My Soul Has Grown Deep : Classics of Early African-American Literature

Rating:
Summary: Unbeatable Resource For Black History and Culture
Review: It might take all your strength to balance this ten pound book on your chest while you read yourself to sleep, but if you can muster the energy you'll be repaid with some of the best black history available. This collection captures the upbeat hilarity of Nat Love's cowboy experiences, the bittersweet saga of Frederick Douglass's escape to freedom, the positive energy of Booker Washington's philosophy of "lifting up [his] race" and much more. The detail and poignancy of each writer's experience with slavery is the most powerful common element of the writings. It might be too bulky to keep in your purse or backpack, but it's a valuable reference to have in a good personal library.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding presentation
Review: This thick literary compilation of early Afro-American literary classics should be in the collection of any serious library: My Soul Has Grown Deep draws from both famous and neglected works from colonial days, drawing on narratives, oratory, and verse to sample a strong cross-section of black American literature. The attention to a range of genres and experiences makes this an outstanding presentation.