Short answers, pulled from the story.
Wizards Presents: Races and Classes arrived in December 2007 as a deliberate breach of silence regarding the development of Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition. This publication marked a turning point in the history of tabletop gaming by serving as the first public window into a radical new vision.
The book was written by the architects of the new system including Richard Baker, Mike Mearls, and James Wyatt. Michele Carter served as the editor, compiling contributions from a roster that included Logan Bonner, Bruce R. Cordell, Rob Heinsoo, and Gwendolyn Kestrel.
William O'Connor provided the cover art for Wizards Presents: Races and Classes, setting the tone for the entire volume. The interior illustrations were contributed by a diverse group of talent including Eric Deschamps, Wayne England, and Todd Lockwood.
The design philosophy behind Wizards Presents: Races and Classes prioritized balance and accessibility over the complex, simulationist rules of the past. The designers sought to create a game that was easier to learn and play with mechanics that were more intuitive and less prone to balance issues.
The online version of Pyramid reviewed the book on the 22nd of February 2008, declaring it to be the most important book of 2007 for some people. This review highlighted the book's significance as the first preview of the forthcoming Fourth Edition.