*The first book to describe and set out the form, variety and social and educational implications of the variety of English , known as African American English
*The official acknowledgement of AAE as a legitimate variety of English and not Bad English was hugely important following the Oakland school controversy and Ebonics debates, not only for linguists, but educationalists and for the lives of Black people
*Showcases a range of voices and leading authorities covering a wide variety of topics, unlike most other books written by sole authors