Prominent leftist writer Howard Zinn spoke to a packed crowd in downtown Waltham last Wednesday, arguing that American society has failed to acknowledge the voices of common people.In the former location of Jordan's Furniture Store, about 175 people, including 40 Brandeis students, gathered to hear the liberal icon promote his latest work, People's Voices of a People's History of the United States, a companion to A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present. The event was sponsored by Waltham's first general-interest bookstore, Back Pages Books, which is owned and operated by two 2004 Brandeis graduates.

People's Voices also includes essays on the war in Iraq, including commentary on how alternative media sources present news on the war and increased American awareness of the practices of the Bush Administration, Zinn said.

"Confidence in this administration is going down as the death toll in the wars rises," he explained. "Something has got to give if this growing awareness on the part of the American people continues."

Zinn said the Democratic gubernatorial victories last week in New Jersey and Virginia reflect a growing shift in politics. "The tide has been turning," he said.

Though "we don't have swastikas," Zinn said, the United States should be cautious of fascist tendencies, including the denial of civil liberties to many of its citizens.

Student activism, Zinn said, pointing to the Brandeis students in the crowd, is alive and well. Zinn invited Noah Klinger '08 to discuss the state of activism on college campuses.

"There is always something happening," Klinger said. "There is spreading awareness and petition-signing."

Aaron Voldman '09, a coordinator of the Brandeis chapter of the political action committee Democracy for America, called Zinn's talk "mesmerizing and inspiring."

Katharine Braun-Levine '04 agreed. "It was great to see the man behind the words, and to see that he is still educating people and bringing hope," she said.

But Igor Finkelshteyn '09 said Zinn's talk did not shed light on anything. "He didn't really say anything novel," he said. "He just catered to the people who were there.