The World of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Quotation Sourcebook

(Hardback)

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W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the leading activist men of letters in 20th-century America. Du Bois organised, protested, laid out programmes, petitioned, and raised questions of long-term strategy and short-term tactics. He wrote detailed scholarly investigations, "Souls of Black Folk" and "Black Reconstruction" among them, as well as popular current articles. He was a commanding speaker and a prodigious correspondent, however, it was not until the 1980s that his complete writings became available. "The World of W.E.B. Du Bois" was created to provide a short journey through his views on virtually all aspects of 20th-century life. More than 1000 quotations from his published writings and correspondence are provided. These are grouped into 19 topical and one miscellaneous chapter. Each quote begins with a heading designed to summarise the main sense of the quotation. A subject index provides additional access to the ideas of Du Bois. Useful reading for all involved in American race relations and intellectual history and American and Black Studies.

Reviews

A collection of memorable quotations from Du Bois is a welcome and important contribution.-ARBA
Most valuable to students seeking to sample the wealth of ideas in Du Bois's vast body of writing. Scholars will also benefit by easily locating sources for Du Bois's views on an impressive variety of topics. Because Weinberg has drawn extensively from the unpublished writings of Du Bois, students and scholars alike will be exposed to sources that are not easily accessible otherwise.-The Journal of American History
The major thoughts, ideas, predictions, and judgments from DuBois's voluminous published and unpublished writings have been selected, arranged, classified, and indexed in this work. Following an introductory overview of the life of this controversial educator, journalist, and civil rights leader, quotations are grouped under 20 broad chapters, e.g., working class, politics, and racism, then alphabetically arranged under relevant headings. Quotations in "War and Peace," for example, range from "armament" to "World War II." While most quotes deal with the situation of African Americans, DuBois's observations over seven decades embody a broad range of social issues. Most selections adequately convey DuBois's opinions; however, as they are taken out of context, a few may leave the reader bewildered as to their intent and/or relevance. Fortunately, the original sources of all quotes are meticulously cited. This compilation by an emeritus black studies academician is recommended for race relations and intellectual history collections.-Library Journal
"A collection of memorable quotations from Du Bois is a welcome and important contribution."-ARBA
"Most valuable to students seeking to sample the wealth of ideas in Du Bois's vast body of writing. Scholars will also benefit by easily locating sources for Du Bois's views on an impressive variety of topics. Because Weinberg has drawn extensively from the unpublished writings of Du Bois, students and scholars alike will be exposed to sources that are not easily accessible otherwise."-The Journal of American History
"The major thoughts, ideas, predictions, and judgments from DuBois's voluminous published and unpublished writings have been selected, arranged, classified, and indexed in this work. Following an introductory overview of the life of this controversial educator, journalist, and civil rights leader, quotations are grouped under 20 broad chapters, e.g., working class, politics, and racism, then alphabetically arranged under relevant headings. Quotations in "War and Peace," for example, range from "armament" to "World War II." While most quotes deal with the situation of African Americans, DuBois's observations over seven decades embody a broad range of social issues. Most selections adequately convey DuBois's opinions; however, as they are taken out of context, a few may leave the reader bewildered as to their intent and/or relevance. Fortunately, the original sources of all quotes are meticulously cited. This compilation by an emeritus black studies academician is recommended for race relations and intellectual history collections."-Library Journal

Author Bio

MEYER WEINBERG is Professor Emeritus at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is the author or compiler of numerous works dealing with education and race/ethnicity issues.