Review by Booklist

Because of his use of black southern dialect and the embarrassment it has engendered among black intellectuals since the Harlem Renaissance, Dunbar—the most famous black poet of his time—has never enjoyed the modern popularity of other black poets. This collection, which includes many works never before published, shows the breadth and depth of his talent and subtle genius for using dialect and other cultural signifiers to show the hypocrisy of white society and despite the restrictions imposed by racism, the creativity of African Americans. Dunbar produced a prodigious body of work, including plays, essays, poems, short stories, and songs. He attempted to avoid the minstrel style favored by whites while retaining the authenticity of black southern life. The collection of 76 works is divided into sections on dramatic pieces, essays, short stories, and poems; each proceeded by an introduction that places Dunbar and his work in historical and artistic contexts. The collection adds to Dunbar’s reputation as an important forerunner of black American poetry. Great resource for biography and history reports and for personal reading.

Booklist