This encyclopedia collects information about the life and works of Richard Wright (1908-1960), noted author of Black Boy, Native Son, and other works. Given the importance of politics in Wright's life, the volume includes entries concerned with the cultural and political environment influencing Wright's career. The approximately 400 alphabetical entries discuss important works of Wright, as well as such topics as Horatio Alger, James Baldwin, Black Marxism, Albert Camus, the Chicago school of sociology, the Federal Theater Project, Marcus Garvey, the Great Depression, the House Committee on Un-American Activities, lynching, Friedrich Nietzsche, Paul Robeson, Seventh Day Adventism, John Steinbeck, and Emile Zola, to cite a few examples. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)