Distinguished author, editor, and American civil rights leader, W(illiam) E(dward) B(urghardt) Du Bois (1868-1963) was a relentless and impassioned champion of civil rights. The architect in 1905 of the Niagra Movement (the forerunner of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Du Bois was an eloquent and immensely knowledgeable writer and public speaker, who helped shape the revolt of black intellectuals against the conciliatory policies of Booker T. Washington. this collection of fiery essays, sketches and poems, first published nearly 80 years ago in the Atlantic, the Journal of Race Development and other journals, was written at the height of Du Bois' political influence in the U.S. Reflecting his ideas as a politician, historian and artist, the book has long moved and inspired readers with its militant cry for social, political, and economic reforms for black Americans.