W.E.B. Du Bois : an encyclopedia /

Du Bois (1868-1963) stands as one of the most important American scholars and intellectuals of the 20th century, known for his untiring advocacy for black civil, social, and economic equality in the US and elsewhere. This encyclopedia devoted to his life and achievements takes the premise that Du Bois's rich and instructive life serves as a prism through which readers may gain insights into 20th-century African American history. On the whole, the work succeeds admirably. Longtime Du Bois scholar Gerald Horne and Mary Young (black studies, Berea College) lead an interdisciplinary group of scholar-contributors whose concise articles, all signed, are consistently informative. They include biographies of black personages and intellectuals, accounts of events, issues, and controversies related to Du Bois, and critiques of Du Bois's published writings. The book holds together well as a subject encyclopedia arranged alphabetically incorporating good cross-references and an adequate subject index. Added features include a chronology, black-and-white photographs, an extensive bibliography, brief lists of suggested readings appended to signed article, and a foreword by Du Bois biographer David Levering Lewis. Recommended for all academic collections. K. Potts California State University--Stanislaus

A brief preface notes that "this book seeks to provide new insight into the protean life of W. E. B. Du Bois by examining individuals, occurrences, themes, places, organizations, and the like." Entries are arranged alphabetically, from Accommodations versus struggle to World War I. Each is signed and includes a list of suggested further reading. A chronology provides historical perspective. The general bibliography not only leads to selected writings of Du Bois, including his poetry, but also offers additional resources on issues of concern to Du Bois, such as birth control, colonialism, and anti-Semitism. The encyclopedia aims to offer "entries that point to the leading influences on his rich and instructive life." Subjects include family members; such supporters as James Weldon Johnson and Paul Robeson; and those who, like Booker T. Washington, did not share Du Bois' views. Various aspects of Du Bois' activism are fleshed out in Pan-Africanism and Socialism/Communism, to cite two examples. There are entries on his writings and scholarly pursuits (The Crisis, Encyclopedia projects) and his relation to the arts (Drama, Poetry). Historic events, such as the Brownsville Raid and the cold war; world leaders, such as Mao Zedong and Theodore Roosevelt; and places, such as Africa and China, are included; but discussions always center on their influence on Du Bois' attitude and involvement. This highly readable work is suitable for public and academic libraries. It is a tool that provides both facts and the sinew that joins those facts into a comprehensive portrait of Du Bois and his many roles.

As multifaceted as the man himself, this first encyclopedic treatment of the 20th-century writer, scholar, and activist references events, people, places, themes, issues, cultural products, and organizations from Du Bois's life (1868-1963), which spanned three continents. Arranged alphabetically and signed by highly recognized scholars, the 137 substantial entries range broadly, covering Du Bois's involvement in literature, U.S. and world politics, journalism, education, and the arts. Included is the esoteric four-page "Encyclopedia Projects," which features a less-significant aspect of Du Bois's life. The entries are sandwiched between a foreword, brief preface, introduction, and chronology in the beginning and a subject bibliography, list of contributors, and index at the end. The bibliography also includes a section for web sites on Du Bois, Pan Africanism, and his classic The Souls of Black Folk. Noted Du Bois biographer David Levering Lewis wrote the foreword, while Horne (Race Woman) and Young (director of black studies, Berea Coll.) coedited the volume. All students and scholars looking for information on Du Bois will appreciate this resource. Recommended for all public and academic libraries. Sherri L. Barnes, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.