Introduction
Becoming August Wilson
History and/as performance: the drama of African-American historiography
Cutting the historical record, recording the blues: Ma Rainey's black bottom
Beginning again, again: Gem of the ocean and Jitney
The boundaries of property and the properties of humanity: Fences and Joe Turner's Come and gone
The properties of the piano and the legacy of human property: The piano lesson
Urban renewal by any means necessary: Two trains running
"Sad stories of the death of kings": Seven guitars and King Hedley II
The century that can't fix nothing with the law: Radio golf
Critical and performance perspectives. Guitars and King Hedley II: August Wilson's Lazarus complex / Donald E. Pease
Performance politics and authenticity: Joe Turner's come and gone and Jitney / Harry J. Elam, Jr.