Magnificent!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend the audiobook of Du Bois' "Darkwater" to a friend because it is his best book. I love his "Souls of Black Folk," but "Darkwater" took me into the uncharted territory of Du Bois interweaving essays, poetry, and short stories. His standout proto-feminist essay "The Damnation of Women" is one of the earliest and greatest feminist essays by a man and in the short story "The Comet" Du Bois writes a science fiction story that is both political and entertaining. I highly recommend "Darkwater" as THE Du Bois book to give to friends.

What other book might you compare Darkwater to and why?

"Darkwater" has no other comparison. It is singular in a class by itself. It is even better than Hemingway's first book "Three Stories and Ten Poems." In "Darkwater," Du Bois is at the top of his game as a deep, creative thinker.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of the five narrators’s other performances before, but they did a masterful job in switching off to perform essays, stories, and poetry as if they were their own thoughts and words. I heard Du Bois' mind at work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I want to listen to this book all in one sitting. It is deep, meandering, but with a sharp focus. It is not widely known that Du Bois wrote poetry and short stories. As a poet and short story writer myself, I cheered to read the little known work of this master writer.

Any additional comments?

Do not stop at reading Du Bois' "The Souls of Black Folk." Read his "Darkwater" as well. If given a choice, I would choose "Darkwater" over "Souls." It is fun, creative, and political. I sense and grasp this man in his entirety when I listen to "Darkwater."

7 people found this helpful

Brilliant!

He was writing 100 years ago, but the brilliance of Du Bois is absolutely relevant today. Breathtaking work!

6 people found this helpful

Powerful!

I have appreciated W.E.B. Du Bois as an essayist and writer of historical texts, but now I appreciate, with great excitement, his fiction. Powerful!

2 people found this helpful

Wonderful

DuBois essays are still startling relevant today. I really liked that each essay was read by a different person---it made it much easier to recognize the shifts in topic/essay. The only improvement I'd want is to have each essay dated so it's a little easier to discern what historical events sparked each essay.

2 people found this helpful

Stunning

A book I didn't know I needed in my life and yet one I don't think I could now live without.

2 people found this helpful

Very insightful, enjoyable read will recommend to

audible listeners friends and family and acquaintances wonderful insight into the turn of the century America

1 person found this helpful

A look inside Mr. W.E.B Du Bois mind.

I enjoyed the book, A peek inside Mr. Du Bois thoughts. Worth your time 😊

1 person found this helpful

Du Bois!

His arguments are always well-thought-out well-thought-out and insightful. It's amazing how his experience then in still informs us today.

Exceptional.

very easy to listen to. Enjoyed the speakers. ...... . . . . . . .

didn't like the ending

interesting that it ended with a story of a black man saving, serving and protecting her. 😒😒