I first read this book--absorbed it, rather--in college and have recommended it ever since. You'd be lucky to find any poetry collection this fine, and the voices in it so poignant.

I read this as part of my undergrad education, and I must say I learned a lot and I cried a lot. The writings that the editor selected were superb. He did and excellent job of selected manuscripts that speak to the problems facing us today that are rooted in the past. I loved this book and I ended up keeping it as a part of my personal library. This should be required reading in every English class in America. Perhaps if we required more provocative writings in our classes, from more diverse populations of people we would not have the problems of racial and ethnic strife that we have in this country, on the verge of the 21st millenium. Great Writing and I highly reccommend it!!!!