Du Bois on Religion

Zuckerman's work represents an important first step in recognizing the significant contributions Du Bois made in the study of religion-work equally important as his scholarly advances in the areas of sociology, education, journalism, civil rights, and politics. -- Yolanda Pierce, University of Kentucky H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online Nowhere is political activist W.E.B. DuBois's special gift for keen observation and biting social analysis more evident than in these 26 short essays, selections, and stories on black religion. -- T.L. Lott, (San Jose State University) CHOICE William Edward Burghardt Du Bois is considered one of the foremost sociologists on the African-American experience. In Du Bois on Religion, Phil Zuckerman reminds us that W.E.B. Du Bois was also an outstanding thinker and scholar in the sociology ofreligion... As a result of Zuckerman's editorial skills, the reader sees a portrait of Du Bois as an outspoken activist against racism, classism, discrimination, and segregation found in white society as well as class- and sex-based segregations that often occurred in the African-American community... Of particular strength is Zuckerman's ability to arrange excerpts of longer works and seldom-published pieces to support Du Bois's contention that the African-American church was as much a social institution as a spiritual one ('The Church and the Negro') and the fluidity of the sacred and the secular for African-Americans ('Souls of Black Folk')... The book succeeds both at presenting samples of Du Bois's scholarly studies and personal writings on the sociology of religion as well as capturing the gradual progression from Du Bois the optimistic, reverent, and somewhat naive proselyte to Du Bois the cynical, disillusioned agnostic... Zuckerman situates Du Bois with classical sociological greats such as D -- Sandra L. Barnes, (Purdue University) Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion This volume presents a collection of 26 works by W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) that establish his place in the sociology of religion & offer a new perspecive on the influence of religion on his ideas on race & social justice. -- K. Hyatt Stewart Sociological Abstracts, (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts) This classroom-usable collection compiles major essays, addresses, poems, and personal writings by W.E.B. Du Bois about religious topics...a most useful compilation text. -- Paul Harvey, (University of Colorado) Religious Studies Review William Edward Burghardt Du Bois is considered one of the foremost sociologists on the African-American experience. In Du Bois on Religion, Phil Zuckerman reminds us that W.E.B. Du Bois was also an outstanding thinker and scholar in the sociology of religion... As a result of Zuckerman's editorial skills, the reader sees a portrait of Du Bois as an outspoken activist against racism, classism, discrimination, and segregation found in white society as well as class- and sex-based segregations that often occurred in the African-American community... Of particular strength is Zuckerman's ability to arrange excerpts of longer works and seldom-published pieces to support Du Bois's contention that the African-American church was as much a social institution as a spiritual one ('The Church and the Negro') and the fluidity of the sacred and the secular for African-Americans ('Souls of Black Folk')... The book succeeds both at presenting samples of Du Bois's scholarly studies and personal writings on the sociology of religion as well as capturing the gradual progression from Du Bois the optimistic, reverent, and somewhat naive proselyte to Du Bois the cynical, disillusioned agnostic... Zuckerman situates Du Bois with classical sociological greats such as Durkheim and Weber and provides clear evidence why this is so. This well-edited text is definitely recommended reading for an advanced undergraduate course or first-year graduate course in sociology of religion, African-American studies, or cultural studies. -- Sandra L. Barnes, (Purdue University) Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion This volume presents a collection of 26 works by W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) that establish his place in the sociology of religion & offer a new perspecive on the influence of religion on his ideas on race & social justice. -- K. Hyatt Stewart Sociological Abstracts, (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts)