Black Writing from Chicago: In the World, Not of It?

by Richard R. Guzman (Editor)

Black Writing from In the World, Not of It? takes readers on a cultural trip through Chicago’ s literary history. Editor Richard R. Guzman compiles the first comprehensive collection of the works of Chicago’ s black writers from 1861 to the present day. The anthology, which includes works from newspaper writing, poetry, fiction, drama, essays, and historical and social commentary, seeks not only to represent a broad range of writings but also to focus tightly on such themes as hope and despair, racism and equality, spirituality and religion. More than sixty writers, from the anonymous “ J. W. M. (Colored)” to Ken Green, unfold a story that reflects the literary periods in black American history. Each author’ s selection is preceded by a biographical and a bibliographical introduction. Readers interested in Chicago, race relations, and literature, as well as scholars of history, sociology, urban studies, and cultural studies, will find the collection invaluable.

360 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2006

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I took the time to read this. It was a good survey of a bunch of black Chicago writers. It also helped me land a job as a teacher in Chicago so I’ll always have a special connection to this collection of writing.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well put together--great selections and great writing--very thorough. Sometimes the editor (criticizing my professor here-- Yipes!) summarizes bits of a selection in the middle of it, which is distracting and which makes them choppy. I understand why he did it, but sometimes it's so much that I wonder why he didn't just summarize the whole thing.