Noted primarily as a sociologist, a historian, a journalist, an essayist, and a civil rights activist, Du Bois (1868–1963) also wrote fiction, in it demonstrating his leadership in the genre of revolutionary art. In examining Du Bois, Doku artfully exposes the historical exigencies of imperialism, colonialism, segregation, and injustice, primarily in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The first half of the book (which derives from Doku's doctoral dissertation) concentrates on two major historical novels—The Quest of the Silver Fleece (1911) and Dark Princess (1928)—in which Du Bois explores the possibility of overcoming systemic racism. The second half gives a historical and practical account of Pan-Africanism and global recognition of human rights. The author looks at the historical, political, and sociological implications of cosmopolitanism as the ultimate political and moral goal of humanity. An original contribution to Africana studies and the sociology of diaspora, this book offers a genuinely interdisciplinary analysis of Du Bois’s literary fiction. The book ends with a panegyric on President Barack Obama. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above.

Choice Reviews

Meditating on the expansive horizons of DuBois’s literary and historical imagination, this work outlines DuBois’s cosmopolitan visions. Doku focuses on DuBois’s five novels and early short story 'Of the Coming of John' (1903) to argue for an evolution from 'classical humanism and Africology' to heterogeneous cosmopolitanisms in his thinking. Critical work by theorists including James Clifford and Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo augment Doku’s formulation of the avant-garde, discrepant, and black cosmopolitanisms that shape DuBois’s intellectual trajectory. This work will be of interest to scholars of African and African American studies, diaspora, cosmopolitanism, and modernism.

American Literature

Sam Doku’s book reminds us that Du Bois was a literary artist as well as a social critic, sociologist, civil rights activist and Pan-Africanist. Doku’s attention to the nuances and Du Bois’ creative writing demonstrates how fiction is often informed by the personal and the political. Doku’s analysis of Du Bois’ fiction is a welcomed addition to scholarship that seeks to reveal the complexities of one of the greatest scholars of the twentieth century.

Gregory Hampton, Howard University

In this sophisticated and innovative study, Samuel Doku explores tensions between DuBois’s black identity and his universalism through the lens of cosmopolitan theory, bringing important attention to lesser-known works by DuBois. Doku proposes that the ideals of cosmopolitanism can lend insight into the aspirations of DuBois and, potentially, other African-American writers as well.

Laura J. Rosenthal, University of Maryland