A chronicle of the autobiographical tradition in African-American literature, containing alphabetically-arranged entries for 66 authors who present autobiographical material. Entries provide: a biography; discussion of works and themes; and an overview of the author's critical reception.

The entries close with primary and secondary bibliographies, and a selected, general bibliography concludes the volume. Together, the entries provide a detailed portrait of the African American autobiographical tradition from the 18th century to the present.