Often revealingly autobiographical, Du Bois explores topics as diverse as the death of his infant son and the politics of Booker T. Washington. In every essay, he shows the consequences of both a political color line and an internal one, as he grapples with the contradictions of being black and being American.--Publisher's description.

Originally published in 1903.

I. Of our spiritual strivings -- II. Of the dawn of freedom -- III. Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and others -- IV. Of the meaning of progress -- V. Of the wings of Atlanta -- VI. Of the training of black men -- VII. Of the black belt -- VIII. Of the quest of the golden fleece -- IX. Of the sons of master and man -- X. Of the faith of the fathers -- XI. Of the passing of the first-born -- XII. Of Alexander Crummell -- XIII. Of the coming of John -- XIV. Of the sorrow songs.