W. E. B. DuBois

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-- This biography of the noted black intellectual and prolific writer chronicles W. E. B. Du Bois' rise from a humble background to one of national and international renown as an advocate of racial equality. His shift to so cialism and eventually to communism late in his life embroiled him in a number of conflicts, but until his death at the age of 95 in Ghana, his devotion to various pursuits demonstrated the depth of his brillance and talents. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and supplemented by a bibliography (that is somewhat advanced for the age group of this book), this portrait of Du Bois is generally sound; his strengths and weaknesses are balanced, even though he comes across more as a researcher and sociologist than as a leader. Despite that, readers will gain insight into a man who was instrumental in shaping and challenging the course of racial progress. --Jeanette Lambert, LaVega School, Waco, TX