The Black Panther Party represents Black Panther Party members'' coordinated responses over the last four decades to the failure of city, state, and federal bureaucrats to address the basic needs of their respective communities. The Party pioneered free social service programs that are now in the mainstream of American life.

The Party''s Sickle Cell Anemia Research Foundation, operated with Oakland''s Children''s Hospital, was among the nation''s first such testing programs. Its Free Breakfast Program served as a model for national programs. Other initiatives included free clinics, grocery giveaways, school and education programs, senior programs, and legal aid programs.

Published here for the first time in book form, The Black Panther Party makes the case that the programs'' methods are viable models for addressing the persistent, basic social injustices and economic problems of today''s American cities and suburbs.