This collection of essays on African American history, culture,and society probes fundamental issues of race and justice and documentsDu Bois#xC3;#xA2;#xC2;#x80;#xC2;#x99;s conviction that the "soul" of the black community must bepreserved and revered.#xA0; The text reprinted here is that of the firstbook edition (1903). "Contexts" presents a fascinating collection of political andbiographical documents related to the text. Also included are eighteenphotographs that accompanied Du Bois#xC3;#xA2;#xC2;#x80;#xC2;#x99;s 1901 article "The Negro As HeReally Is." "Criticism" offers thirteen contemporary and recent assessments of DuBois and Souls, rounding out the picture of this enduring work.