Short answers, pulled from the story.
Wizards Presents: Races and Classes is a supplement published by Wizards of the Coast in December 2007 as a preview of the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. It detailed the concepts, decisions, and design process behind the new edition, including a design timeline, reproduced email excerpts, and anecdotes from the design team.
The book was written by numerous 4th edition designers including Richard Baker, Logan Bonner, Bruce R. Cordell, Rob Heinsoo, Mike Mearls, and James Wyatt, among others. Michele Carter compiled and edited the material.
Wizards Presents: Races and Classes was published in December 2007 by Wizards of the Coast, ahead of the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons.
William O'Connor painted the cover art for Wizards Presents: Races and Classes. He also contributed interior illustrations alongside artists including Eric Deschamps, Wayne England, Todd Lockwood, and others.
A reviewer of the book identified the Saga Edition of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Complete Arcane, the Miniatures Handbook, and Tome of Battle as apparent sources of inspiration for the 4th edition design discussed in the book.
Shannon Appelcline credited Wizards Presents: Races and Classes and its companion volume Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters as major reasons why more is known about 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons than about almost any other roleplaying game. The books helped build interest in the upcoming edition while Wizards was reluctant to publish new third-edition game material.