ab Series Foreword Most if not all literature is historical, in the sense of reflecting its time and place and the history behind them. Even science fiction and fantasy litera- ture tend to extrapolate from the present, which, like a patient, has a his- tory of its own. Works from previous eras take on an additional historical dimension, as they were written in a time with which we are personally unfamiliar. While great works of literature are timeless, we can often enjoy them more by knowing more about their historical setting and the by now ob- scure references they sometimes make. This is where Praeger’s Historian’s Annotated Classics series comes in. The literary classics selected for this series are accompanied by annotations and new essays that highlight their historical context and continuing relevance. Ultimately, this series is about connecting each book to crucial histori- cal issues of its time—both the time of its setting and the time of its writ- ing. Novels, biographies, and other literature of a particular time are indispensable markers of what people of that time said and thought. Thus, this series should be ideal for people with a strong interest in history— students, history teachers, history buffs. The books in this series can also be valuable supplementary texts that add spice to college and advanced high school classes. History often becomes more vivid when seen through the lens of an enduring literary work from the same era. The Historian’s Passing is a superb addition to this series. Nella Lars- en’s short novel Passing remains timely in its exploration of racial and gender norms, which have changed considerably, though not completely, since the novel’s 1929 publication. Lynn Domina’s comprehensive anno- tations and well-chosen illustrations make reading or rereading the novel an even richer experience. The text and annotations combine to provide vivid insights into Harlem and America in the 1920s. Domina’s introduc- tory chapters tell engaging stories of their own. The first chapter presents Larsen’s fascinating life, including her background as a mixed-race child in a white family, her brilliant yet short-lived literary career, her longer
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