The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)

Chicago: A.C. McClurg, 1903. viii, [1], 264, [1]pp. Third edition. Publisher's black cloth with gilt lettering, top-edge gilt. Private library stamp of "Rev. H.P. Anderson," A.M.E. pastor in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on front endpaper. Minor rubbing to cloth; front hinge expertly strengthened, brief pencil erasure on endpaper; small loss in margin of one leaf; very good. Du Bois's classic work in which his prophecy is presented: that the problem of the 20th century is that of the color line. Blockson 101: "Du Bois who for decades was recognized as an unusual and highly gifted author was the father of the Black Renaissance. For more than a half century, until his death in 1963, Du Bois occupied a pre-eminent position in Afro-American life and letters as historian, novelist, poet, critic, sociologist and visionary organizer whose work was of inter national significance. Souls Of Black Folk was written beautifully in a style which Du Bois labored to perfect. It is one of the note worthy books not merely of the period but of the epoch. The monumental work was the opening salvo in the struggle that has dominated the century for black and white Americans: the quest for dignity, justice and equality. Souls of Black Folk has an eloquent purpose. Every page is filled with spirituality and with spontaneity."  Du Bois's collection of 14 essays-each accompanied by a musical quotation from an African-American spiritual or "Sorrow Song"-includes such titles as "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others," "Of the Black Belt," and "Of the Sons of Master and Man." Blockson 101, #52.