Includes bibliographical references and index.

Vol. 1 -- Flashbacks: The Birth and Rise of the African American, 1492-1993 -- Motherland: A Survey of African South of the Sahara -- Neighbors: Blacks in the Western Hemisphere -- Words: Letters, Laws, Speeches, Songs, and Other Chronicles of African American History, 1661-1993 -- Places: African American Landmarks around the United States --- Vol. 2 -- Slavery: From the Beginnings of America to the End of the 19th Century -- Civil Rights: The Struggle That Shaped the Hearts and Minds of African Americans -- Black Nationalism: Nation Building -- Law: The Legal Status of African Americans -- Politics: The Voter and Elected Officeholder -- National Organizations: In Unity There Is Strength -- Population: The Growth and Settlement of a Race -- Jobs and Money: The African American Labor Force and Economic Outlook -- Entrepreneurship: Risk-taking and the Creation of Wealth -- The Family and Health: The Backbone of the Community -- Education: The Force That Liberates -- Religion: The Tie That Binds --- Vol. 3 -- Literature: African American Writers, Scholars, and Poets -- Performing Arts: The African American in the Performing Arts -- Film and Television -- Media: The African American Press and Broadcast Media -- Music: Popular, Jazz, and Classical -- Fine and Applied Artists: The African American Artist -- Science, Medicine, and Invention: African American Contributions to Science -- Sports: The African American Amateur and Professional Athlete -- Military: African American Servicemen and the Military Establishment.