Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States" is the nation's best-known work of American history. It is also the nation's best-selling survey of American history, having sold two million copies since its publication in 1980 and still selling about 125,000 paperback copies yearly. The fifth and current edition covers America up to the World Trade Center attacks and war on terrorism after 2001. Many college historians dismiss or ignore "A People's History," unaware of its enduring popularity and influence. They should not. Zinn's readers are legion, and they can be found not only on campus but also in media, entertainment, and government. Published by HarperCollins, "A People's History" is what is called a "crossover" book, the rare trade book that also sells as a textbook, something every commercial nonfiction editor dreams of, since such books can turn into money machines. "A People's History" is a recommended text today in many college courses, not only in American history but also in economics, political science, sociology, and women's studies. It is an Advanced Placement history course favorite. And yet, in this article, the author shows how Zinn, who created the "99 percent" idea, makes a mockery of the American story. (Contains 21 footnotes.)