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The Souls of Black Folk  By  cover art

The Souls of Black Folk

By: W. E. B. Du Bois
Narrated by: Richard Allen
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Publisher's summary

W. E. B. Du Bois was the foremost Black intellectual of his time. The Souls of Black Folk, his most influential work, is a collection of 14 beautifully written essays, by turns lyrical, historical, and autobiographical. Here, Du Bois records the cruelties of racism, celebrates the strength and pride of Black America, and explores the paradoxical "double-consciousness" of African American life.

When it was first published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk quickly established itself as a work that wholly redefined the history of the Black experience in America, introducing the now-famous "problem of the color line." In the decades since its publication, its stature has only grown, and today it ranks as one of the most influential and resonant works in the history of American thought.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"The Souls of Black Folk throws much light upon the complexities of the negro problem, for it shows that the key note of at least some negro aspiration is still the abolition of the social color line." (New York Times Book Review, April 1903; Books of the Century)

What listeners say about The Souls of Black Folk

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History of African Americans after Emancipation

Where does The Souls of Black Folk rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is certainly in the top 5. I love "literature" and this surely classifies. It is definitely not a "beach read", because it requires concentration and thought.

Have you listened to any of Richard Allen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but could not because it is chock full of information and the vocabulary is extensive. It requires one to listen and stop in order to take it all in.

Any additional comments?

Sorry I slept through history class, but this makes up for it.

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5 people found this helpful

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Relevant and as important to hear as ever

This is as relevant today as when it was written. "Let the ears of the guilty people tingle with truth."

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Audible issue

The book is awesome! The audible skips and stops after chapter 10!!!!! It says you've reached the end of the professional reading! 5 chapters still to go! Complete disappointment! My suggestion, buy the book!

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2 people found this helpful

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Seminal Work of Black and American History

Listening to Richard Allen’s amazing narration of DuBois’ incredible work puts the Reader right in the middle of a 2021 Classroom listening to an essential CRT Lesson.

What DuBois saw and experienced in 1900 is what every American needs to understand about the Black experience after slavery was “abolished”. His calm, professorial tone does nothing to polish the ugliness of Jim Crow Reality. Rather it casts DuBois’ witness as Fact and clothes his aspirations with the robe of Possibility.

It is an astounding work that touches so many aspects of Black Life then and, unfortunately, Now. Every American, Black, White, Red, Yellow should read this book immediately. And the critics of CRT Education should shut the Hell up!

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1 person found this helpful

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A book that must be read by everybody.

Well narrated but repeatedly Dubois was mispronounced. The author never used the French pronunciation of his name and he was very particular about this.

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Great insights into post-civil war America

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, but I thought the reader made the book dry and hard to follow.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The crushing challenge of being black in the 2nd half of the 19th century.

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Allen’s performances?

No.

Could you see The Souls of Black Folk being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

More a documentary.

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Intense read but worthwhile one

This book is insightful and thought provoking. The book was written around the turn of the 20th century hence some readers may find the writing style challenging. It is disturbing that the issues are still present in the United States. Don’t shy away because the subject is a reflection of our country’s racism and in our inability to reconcile and address it in a mature and respectful way. This book is very much a provocative read.

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Well written and often inspiring

DuBois offers a counter view to Booker T Washington through his focus on classic education of the “talented tenth”. The scathing chapter on Washington was less surprising than his description of southern blacks as “shiftless”. I highly recommend it.

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Blackness

Mind probing as in the land of the free. Freedom yet to be attained in this land of the brave.

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  • kj
  • 02-18-23

Thoroughly enjoyed!

I am finding myself enjoying more and more the authentic perspective and presentation of one’s history.

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