"The Souls of Black Folk" is a book written by the African American scholar and civil rights activist W. E. B. Du Bois. It was first published in 1903. The book is a collection of essays that addresses various aspects of the African American experience in the United States in the early 20th century. Du Bois discusses the social, economic, and political challenges faced by African Americans during the era of Jim Crow segregation and racial discrimination. He also delves into the issues of education, identity, and the concept of "double consciousness," which refers to the feeling of being both African American and American in a society that often treated African Americans as second-class citizens. "The Souls of Black Folk" is celebrated for its insightful analysis, eloquent prose, and its contribution to the discussion of race, identity, and civil rights. Du Bois's work is considered a seminal text in African American literature and the civil rights movement, and it continues to be influential in discussions of racial and social justice.