The most comprehensive collection of writing by and about African-Americans ever to appear in one volume Never before has such an impressive and far-reaching mix of writings by African-Americans been gathered together into a single anthology. Combining an extensive selection of poetry, prose, speeches, songs, documents, and letters dating from the pre-Colonial era through today's best and most well-known writers, this anthology offers a testament to the pervasive influence of African-Americans on the political, creative, and cultural development of the United States, even well before its inception.