A Small Nation of People: W. E. B. Du Bois and African American Portraits of Progress

by David Levering Lewis and Deborah Willis

Book Overview

As the world prepared for the Exposition Universalle de 1900 in Paris, W. E. B. Du Bois was approached to help represent African American life. He came with a cache of stunning photographs to illustrate the progress of Negroes in America -- thereby offering a photographic counterpoint to the prolific stereotyping of blacks that left viewers awestruck. With insights from Pulitzer Prize winner David Levering Lewis and Mac-Arthur Fellow photo historian...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060523425
• ISBN13: 9780060523428
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Amistad Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Good company to buy from

I got exactly what I ordered in a good condition. I received it in an orderly time.

Excellent

I love African American photography, and this book is a wonderful example of the images that we don't often see: the African American middle class. This makes an excellent gift for a history and/or photography buff.

A Wonderful Discovery!

I first discovered this little treasure while reading a book review in Ebony magazine. I was immediately drawn to this title because 1. it was by Du Bois, 2. the book featued pictures of African-Americans that were displayed during the World's Fair in Paris-1900. I enjoyed looking at the vintage photographs but the only downfall is that some of the photographs are not labeled and i would have also appreciated a longer description on the photographs. overall this is a great book for the entire family to enjoy for generations to come.

The Beauty of a People Recorded in Pictures

It it the last photo in this book that I believe leaves the most indelible impression on my mind. The photo is of a young woman/girl smiling as if she hasn't a worry in the world. One cannot help but be moved inexpressively by her picture.The book is composed of photographs of black Americans that were part of the world exhibition showing the "progess" of men in the 1900's. W.E.B. Du Bois put the photographs together for show to contradict the negative stereotypes of blacks of his day. In each of picture you see men and women at work, play, or just in imtimate photographs meant to give to a loved one, friend, or to show their own personal achievement and status to the world and their community.There are black Americans of every beautiful hue in the book from dark to very light, each a protrait of personel dignity and integrity who did not make Faustian deals for fame and forturne like all to many blacks in the popular culture of Hollywood and the media today, especially if they are exceptioanlly light. The men and women in this book challeged the prejudices against them instead of catering to it, a lesson for anyone regardless of race, religion, or sexuality. This is a book that should not be purchased by only blacks, but whites as well and others seeking just to understand the history and diversity of black America beyond what popular culture wants you to think or sell you.

A Must for Anyone Interested in American History

The story of the pictures that W.E.B. Du Bois collected for the Paris World's Fair in 1900 is really inspiring and fascinating. He had only four months to make an entire exhibit -- when the vast majority of exhibitors participating had far longer. Years in some cases! And yet Du Bois triumphed. Plus the pictures are beautiful and surprising. Don't miss this book if you or your family is interested in American History.