Includes bibliographical references (pages 431-437) and index.

The Soliloquy is a unique, personal commentary upon a century in which Dr. Du Bois played a most consequential role. Perhaps more than anyone else, his deeply informed, impassioned writings and ceaseless activity brought to the fore the problems of racial oppression in the 20th century. Written in his 90th year, he took the manuscript with him to Ghana where he went to live late in 1961. Rescued from Accra, after the military coup of early 1966, it is now published as he wrote it, with only a few minor changes of a technical nature. Although he had written two seminal autobiographies previously -- one in his 50th year (Darkwater) and one in his 70th year (Dusk of Dawn) -- the present volume is quite different. The earlier books were more essays on the concept of race as felt in his own life rather than conventional biographies. The Soliloquy not only covers an additional two decades in which the outlook of the author was significantly altered. Unlike the others, it is more fully autobiographical. He seeks, as he writes, "to view my life as frankly and fully as I can." With his characteristic honesty and directness, he warns the reader of the intense subjectivity of autobiography, offering the account of his life as he understood it and as he "would like others to believe." As scholar, author, lecturer and organizer, Dr. Du Bois was a leader since the turn of the century in the movement for black liberation. The story of his personal life is thus inseparable from the entire course of this struggle, beginning with the Niagara Movement and his famous debate with Booker T. Washington, followed by his major role in the NAACP and as editor of The Crisis. Among the first to grasp the world-wide aspects of black liberation, he became a founder of the Pan-African movement, and soon joined the struggle against colonialism. Already in his 70's, he threw himself into the fight for peace during the height of the Cold War, and then on his 90th year embarked on an extensive trip through the socialist countries. He died at the age of 95, on the eve of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and was hailed by all as the founder of the movement which led to the March. The Autobiography is not only the life story of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. It is a panoramic view of the great social revolution of our time. The editor, Herbert Aptheker, has added a selected bibliography of Dr. Du Bois' writings, a calendar of his life, and reference notes. Sixteen pages of photographs illustrate his life.

Also issued online.

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