What is the author's tone in the book, W. E. B. Du Bois, 1868-1919: Biography of a Race?

The author also seems to believe he is writing to liberals and socialists who will agree that most racial problems have their roots in economic conflict, just as W.E.B Du Bois came to believe. Lewis assumes most other ideas are outdated.

Lewis also assumes that readers know a great deal about African American history and black leaders before coming to the book. It is as if this is a graduate thesis and Lewis is speaking to the professors of African American studies who already support his research. This assumption makes reading the book a real chore for anyone with only a basic education in civil rights battles.