Literary Criticism

The definitive biography of a pivotal figure in American literary history A major poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was one of the first African American writers to garner international recognition in the wake of emancipation. In this definitive...

"We're starting to see...diverse voices on the shelf, a wider variety of experiences on the page, and many different reasons for getting outside. -- Jaime Herndon, Book Riot Encompassing identity, inspiration, ancestry, and stewardship, the essays and...

Beauty is a fat black woman walking the fields pressing a breezed hibiscus to her cheek while the sun lights up her feet Nichols gives us images that stare us straight in the eye, images of joy, challenge, accusation. Her 'fat black woman' is...

'Sharp and still relevant' - Zadie Smith'A mosaic of wise, urgent and moving pieces' - Kit de Waal'A book to be savored and re-read' - Derek Owusu________ Recognized as one of the great poets of modern times, and as a deeply respected and influential...

In the 1960s, Charles Wright's (1932-2008) star was on the rise. After dropping out of high school and serving in the Korean War, the young Black writer landed in New York, where he was mentored by Norman Mailer, signed a book deal with a leading...

Octavia E. Butler is widely recognized today as one of the most important figures in contemporary science fiction. Bringing together leading and emerging scholars and covering Butler's complete works from the bestselling novel Kindred, to her short...

In the 1960s, Charles Wright's (1932-2008) star was on the rise. After dropping out of high school and serving in the Korean War, the young Black writer landed in New York, where he was mentored by Norman Mailer, signed a book deal with a leading...

McKay's account of his long odyssey from Jamaica to Harlem and then on to France, Britain, North Africa, Russia, and finally back to America. As well as depicting his own experiences, the author describes his encounters with such notable personalities as...

A unique and epic novel describing the African Diasporic immigrant experience conveyed through the protagonist's immersion in American college life, which leads to his alienation from home. Kwakye covers substantial bredth of narrative, reminiscent of...

Take an engrossing deep dive into the cultural influences of Black Panther, from the development of the Marvel Comics character in the 1960s to his current worldwide renown. Black Panther was created in 1966 by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in...

"I Am Black History" is a compelling and inspiring exploration of the rich tapestry of Black history, celebrating the remarkable contributions, resilience, and triumphs of Black individuals throughout the ages. From ancient civilizations to the present...

From an acclaimed playwright comes "an American masterpiece" (Newsweek) about the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Twilight is a stunning work of "documentary theater" that explores the devastating human impact of the five days of riots following the Rodney King...

This erudite collection of writings from leading lights in the African literary community pays tribute to Ama Ata Aidoo through a broad spectrum of articles and personal memoirs from scholars of different generations and from other literary artists. The...

From Cornelius Eady, one of America's most engaging voices, comes an exciting collection of poetry that at once delineates the arc of the poet's universe and highlights the range of his considerable talents. Cornelius Eady's poems show him in full...

Some comics fans view the industry's Golden Age (1930s-1950s) as a challenging time when it comes to representations of race, an era when the few Black characters appeared as brutal savages, devious witch doctors, or unintelligible minstrels. Yet the...