In 1924, in response to the pursuit of increasingly racist policies in the United States, W. E. B. Du Bois published a groundbreaking collection of essays that challenged the existing prejudices about Black people and provided a fuller accounting of Black contributions to American life.

The accomplishments that Du Bois chronicles here-in art, literature, economics, religion, industry, the military, and more-are stunning, especially considering the obstacles facing Black Americans. Du Bois makes the case that, collectively, Black Americans offer the fullest realization of the goal of democracy. Without these men and women, Du Bois argued, "America as we know it would have been impossible."

Du Bois's edifying work stands as an essential contribution to the history of the African American experience and an enduring testament to the importance of equality for all.

Revised edition: Previously published as The Gift of Black Folk, this edition of The Gift of Black Folk (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.