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The Souls of Black Folk cover art

The Souls of Black Folk

By: W. E. B. Du Bois
Narrated by: Mirron Willis
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Summary

“The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line,” writes Du Bois, in one of the most prophetic works in all of American literature. First published in 1903, this collection of 15 essays dared to describe the racism that prevailed at that time in America—and to demand an end to it. Du Bois’ writing draws on his early experiences, from teaching in the hills of Tennessee, to the death of his infant son, to his historic break with the conciliatory position of Booker T. Washington.

Du Bois received a doctorate from Harvard in 1895 and became a professor of economics and history at Atlanta University. His dynamic leadership in the cause of social reform on behalf of his fellow blacks anticipated and inspired much of the black activism of the 1960s.

The Souls of Black Folk is a classic in the literature of civil rights.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868–1963) was one of the greatest African American intellectuals - a sociologist, historian, novelist, and activist whose astounding career spanned the nation’s history from Reconstruction to the civil rights movement. Born in Massachusetts and educated at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, his masterpiece remains his most studied and popular work. Its insights into black life at still ring true today.

Public Domain (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

“Thanks to W. E. B. Du Bois’ commitment and foresight—and the intellectual excellence expressed in this timeless literary gem—black Americans can today look in the mirror and rejoice in their beautiful black, brown, and beige reflections.” (Amazon.com review)

What listeners say about The Souls of Black Folk

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Beautiful, harrowing, vital

A vitally important, if melancholy, work exploring the nature of black life in reconstruction America. 100 years has done nothing to dull the nessesity of reading and understanding the section of American history oft forgotten by the politics of today.

When people speak of equality, this captures the reason why, generations on from emancipation, the lives of black people in the US and more widely still echo with the sombre tones of the sorrow songs.

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The eyes of uncomfortable views

ive always heard of this persons views and seen the results of his interacial divination.
now as this is my first indept interaction, I am sure I would be pasted by without a taught.

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Exceptional, detailed and relevant

When listening to many of Du Bois' ideas and analyses, it is easy to forget when this book was written.

Powerful and intellectual, it is a great collection of essays and a comprehensive look at the key events that took place during that time period which led to many changes and challenges.

Very enjoyable, especially for teachers and educators.

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Super Important Book.

This is such an important and insightful book to come to understand the world we live in and specifically the circumstances and conditions of African Americans living in the USA. The narrator does an amazing job of bringing the text to life with true emotion when it could have so easily have been a bookish and depressing read. Both the author and the narrator have an eloquence that makes this book a wonder to read, despite the distressing nature of its subject. I highly recommend it.

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