This History explores innovations in African American autobiography since its inception, examining the literary and cultural history of Black self-representation amid life writing studies. By analyzing the different forms of autobiography, including pictorial and personal essays, editorials, oral histories, testimonials, diaries, personal and open letters, and even poetry performance media of autobiographies, this book extends the definition of African American autobiography, revealing how people of African descent have created and defined the Black self in diverse print cultures and literary genres since their arrival in the Americas. It illustrates ways African Americans use life writing and autobiography to address personal and collective Black experiences of identity, family, memory, fulfillment, racism and white supremacy. Individual chapters examine scrapbooks as a source of self-documentation, African American autobiography for children, readings of African American persona poems, mixed-race life writing after the Civil Rights Movement, and autobiographies by African American LGBTQ writers.

Winner, 2022 Choice Outstanding Academic Titles

‘Readers looking for one book illuminating the range and value of African American life writings will find Moody's book ideal. This collection demonstrates that critical race theory matters now more than ever. … Essential.’

F. L. Gardaphe Source: CHOICE

‘[A]n ambitious volume that stretches far and wide in its analysis. Its thoughtful organization and exhaustively researched essays strike the balance between intellectual rigor and accessibility. Filled with work that pushes the boundaries of what a self, an autobiography, or a written record might be considered, this collection is a welcome contribution to the study of Black life writing.’

Sarah Buckner Source: ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640-1830

‘[An] ambitious volume that stretches far and wide in its analysis. Its thoughtful organization and exhaustively researched essays strike the balance between intellectual rigor and accessibility. Filled with work that pushes the boundaries of what a self, an autobiography, or a written record might be considered, this collection is a welcome contribution to the study of Black life writing.’

Melissa Schoenberger Source: ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640-1830