Darden presents a history of gospel music, from its African roots to contemporary styles. He surveys early spirituals, music during the Civil War, minstrelsy, the Jubilee Singers, gospel foundations, Chicago gospel, and artists such as Thomas Dorsey, Rosetta Tharpe, Clara Ward, Mahalia Jackson, the Soul Stirrers, the Staple Singers, Alex Bradford, James Cleveland, Edwin Hawkins, Andrae Crouch, and various male quartets. Contemporary musicians detailed are Tramaine Hawkins, Vickie Winans, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin. The book includes a discography of artists mentioned, organized by chapter.