The format surprised me and I think that was exactly the intention...Rather than being a political treatise, it took the approach of painting a picture of black folk around the turn of the century. Dubois decided that individual portraits could be used to represent an overall commonality between people and it was effective. Due to the format there were high and low points (and some VERY high points such as his discussion of the work of Booker T Washington) but the ride was a good one.

The reason this is such a vaulable read is it's timing: One generation after the Civil War and the first generation of "Modern Americans", this writing serves as a brilliant gap between Antebellum and Modern Americans. Many current problems are recognizable in these early-post-war days and it sheds light on racial problems we struggle with today.

Excellent stuff...a required reading to start grappling with race in America.