🎓 Book Review: The Talented Tenth by W. E. B. Du Bois (Kindle Edition)
A visionary essay that champions education, leadership, and moral development as the keys to racial uplift—Du Bois’s call for cultivating an intellectual elite remains one of the most influential ideas in African American thought.
🧠 Overview
Originally published in 1903 as part of The Negro Problem, The Talented Tenth is a foundational essay by W. E. B. Du Bois, one of the most prominent African American scholars and civil rights activists of the 20th century. In this 30-page Kindle edition, Du Bois argues that the future of the Black race depends on the development of its most gifted individuals—the “Talented Tenth”—who would lead and uplift the broader community through education, character, and service.
This essay was a direct response to Booker T. Washington’s emphasis on vocational training and economic self-reliance. Du Bois instead advocated for liberal arts education, believing that cultivating thinkers, teachers, and leaders was essential for long-term progress.
✨ Key Themes
- 🎓 Higher education as empowerment: Du Bois insists that true progress requires intellectual and moral development, not just technical skill
- 🧠 Leadership through excellence: The “Talented Tenth” are envisioned as role models who guide the masses toward dignity and equality
- ⚖️ Critique of materialism: He warns against making money or trade the sole aim of education, arguing for a deeper pursuit of “manhood” and wisdom
- 📚 Historical evidence: Du Bois cites examples of educated Black leaders who have already made significant contributions to society
“Men we shall have only as we make manhood the object of the work of the schools—intelligence, broad sympathy, knowledge of the world that was and is…” — W. E. B. Du Bois
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.39/5 from over 100 readers
- 📖 Readers praise its clarity, conviction, and timeless relevance
- 🧾 Some note that while the essay reflects early 20th-century language and context, its core message still resonates today
- 💬 “A powerful reminder that leadership must be cultivated, not assumed.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Historical context: Written in 1903, some terminology and references may feel dated but are essential to understanding its impact
- 📚 Essay format: It’s a philosophical and educational treatise—not a narrative or memoir
- 🧾 Best read alongside Washington’s writings: Offers a richer understanding of the ideological debate between two major Black leaders
🏁 Final Verdict
The Talented Tenth is a seminal essay that challenges readers to consider the role of education, leadership, and moral responsibility in social progress. W. E. B. Du Bois’s vision remains a cornerstone of African American intellectual history and a compelling read for anyone interested in civil rights, education reform, or leadership theory.
