“A remarkable study . . . . Mr. Lewis so vividly evokes the environments that shaped Du Bois that one almost participates in the life.” —Waldo E. Martin, Jr., The New York Times Book Review

“An engrossing masterpiece . . . . A dazzling feat of scholarship performed with Lewis's customary grace of style.” —Nell Irvin Painter, The Washington Post Book World

“To say that Lewis's is the finest biography of Du Bois ever written hardly does justice to his performance. Until the publication of this superb new book, Du Bois's life had never received the treatment it deserves.” —Eric Foner, The Nation

“A marvel of scholarship and discernment. David Levering Lewis's remarkable, stunningly detailed book reshapes our understanding of Du Bois at so many points as to instantly become the standard biography.” —Martin Bauml Duberman