Revolutionary in both its story line and its storytelling, The Colonel’s Dream was one of the most progressive books of its time when Doubleday published it in 1905. Few authors of African descent created white protagonists, but Charles Chesnutt did just that, exploring the economic and social conditions of freed slaves through the eyes of a Confederate war hero named Colonel French.

Returning to his impoverished hometown after years as a successful businessman in the North, French attempts to revitalize the community and improve living conditions for a vibrant cast of characters living there, including his old servant and an ambitious young woman. Despite his hopes, French faces roadblocks at every turn, including a corrupt convict-leasing system that essentially reenslaves many of the town’s black residents.

Offering a powerful perspective on contemporary issues of multiculturalism and economic disparity, The Colonel’s Dream is a keystone in American literature and history.