A review by katie_skean
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois

Glad that I read this. The first few chapters I was like "This is surprisingly contemporary-sounding and accessible language," but then there were chapters with lots of "forsooth" and other old-timey words, and language reflecting the casual classism of his time like referring to "good breeding" or "the more intelligent classes of people." He had compassion for impoverished people and advocated for better educational and economic opportunities for them, so I would say he was anti-classist for his time, but these sorts of phrases can be jarring for the modern reader. (Even though there is still rampant classism and classist language today, obviously.) Similar jarring moments with some other issues as well. But it feels very good to have read such an important historical primary source document and to get a little more familiar with his writings firsthand. He was very insightful and courageous.