This massive guide, sponsored by the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research at Harvard University and compiled by renowned experts, offers a compendium of information and interpretation on over 500 years of black experience in America.

On the evolution of scholarship in Afro-American history /John Hope Franklin -- part 1. Historical research aids and materials. Bibliography / Richard Newman -- Reference works / Barbara A. Burg and Randall K. Burkett -- Internet resources / Raquel Von Cogell -- Manuscript collections / Earl Lewis and Marya McQuirter -- Primary sources on microform / Nathaniel Bunker -- Newspapers and selected periodicals / James P. Danky -- Government documents / Debra Newman Ham -- Oral history / Elinor Des Verney Sinnette -- Art / Betty Kaplan Gubert and John Gennari -- Music / Portia K. Maultsby -- Photography / Deborah Willis -- Film and television / Thomas Cripps -- part 2. Comprehensive and chronological histories. Comprehensive studies -- 1492-1690 / John Thornton -- 1690-1772 / Peter H. Wood -- 1772-1831 / Gary B. Nash -- 1831-1865 (South) / Stephanie Shaw -- 1831-1865 (North) / Richard J.M. Blackett -- 1865-1877 / Eric Foner -- 1877-1915 / Leon F. Litwack -- 1915-1932 / Joe W. Trotter and Jeffrey Conrad Stewart -- 1932-1945 / Nancy L. Grant and Darlene Clark Hine -- 1945-1968 / Clayborne Carson -- 1968-1999 / John H. Bracey, Adam Biggs and Corey Walker -- part 3. Histories of special subjects. Women / Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham -- Geographical areas -- Autobiography and biography / Randall K. Burkett, Leon F. Litwack, and Richard Newman.