Some 230 writers are included, and for each the compiler has provided, in addition to a publication history, a brief summary of educational background, occupation, and honors and awards obtained. The most important feature of any work of this kind is the careful selection of those names to be included. Foster has chosen well. . . . Inclusion of lesser-known authors makes this volume useful.
Choice
This new biobibliographical guide identifies known and little known Southern black writers to 1953, many of whom have received scant critical attention over the years. A large number of the works of early Southern black creative writers did not reach a wide audience because they were privately printed or simply not considered worthy of note. Yet their contributions form an important part of the Southern literary heritage. Each of these writers is summarized in a brief biographical sketch that includes place of residence in the South, vocation/occupation, and identification by genre, as well as a listing of creative writings and publications in which they originally appeared. An insightful introduction perspective.