skill that enhances the camping experience. Understanding the properties of different fabrics and materials contributes to a more enjoyable and comfortable outdoor adventure in any of our winter tents for sale.
    • Ensuring you have the right cold-weather tent, gear, including insulated sleeping bags, thermal clothing, and weather-resistant outer layers, is essential. The process of preparing and organizing gear for cold conditions adds a sense of anticipation and readiness.
  10. Sense of Accomplishment:

    • Successfully camping in cold weather conditions can provide a profound sense of accomplishment. Overcoming the challenges that come with low temperatures and adverse weather conditions can make the adventure more rewarding.
  11. Nighttime Atmosphere:

    • The canvas of the tent, illuminated by the soft glow of a lantern or the moonlight, creates a magical and intimate atmosphere. The play of light and shadows against the fabric enhances the overall aesthetic of the canvas winter tent camping experience.
    • Waking up to a frost-covered landscape is a mesmerizing sight. The crisp air, front on the cold-weather tent, and the silence of the early morning contribute to a tranquil and rejuvenating start to the day.

Remember to prioritize safety by being well prepared for the cold weather, including having suitable gear, clothing, and emergency supplies stored in tents for camping in the winter. Enjoy your cold-weather camping adventure when you buy a Wilderness canvas winter tent for sale at Wall Tent Shop.

Videos

See one of our tents in action in -12 degree weather!

See our tent in a winter storm in Canada!

See a strength test of our canvas!

Click HOT TENTS WITH STOVE to view Wilderness Tent weights and peak height.

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Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
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“This country is not in good condition.” Calvin Coolidge, 1931. (p. 387).
Apart from his unique view of American history and of his treatment of many of the landmark events of that history, Howard Zinn gives us any number of interesting and noteworthy observations in the course of this 700-page text. I beg your indulgence while we look at just a few…. On p. 73, “(t)o say that the Declaration of Independence, even by its own language, was limited to life, liberty and happiness for white males is not to denounce the makers and signers of the Declaration for holding the ideas expected of privileged males of the eighteenth century. Reformers and radicals, looking discontentedly at history, are often accused of expecting too much from a past political epoch – and sometimes they do. But the point of noting those outside the arc of human rights in the Declaration is not, centuries late and pointlessly, to lay impossible moral burdens on that time. It is to try to understand the way in which the Declaration functioned to mobilize certain groups of Americans, ignoring others. Surely, inspirational language to create a secure consensus is still used, in our time, to cover up serious conflicts of interest in that consensus, and to cover up, also, the omission of large parts of the human race.” And then, on p. 96: “(t)he problem of democracy in the post-Revolutionary society was not, however, the Constitutional limitations on voting. It lay deeper, beyond the Constitution, in the division of society into rich and poor. For if some people had great wealth and great influence; if they had the land, the money, the newspapers, the church, the educational system – how could voting, however broad, cut into such power? There was still another problem: wasn’t it the nature of representative government, even when most broadly based, to be conservative, to prevent tumultuous change?” For the answer to that last question, we can, of course, always turn to the pleasantly incendiary words of no less than Thomas Jefferson, which Mr. Zinn naturally and deftly does: “‘I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing…. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government…. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion…. The Tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.’” One can only imagine how Jefferson would’ve reacted to the following open letter penned by Ralph Waldo Emerson to President Van Buren in 1838 as the still young nation hung its head in shame for the Trail of Tears it had just blazed: “(t)he soul of man, the justice, the mercy that is the heart’s heart in all men, from Maine to Georgia, does abhor this business…a crime is projected that confounds our understanding by its magnitude, a crime that really deprives us as well as the Cherokees of a country for how could we call the conspiracy that should crush these poor Indians our government, or the land that was cursed by their parting and dying imprecations our country any more? You, sir, will bring down that renowned chair in which you sit into infamy if your seal is set to this instrument of perfidy; and the name of this nation, hitherto the sweet omen of religion and liberty, will stink to the world” (p. 147). Was the very noble Van Buren at all distressed by the death of thousands of Cherokee Indians along this Trail of Tears when, at the end of the same year, he spoke to Congress? “It affords sincere pleasure to apprise the Congress of the entire removal of the Cherokee Nation of Indians to their new homes west of the Mississippi. The measures authorized by Congress at its last session have had the happiest effects” (p. 148). (Emphasis is mine.) And if you think that all of the wars the U. S. participated in right up to Vietnam were “good” wars (as I did until now), consider what we have in the way of a diary entry from a certain Colonel Hitchcock: “I have said from the first that the United States are the aggressors…. We have not one particle of right to be here…. It looks as if the government sent a small force on purpose to bring on a war, so as to have a pretext for taking California and as much of this country as it chooses, for, whatever becomes of this army, there is no doubt of a war between the United States and Mexico…. My heart is not in this business … but, as a military man, I am bound to execute orders” (p. 151). As I’ve already said, Zinn has a singular way of characterizing some of history’s more significant events. As yet another example, I give you the following from p. 171 (on the first page of Chapter 9, titled “Slavery without Submission, Emancipation without Freedom”: “…it was Abraham Lincoln who freed the slaves, not John Brown. In 1859, John Brown was hanged, with federal complicity, for attempting to do by small-scale violence what Lincoln would do by large-scale violence several years later – end slavery.” And lest there still be any doubt about Abraham Lincoln’s position on American blacks and the issue of slavery, Zinn gives us these two very telltale quotes: “I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people…. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race” (p. 188). Moreover, and in direct response to the Editor of the New York Tribune, Horace Greeley, we find this (on p. 191): “Dear Sir: … I have not meant to leave any one in doubt…. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy Slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about Slavery and the colored race, I do because it helps to save this Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union…. I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty, and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men, everywhere, could be free. Yours, A. Lincoln.” But history (and human “progress”) moves on – and so, we have this: “(i)n 1877, (the year, according to David Burbank, in his book REIGN OF THE RABBLE, ‘no American city has come so close to being ruled by a workers’ soviet, as we would now call it, as St. Louis, Missouri’ – p. 250), the same year blacks learned they did not have enough strength to make real the promise of equality in the Civil War, working people learned they were not united enough, not powerful enough, to defeat the combination of private capital and government power” (p. 251). And Zinn then opens Chapter 11 (“Robber Barons and Rebels”) with this: “(i)n the year 1877, the signals were given for the rest of the century: the black would be put back; the strikes of white workers would not be tolerated; the industrial and political elites of North and South would take hold of the country and organize the greatest march of economic growth in human history. They would do it with the aid of, and at the expense of, black labor, white labor, Chinese labor, European immigrant labor, female labor, rewarding them differently by race, sex, national origin, and social class, in such a way as to create separate levels of oppression – a skillful terracing to stabilize the pyramid of wealth” (p. 253). For those who think the “Occupy Wall Street” movement of the new millennium was a singular invention of the millennial generation, you might want to consider what Mary Ellen Lease, of the newly formed People’s Party, had to tell those assembled at that party’s first convention in 1890 in Topeka, KS: “Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but a government of Wall Street, by Wall Street and for Wall Street…. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags…. The politicians said we suffered from overproduction. Overproduction, when 10,000 little children … starve to death every year in the U. S. and over 100,000 shop girls in New York are forced to sell their virtue for bread…. “There are thirty men in the United States whose aggregate wealth is over one and one-half billion dollars. There are half a million looking for work…. We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the government. We want the accursed foreclosure system wiped out…. We will stand by our homes and stay by our firesides by force if necessary, and we will not pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the Government pays its debts to us. “The people are at bay, let the bloodhounds of money who have dogged us thus far beware” (p. 288). For those (like me until now) who’ve always thought only the best of Teddy Roosevelt, the following two direct quotes – not to mention William James’s rejoinder – might be a bit of a news-breaker: “(i)n strict confidence…I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one” (p. 297). And in his address to the Naval War College, he has this to say: “(a)ll the great masterful races have been fighting races…. No triumph of peace is quite so great as the supreme triumph of war” (p. 300). Thankfully – and from James – comes the sobering suggestion that he (Roosevelt) “gushes over war as the ideal condition of human society, for the manly strenuousness which it involves, and treats peace as a condition of blubberlike and swollen ignobility, fit only for huckstering weaklings, dwelling in gray twilight and heedless of the higher life…” (p. 300). For those who think Obama’s recent initiative at a rapprochement with Cuba bodes well for that impoverished Caribbean island, you might want to consider what another historian, Philip Foner, writes about the last time (towards the end of the nineteenth century) this country took a keen interest in Old Havana: “(e)ven before the Spanish flag was down in Cuba, U. S. business interests set out to make their influence felt. Merchants, real estate agents, stock speculators, reckless adventurers, and promoters of all kinds of get-rich schemes flocked to Cuba by the thousands. Seven syndicates battled each other for control of the franchises for the Havana Street Railway, which were finally won by Percival Farquhar, representing the Wall Street interests of New York. Thus, simultaneously with the military occupation began … commercial occupation” (p. 310). But it gets even better on the other side of the planet, and the same William James who pronounced upon the clearly bellicose character of Teddy Roosevelt has the last word on American behavior in the Pacific: “God dam* the U. S. for its vile conduct in the Philippine Isles” (p. 315). And on that same subject, consider what none other than Mark Twain has to say: “(w)e have pacified some thousands of the islanders and buried them; destroyed their fields; burned their villages, and turned their widows and orphans out-of-doors; furnished heartbreak by exile to some dozens of disagreeable patriots; subjugated the remaining ten millions by Benevolent Assimilation, which is the pious new name of the musket; we have acquired property in the three hundred concubines and other slaves of our business partner, the Sultan of Sulu, and hoisted our protecting flag over that sway. “And so, by these Providences of God – and the phrase is the government’s, not mine – we are a World Power” (p. 316). Where, by the way, was all of this war-mongering and industrial development at breakneck speed headed? Zinn’s choice of a quote from Sinclair Lewis’s BABBITT couldn’t be more appropriate: “(i)t was the best of nationally advertised and quantitatively produced alarm-clocks, with all modern attachments, including cathedral chime, intermittent alarm, and a phosphorescent dial. Babbitt was proud of being awakened by such a rich device. Socially it was almost as creditable as buying expensive cord tires. “He sulkily admitted now that there was no more escape, but he lay and detested the grind of the real-estate business, and disliked his family, and disliked himself for disliking them” (pp. 383-384). Two more brief quotes from Howard Zinn himself, and then I’ll conclude. On p. 636, “(w)e may, in the coming years, be in a race for the mobilization of middle-class discontent.” And almost immediately following, on p. 637, “(c)apitalism has always been a failure for the lower classes. It is now beginning to fail for the middle classes.” I suggested, at the beginning of this review, that Howard Zinn had a “unique view of American history.” That suggestion was in no sense ironic or tongue-in-cheek. After a couple of weeks and 700+ pages, I can only say that this is some of the most valuable reading time I’ve ever spent. I’m humbled – and yes, also somewhat ashamed – that I’ve discovered this historian and his work at the very ripe old age of 64. I obviously wish it could’ve been sooner. But as it was not, the next best thing I could do was give my copy of A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, still slightly warm to the touch, to my daughter on the occasion of her 21st birthday. God willing, she’ll grow up better informed than I – at the very least, about the country whose passport she carries. RRB 06/08/15 Brooklyn, NY
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2015
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John Klinger
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
A must read
Format: Paperback
Great book! Show what you should eat to help yourself. Everyone should read this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026
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Dark Angel
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Worthwhile Read
Format: Hardcover
Extremely insightful.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
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William Echols
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Beyond the Usual Left/Right bifurcation
When thinking about Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States, I am reminded of E.H. Carr's seminal work "What is History?" whereby he stated: "The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate". As Carr famously stated, millions of people had crossed the Rubicon, but only Julius Caesar's crossing in 49 BC has been given normative value by historians. For those familiar with the philosophical treatment of historical understanding in Tolstoy's War and Peace, this sentiment will ring true. A People's History is designed to give voice to those millions who passed the rubicon but never found their way into the annuals of history. A couple of points. This book was intended to be a supplement as opposed to a strictly chronological account of history that will give you the bullet points for the most important people, dates and events. [sic] It is not meant to be a replacement for a more standardized textbook. Secondly, Zinn did not hate America, and he in fact stated: "I want young people to understand that ours is a beautiful country, but it has been taken over by men who have no respect for human rights or constitutional liberties. Our people are basically decent and caring, and our highest ideals are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which was that all of us have an equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The history of our country, I point out in my book, is a striving, against corporate robber barons and war makers, to make those ideals a reality-and all of us, of whatever age, can find immense satisfaction in becoming part of that." Regardless of your political position, between the Great Recession and the Iraq war, there is a relevance to this sentiment that cuts across political lines. Now, what one will notice in the bulk of the one star reviews is the sense that either the reviewer has not read the book, they copied and pasted their criticism from another source or they have strictly given the book one star because it does not conform with their view of reality. "Blame America first", "socialism", "communism", "Marx, "liberal propaganda", you can easily get the gist of the talking points because many American conservatives apparently got the same memo in dismissing anything they don't agree with. The disservice they do to themselves and the sphere of ideas in the outright dismissal of any perspective which does not conform to their own is truly sad. When someone gives a book one star merely for not conforming to their view of reality,they have obviously lost the plot. In university I knew many conservative history professors who liked and used Zinn's work. They believed it was important to incorporate and deal with the claims that Zinn made. You cannot whitewash history and blindly stick by the most comforting narrative. That does not mean that one should agree with Zinn's conclusions or think that he has a monopoly on the truth. Zinn himself would not have wanted that. For those who claim Zinn is a socialist or any other kind of -ist, that he is not completely objective, they have obviously never done any research. Pure positivism was dismissed long ago. Even Max Webber started that our subjective bias comes in the moment we choose to study something, for by seeing the subject matter as valuable, we have placed a normative value on it. There is no pure value objectivity, stating one's position and bias from the outset is what responsible social scientists do these days. A dryly academic text with an obvious bias concealed by a detached form of writing gives a falsely omniscient perspective whose reality is psychological but not objective. However they write, they are just a person, and without expressing their biases it will inevitably turn up in their work without necessarily being obvious. This is far more dangerous than what Zinn does in stating his bias from the outset. So it is a red herring to dismiss Zinn for having a perspective. We all have one and it will come into whatever we do. There is no knowable, objective reality (for humans) living in the Platonic world of perfect forms. History was a puzzle of immeasurable size that was blown apart and the pieces scattered over the cosmos. The vast majority of the pieces are gone, never to return. We are stabbing at an imperfect speculation, not ultimate truth when we engage in historical study. Any physicist will tell you that the particle wave duality of light has pretty much closed the book on the notion that we can objectively, perfectly know anything. This book is important because the poison of partisan politics has come to dominate even the dialogue of academic research. If the sole criterion for giving a book one star is the notion that you don't agree with its thesis, then you obviously live in a fragile world and are incapable of being challenged intellectually. This book is of the upmost importance for the conservative to read and digest. In developing a coherent narrative of the United States, you need to wrestle with its sins and determine, despite our historical shortcomings and transgressions, what is it that makes this imperfect union the pinnacle of nation states if one agrees with that prospect. For the liberal, you should not view Zinn's work as the last word on anything, but rather use it as a stepping stone to further develop your own historical understanding and consider how well has American done on a relative scale in light of the political, societal and human failings that have marred all human civilizations. This book is well worth the challenges it presents, and should be a 5 star treat for the conservative who loves his country and wants to develop the most cogent and nuanced argument as to why that is the case despite those unsettling realities to be found in this book as well as the liberal who wants to give voice to his disaffection with certain aspects of American society and the reasons why we need to change it. This is not another tool in the mindless and poisonous Manichean bifurcation of American politics. It is a vehicle to help you strengthen and deepen your understanding of US history, regardless from which direction you are coming. Recommended to all who are interested in the journey of learning as opposed to a presupposed outcome that serves a vested interest.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2010
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Dr. Lee D. Carlson
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
A 50 carat learning gem
The teaching of American history in elementary and middle schools reminds one of the cleaning of a commode: any rings or crud are removed and the bowl is disinfected. It then looks shiny and pretty, as if no foul stuffs were ever deposited in it. The tall tales and antiseptic methodologies employed in the teaching of American history in these citadels of bias are finally being countered by some historians, who are also clearly biased but self-consciously so. They do not hesitate to study the foul stuffs that have been part of the history of the United States, and are willing to put up with the strong odors thereof. What results in their writings is a compilation of the facts that are left unreported by the sycophants of established educational hierarchies. The picture they paint is not a pretty one, but for those who desire the bare, naked truth, and not the stale platitudes of whitewashed historical analysis, it can be a grand viewing. The author of this book is one of these new historians, and he does not hesitate to dig deep into the real stories that have remained hidden for decades. Historical analysis of course is more then muckracking, and requires an accounting of what has occurred in the past without blinders. It also must put to rest the notion that historical events are controlled by a ruling elite, and the latter are not the distinguishing features of history. History is not a history of kings, queens, and princesses. They play a role but it is an ancillary one. The title of this book refreshingly reminds us of this. History is governed and directed by the actions of many individuals, known and unknown. The author calls them "the people", and their story is told unabashedly in this book. The author is clearly a socialist, but his attitude is one of a healthy skepticism towards government, and justified distrust of the military establishment. He reminds us that the draft was in place as early as the Revolutionary War, as were the exceptions granted for avoidance of it. For example in Connecticut Yale students and faculty were exempted from the draft, as were ministers and various government officials. There was also the familiar schism between officers and "ordinary" soldiers, and any in the latter class who chose not to respect this distinction were whipped severely. Wealthy individuals dominated the Continental Congress, but most "ordinary" soldiers were not getting paid. Some groups of "ordinary" soldiers rebelled and some executed by firing squad when the rebellion was suppressed (in one case by soldiers of George Washington himself who led the suppression). The author's commentary and documentation on the Revolutionary War certainly act as a counterexample against the belief that this war had universal support and thought of as a noble cause by the general populace of the time. The Revolutionary War, like all other wars, was an ugly, messy affair, and had its share of false patriotism, brutality, and cowardice, and it affected many other peoples that had no interest or stake in it: native American tribes such as the Iroquois and the Mohawk. These tribes did not come under the umbrella of the Declaration of Independence. Some of these tribes therefore launched, with complete justification, a guerilla war against the new American citizenry, especially when the latter decided to push westward and indulge itself in the forced acquisition of land. The author tells us of the smallpox biological warfare launched against the Appalachian tribes by the British, causing a major epidemic. He tell us of the thousands of black slaves who fought with the British in the Revolutionary War, as did the majority of the Indian tribes. He tell us of the keeping of slaves by Thomas Jefferson throughout his life, of the fact that most of the authors of the Constitution were men of wealth, and none were slaves, indentured servants, women, or men without property. He tell us of Shay's rebellion and its counter, the Riot Act, which allowed authorities to keep people in jail without trial, and of the defiance of Anne Hutchinson against the church fathers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He tells us of New Jersey's rescinding of women's right to vote in 1807, of a "feminist" movement as early as the 1840's, and of the founding in 1821 of the Troy Female Seminary by Emma Willard. The author reminds us that the war of 1812 was a conflict waged for expansion into Florida, Canada, and Indian territories, that Congress deliberately and without hesitation appropriated money for war against the Seminoles, and that President Van Buren openly bragged to Congress about the forced removal of Cherokees from lands east of the Mississippi. He reminds us of the doctrine of "manifest destiny" and its justification of the brutal war against Mexico waged by President James Polk in the 1840's with the jingoistic assistance of the newspapers (no other course would be rational some of them reported), with Mexico losing half its territory in the 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. He reminds us of the Anti-Renter movement in the Hudson valley of New York, and that the Renssalaer family at one time ruled over eighty thousand tenants. He reminds us of Dorr's Rebellion in Rhode Island that attacked the idea, and its perpetrators, that only landowners could vote. So yes, there is much in this book that is fascinating and that is food for a hungry and inquisitive mind. It certainly goes against the mainstream view, and any teacher of history will probably come under fire from those who employ them if they decide to discuss the facts and analysis in this book. The history of the United States has been one of brutality mixed with brilliance, the former of which is emphasized in the pages of this book. A future treatise might emphasize the latter, and together they can give a more accurate picture of what the United States is, what it has been, and its future potential.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2006

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