The Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature [Five Volumes]

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature [Five Volumes]
Hans Ostrom (ed.), J. David Macey (ed.)


2196 pages, photos
Greenwood Press
Publication Date: 9/30/2005
Hardcover
Trim Size: 7 x 10
Subjects:

* Literature ? American Literature
* Multicultural Studies ? Black Studies

Reviews:

* This work is both ambitious and timely. Unlike biographically based references, it focuses on the texts of African American literature and the trends and events that have influenced it. Opening with an overview and chronology, the set has as its core over 1000 entries covering both canonized greats and lesser-known artists. These entries document the work of African American writers and their critics, literary forms and techniques, geographic hubs that generate significant output, and influential figures and movements that have shaped this diverse tradition....[t]his is an important addition to all collections.
?Library Journal December 2005
* This handsomely packaged set provides coverage of the foundations, development, and proliferation of African American literature, from Colonial times to the present. Crucial to an understanding of this unique body of literature is attention to the historical, social, and political climate in which it took root. Accordingly, these alphabetically arranged and extensively cross-referenced entries focus on subjects as widely divergent as sermons, the Underground Railroad, affirmative action, Mojo, hip-hop, the Black Panther Party, and the Vietnam War, in addition to the expected topics on individual writers and their works....[t]he depth and breadth of the 1,029 entries make this an invaluable resource. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers.
?Choice March 2006
* This comprehensive set covers the people, events, and themes relevant to the African-American experience and the literature that it inspired. More than 1000 signed entries of varying length are organized alphabetically and include biographical information as well as critical discussions of the works. Other articles describe major themes, historical events, places, cultural figures, and literary genres that continue to impact the African-American experience. Coverage ranges from the Colonial period through the present. Resources for further information appear at the end of each article and include both print resources and Internet sites. Alphabetical and thematic lists of entries (including important dates) appear in each volume and there is a comprehensive index in the final volume....[t]his is a completely accessible work. While it is by no means exhaustive (an impossible goal, the editors acknowledge), it is an important resource that should be considered by most libraries.
?School Library Journal March 2006

Description: Designed to meet the needs of high school students, undergraduates, and general readers, this encyclopedia is the most comprehensive reference available on African American literature from its origins to the present. Other works include many brief entries, or offer extended biographical sketches of a limited selection of writers. This encyclopedia surpasses existing references by offering full and current coverage of a vast range of authors and topics. While most of the entries are on individual authors, the encyclopedia gathers together information about the genres and geographical and cultural environments in which these writers have worked, and the social, political, and aesthetic movements in which they have participated. Thus the encyclopedia gives special attention to the historical and cultural forces that have shaped African American writing. In addition to drawing upon the learning of Hans Ostrom, J. David Macey, Jr., and more than 200 expert contributors, the encyclopedia benefits from an editorial board of such distinguished scholars as:
# Houston A. Baker, Jr.
# Emily Bernard
# Michele Elam
# Dolan Hubbard
# And Sheila Smith McKoy.

Included are more than 1000 alphabetically arranged entries on such authors and topics as:
Hans Ostrom (ed.), J. David Macey (ed.)

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