W.E.B. DuBois: The Fight for Equality and the American Century, 1919-1963

by David L. Lewis

Hardcover, 1993

Status

Available

Publication

New York : H. Holt, 1993-2000.

Description

This second volume of what is already a classic work begins with the triumphal return from WWI of African American veterans to the shattering reality of racism and lynching even as America discovers the New Negro of literature and art. In stunning detail, Lewis chronicles the little-known political agenda behind the Harlem Renaissance and Du Bois's relentless fight for equality and justice, including his steadfast refusal to allow whites to interpret the aspirations of black America. Seared by the rejection of terrified liberals and the black bourgeoisie during the Communist witch-hunts, Du Bois ended his days in uncompromising exile in newly independent Ghana. In re-creating the turbulent times in which he lived and fought, Lewis restores the inspiring and famed Du Bois to his central place in American history.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member nickhoonaloon
I just don`t lead the sort of life that allows me to read books like this without interruption, so I`m going to review it in instalments.

Levering Lewis` approach is to provide a wealth of period detail to accompany his account of each stage of his subject`s life, presumably in an effort to paint a
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portrait of the age and not just the man.

In the early years, as young Willie Du Bois is growing up, the effect is stunning, and really does bring the picture to life.

As we progress, I`m not always convinced the effect is so well-judged. At times, we do seem to get sidetracked into looking at people and events of only indirect relevance. the author is a little inclined also to raise questions which even he acknowledges cannot be answered ! I have a friend who does that, and much though I like him, it always makesme want to hit him ! I don`t as yet want to hit David Levering Lewis, and I will certainly refrain from doing so.

In fairness, to Mr L, his aim seems to be to present Du Bois with all his complexiity, contradictions and quirks intact - quite a bit to go at there, I would think - as distinct from Manning Marable, who chose to emphasise a thread of consistency running through du Bois` thinking. I have sometimes felt with this book, that the more Mr L denies that consistency, the more it seems to appear. Having said that, I wouldn`t like to compare the two too much - it`s like two men doing different jobs, who can say which did his job the best ?

Will resume this review when I get the chance to read more (and when I`m less tired). So far, despite some reservations, I would rate this as, say 4 out of 5, so pretty good overall.
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Awards

National Book Award (Finalist — Nonfiction — 1993)
Pulitzer Prize (Winner — 1994)
National Book Critics Circle Award (Finalist — Biography/Autobiography — 1993)
Ambassador Book Award (Winner — Biography/Autobiography — 1994)
Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (Nonfiction — 1994)

Language

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