The Norton Anthology of African American Literature

The Norton Anthology of African American Literature by Henry Louis Gates Jr.. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780393959086.

An anthology of the work of 120 writers spanning two centuries, this book covers the earliest known work by an African American, Lucy Terrys poem "Bars Fight", to the writing of Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison, and Poet Laureate Rita Dove. It begins with blues, gospel, spirituals, rap, sermons, prayers, testimonies and speeches, and continues with writing of all genres: poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, autobiography, journals and letters, including the full text of 11 major works.