W. E. B. du Bois Souls of Black Folk

Absolutely stunning analysis of the post Civil War ups (and mostly) downs of the freed people. I thought the chapter about the one county in Georgia and how life changed for its black citizens between 1865 and 1900 was the most impactful. His observations and analysis reverberate to our time. If only the nation had listened to people like him after the war instead of walking away and looking the other way while the enslaved people were terrorized and subjugated.

I can't believe I hadn't read this before now. It gives fascinating historical snapshots of life after the civil war. It's also interesting to see how, when women are mentioned at all, they only exist as mothers or people whose "chastity" needs to be worried about.

librivox.org/souls-of-black-folks-by-web-du-bois/