Readings shed light on Hurston's novel. They demonstrate how African Americans fashioned themselves individually and collectively to combat racism, classism, and sexism, and present historical, political, and social commentary on the relationships between men and women as well as between blacks and whites. Included are interviews with people living at the time of Hurston's novel's publication, poetry, folk tales, and sermons. The editor is a professor of English at Arizona State University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)