A Biographical History of African Americans is the most comprehensive, pocket sized, scholarly volume on African American biography published in the last three decades. The book gives an introductory overview to African American history, followed by a selection of notable African American subjects, arranged in four topical and chronological periods. It is diverse as to gender, geography and vocations. The work has been particularly concerned with profiling notable subjects who have not appeared in other dictionaries, directories or encyclopedias. While it can be used as a text or supplementary reader as well as a general reference work, its readable style will also appeal to a popular audience.