Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Publisher's Note III
3. Illustrations X
4. Contents XI
5. Foreword XV
6. Introduction 1
7. Slavery and Its Legacy "You s'pose Ah go in de kitchen when Ah's in heabun?" 5
8. Carefree Tales "Ah don' dig up de pas', and Ah don' tote de future." 23
9. Tales of Animals and Ranch Lift "You knowed Ah was a snake when you picked me up." 43
10. Religious Tales "Gawd ain't gonnafurnish evuhbody wid a lion." 67
11. Dog Ghosts and Other Spirits "Dey ain't nobody kin meek me b'lieve Ah didn' see dat thing!" 87
12. Front matter 2
13. Acknowledgments 127
14. A Word on The Word 131
15. Contents 137
16. Illustrations 139
17. Illustrations 141
18. PART ONE Bad Religion 147
19. PART TWO Baptizings, Conversions, and Church Meetings 177
20. PART THREE Good Religion 199
21. PART FOUR Heaven and Hell 219
22. PART FIVE Preachers and Little Boys 235