When it was published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk revolutionized thinking about the experience of African Americans in the United States.
This collection of essays on African American history, culture, and society probes fundamental issues of race and justice and documents Du Bois’s conviction that the "soul" of the black community must be preserved and revered. The text reprinted here is that of the first book edition (1903)."synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
With a dash of the Victorian and Enlightenment influences that peppered his impassioned yet formal prose, the book's largely autobiographical chapters take the reader through the momentous and moody maze of Afro-American life after the Emancipation Proclamation: from poverty, the neoslavery of the sharecropper, illiteracy, miseducation, and lynching, to the heights of humanity reached by the spiritual "sorrow songs" that birthed gospel and the blues. The most memorable passages are contained in "On Booker T. Washington and Others," where Du Bois criticizes his famous contemporary's rejection of higher education and accommodationist stance toward white racism: "Mr. Washington's programme practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro races," he writes, further complaining that Washington's thinking "withdraws many of the high demands of Negroes as men and American citizens." The capstone of The Souls of Black Folk, though, is Du Bois' haunting, eloquent description of the concept of the black psyche's "double consciousness," which he described as "a peculiar sensation.... One ever feels this twoness--an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." 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. --Eugene Holley Jr.
Far ahead of its time, The Souls Of Black Folk both anticipated and inspired much of the black conciousness and activism of the 1960's and is a classic in the literature of civil rights. The elegance of DuBois's prose and the passion of his message are as crucial today as they were upon the book's first publication.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. NEW First Edition Trade Paperback, Norton Critical Edition (Orig. 1999) Tenth Printing (c. 2014): NEW gloss-laminated handsomely-designed color cover w/ sharp NEW edges & corners, EXCELLENT unblemished smooth-cut text-block exterior, NEW perfect binding w/ uncreased spine, PRISTINE interior printed w/ SPLENDID Clarity on EXCELLENT unblemished archival paper w/ SUPERB presentation of footnotes & other scholarly apparatus * 5.00" x 8.30" x 0.76", 0.40 kg, xlii+374 (416) pp * ABOUT THE BOOK: When it was published in 1903, "The Souls of Black Folk" revolutionized thinking about the experience of African Americans in the United States. This collection of essays on African American history, culture, & society probes fundamental issues of race & justice & documents Du Bois's conviction that the "soul" of the black community must be preserved & revered. The text reprinted here is that of the first book edition (1903). "Contexts" presents a fascinating collection of political & biographical documents related to the text. Also included are 18 photographs that accompanied Du Bois?s 1901 article "The Negro As He Really Is." "Criticism" offers 13 contemporary & recent assessments of Du Bois & "Souls", rounding out the picture of this enduring work. * ABOUT THE EDITOR: Since 1991 HENRY LOUIS GATES has been the W.E.B. Du Bois Professor of the Humanities & chair of the Department of Afircan-American Studies at Harvard University. A tireless, brilliant, & dedicated scholar, he has edited & written innumerable works. A winner of the MacArthr Prize, he lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. * ABOUT NORTON CRITICAL EDITIONS: Each Norton Critical Edition includes an authoritative text, contextual & source materials, & a wide range of interpretations--from contemporary perspectives to the most current critical theory--as well as a bibliography, &, in most cases, a chronology of the author's life & work. * SHIPPING: MNEMOSYNE carefully wraps, labels & custom-packages this fine book for FREE domestic shipment via USPS MEDIA MAIL or USPS PRIORITY MAIL for a below-cost additional fee & via Mandatory USPS PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL AIRMAIL to international destinations at our posted rates. Seller Inventory # 009883
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. First Edition. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes). Seller Inventory # 000412822N
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_039397393X
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # newMercantile_039397393X
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780393973938
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 039397393X
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon039397393X
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. The Souls of Black Folk 0.91. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780393973938
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard039397393X
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780393973938