Notable African American Writers, 3 Volume Set (Magill's Choice) [Hardcover]

Salem Press (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Eighty clearly written, fairly sophisticated essays on significant African-American poets, playwrights, and authors from the Colonial period to the present. Only 12 entries were commissioned specifically for this work; the rest were adapted from Salem's Critical Surveys of Literature series. Each signed essay begins with a list of the subject's works, classified by genre (including works for children), continues with biographical information and an analysis of major works, and concludes with a bibliography of works about the person. Many entries include a black-and-white portrait. The third volume includes essays on African-American drama, fiction, and poetry. Following the essays is a briefly annotated list of additional African-American writers; an extensive bibliography; an annotated list of electronic resources; and genre, personage, title, and subject indexes. The coverage is fairly broad and approximately one-third of the selections are about women writers. This a concise and useful set, but libraries that already own all four of the Critical Surveys of Literature volumes might think twice before purchasing it.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City
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From Booklist

Notable African American Writers is the latest offering from the Magill's Choice series, designed to provide basic and affordable reference sources derived from the publisher's larger sets. This collection is a good starting point for undergraduates or high-school students who are beginning to read and research African American literature. Of the 80 author essays found here, 68 were adapted from various titles in the Critical Survey series, and 12 were specially commissioned. Writers from the colonial to the contemporary eras are discussed.

Entries are arranged alphabetically, and each begins with a list of the author's major genres, any pseudonyms, and birth and (when relevant) death dates. The entry on Octavia E. Butler, one of the few science fiction writers included, is current enough to note her February 24, 2006, death date. Many entries include a black-and-white photograph or drawing. Essays vary in length from 4 to more than 20 pages, and all have the same format. After the basic identifying information comes a chronological listing of works organized by type. The text of each essay is divided into three sections. "Achievements" sums up the author's awards and reputation, "Biography" offers some details about the writer's life and influences, and "Analysis" provides the reader with a discussion of the works in one or more of the author's major genres. Every essay ends with an up-to-date annotated bibliography of secondary sources for further study.

At the end of volume 3 are appendixes offering 4 overview essays on African American drama, fiction, short fiction, and poetry; a list of additional writers and works; a bibliography of secondary sources; a list of electronic resources; and a chronological list of authors. Four indexes provide access by genre, personages, title, and subject. The appendixes and indexes help set this resource apart from the numerous other reference works on African American writers and add to its value for students. Recommended for public, high-school, and undergraduate collections. Lisa Johnston
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 900 pages
• Publisher: Salem Press; 1 edition (April 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587652722
• ISBN-13: 978-1587652721
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,972,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)