An analysis of the particular rhetorical style of Gardner C. Taylor, Senior Pastor Emeritus of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in New York City, this work first discusses the development of historical development of African American preaching, the life and influences of Taylor. After dispensing with these preliminaries, Thomas (Senior Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Plainfield, New Jersey) embarks on a analysis of Taylor's homiletical theory and practice. Using rhetorical criticism from the "artistic canon perspective," he focuses on such questions as the application of style, delivery, arrangement, and invention of sermon discourse; speech training and experience; general reading and study habits; and methods of sermonic preparation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)