A unique and vital guide that summarizes, explains and evaluates the greatest works of African-American literature -- including articles on writings from James Baldwin, W. E. B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X, Toni Morrison and many more. This newest work by prolific editor Magill includes articles on 149 titles in African American literature from various genres. Some 91 authors are represented, 37 of whom are women. Entries, which are generally well written and informative, include sections on the principal characters, plot, analysis, and the critical context. Descriptions of the standard works, including a number of young adult titles, are presented. There are also several lesser-known works (e.g., Raymond Andrew's Appalachee Red, Barry Beckham's Runner Mack, and William Demby's Beetlecreek ). The inclusion of some nonliterary titles (e.g., Shelby Steele's The Content of Our Character and Orlando Patterson's Slavery and Social Death ) could be questioned, especially when important writers such as Margaret Walker and John Oliver Killens have been excluded. Nevertheless, this is an essential purchase that provides material not always easily available elsewhere. - Louis J. Parascandola, Long Island Univ., Brooklyn Campus Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. A unique and vital guide that summarizes, explains and evaluates the greatest works of African-American literature -- including articles on writings from James Baldwin, W. E. B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X, Toni Morrison and many more. Dr. Frank N. Magill has been a writer and editor of distinguished reference works for the past forty years. John K. Roth is Russell K. Pitzer Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. In 1988, he was named Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. LITERARY ANALYSES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE