A chronological account of early Harlem covering its literature, painting, music, clubs, churches, and individuals who played important roles in the community.

"Forgotten streets" --Black Bohemia -- Social leadership -- Music and comedy -- Departures and arrivals -- A struggle for Harlem -- "The promised land" -- Style in ragtime -- The beauty business -- Harlem at sixteen -- Democracy and the flag -- Toward a Black theatre -- "Here comes my daddy now" -- Garvey : "poet and romancer" -- From ragtime to jazz -- "What a city!" -- "There won't be any more liquor" -- Streets of dreams -- The Saturday night function -- Around midnight -- Bye, bye, blackbird -- But what was Harlem? -- A tradition of the new -- Some writers -- A'Lelia Walker -- The beat goes on -- Sunny gets blue -- The Lord will provide -- The Depression and the arts -- In the ring with Joe -- Another war, another time -- Harlem explodes -- The West Indians -- At the Savoy -- "Cool deal, McNeil" -- Seventh Avenue : the Great Black Way -- Society -- On Strivers Row and Sugar Hill -- The thrill is gone.