From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10- The long, complex life of this scholar and controversial civil rights leader is examined in this serviceable biography. Hinman offers insights into the background, beliefs, and conflicts that shaped and defined Du Bois. Beginning with his impoverished but sheltered upbringing in western Massachusetts, she describes his experiences at Fisk University in Tennessee, where he learned firsthand about the racism, social injustice, and economic disparity that plagued the vast majority of African Americans in the late 19th century. Becoming a social scientist, he began to research African Americans, assuming that documentation of their social problems would inspire change and eventually erase "the color line," but soon realized that more aggressive tactics were needed. The author recounts how Du Bois became a founding member of the NAACP, explaining that his ideas about how to achieve equality for his people were often at odds with that organization and frequently generated public controversy. She also covers his interest in Pan-Africanism, his support of communist governments, his disillusionment with American capitalistic society, and his move to Ghana during his final years. The engaging, informative, balanced text is enhanced with documentary photographs and illustrations. Family relationships and hardships are described, but the focus is on Du Bois's intellectual pursuits, outspoken beliefs, and political conflicts. An accessible and valuable addition.-Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
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Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 9-12. This begins with a vivid portrayal of W. E. B. Du Bois' youth in a western Massachusetts town, where he grew up relatively sheltered from racial prejudice. As an adult, he became a sociologist, historian, professor, writer, editor, speaker, social activist, and a founding member of the NAACP. Believing in the power of education and knowledge to end racial injustice in American society, he had the courage to take unpopular positions and even to speak out against other African American leaders when he believed that they were mistaken. In portraying Du Bois, Hinman provides a personal story that also enlightens readers about history and social changes in America throughout his subject's long life, from Reconstruction to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Reproduced in color, the many illustrations include period paintings, documents, and photos. A time line, source notes, a bibliography, and a list of Internet sites are appended. A well-balanced addition to the Civil Rights Leaders series, this provides both detail and perspective. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
