Description: The first of its kind, this volume presents the largest, most inclusive multi-genre anthology of contemporary (1970 to the present) African-American literature available. Unlike all other collections of contemporary Black literature (which are genre-specific), this volume includes works from all genres -- fiction, poetry, drama, essays, speeches, and mixed-genre works -- by important, well-known authors as well as by significant lesser-known authors, many never previously anthologized. It comprehensively captures the breadth, the scope, the depth, and the impact of contemporary African-American literature. Features works (mostly whole works, not just excerpts) by important, well-known authors, such as by Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Audre Lore, August Wilson, Octavia Bintler, Gloria Naylor, Paule Marshall, John Edgar Wideman, Gwendolyn Broaks; and by lesser-known, but excellent authors, such as Michelle Cliff, Wanda Coleman, Randall Kenan, Essex Hemphill, Ruth Forman. Special Focused Writers sections provide an extended look at a writer's contributions, and includes interviews and critical essays along with a large selection of material. A General introductory essay situates the selections and the whole field; and introductory critical essays and headnotes for each writer introduce each author's selections (i.e., the writer's career, influences, impact, and themes), and locates the works included within the writer's entire body of work.

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