Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou [Paperback]

Maya Angelou (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1995

Maya Angelou's poetry - lyrical and dramatic, exuberant and playful - speaks of love, longings, partings; of Saturday night partying and the smells and sounds of Southern cities; of freedom and shattered dreams. Of her poetry, Kirkus Reviews has written, 'It is just as much a part of her autobiography as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in My Name, Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas, and The Heart of a Woman'.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Brought together for the first time here are all of Maya Angelou's published poems -- including "On the Pulse of Morning," her inaugural poem -- in a handsome hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

From her earliest collection of poetry (Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, LJ 10/15/71) to her latest (On the Pulse of Morning, delivered at the inauguration of President Clinton on January 20, 1993), Angelou's work never fails to grip the imagination. In this anthology, she comments on love, traveling, and aging.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Virago (September 28, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186049191X
• ISBN-13: 978-1860491917
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maya Angelou has been waitress, singer, actress, dancer, activist, filmmaker, writer and mother. As well as her autobiography she has written several volumes of poetry, including 'On the Pulse of the Morning' for the inauguration of President Clinton. She now has a life-time appointment as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry is what you make of it..., February 19, 2006

By 

Lisa Howard "The Constant Student" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Hardcover)

I only write this because I love this author more than any other and feel the need to defend this book from the critics who wrote the other reviews on it. I feel that poetry is what you make of it. If you can relate to what the poet is saying, what does it matter if they didn't follow specific guidelines that universities try to teach people who probably lack the free-form. Which is what I consider this book. Free-form poetry. So, yes,if you're only reading the book for an assignment or trying to analyze it into a specific form of poetry, you might be disappointed. However, if you are reading it in leisure or to connect with someone who can beautifully express some of our emotions and events of life, you won't be disappointed. That is if you can relate to it. As with all poetry, it will mean more to you if you can understand where the poet is coming from and connect that with your own emotions and personal experiences. From the time that I picked up this book over a decade ago, I have loved it! I hardly ever take the time to go back and re-read anything. I figure, once read, the most important of the knowledge is there and to move on, but I have read and re-read this book more times than I can remember! For me, it's full of emotion. I feel that in it's free-form, it's beautifully written. I could only ever hope to create a book as outstanding as this one, and I often compare my own free-form to hers.Once again, it's an outstanding book if you can relate to it.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geno's Review, November 30, 1999

By 

Eugene Bradford (Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Hardcover)

Review of Maya Angelou's : The Complete Collection of Poems by Maya Angelou.

This is a "got-to-have" for anyone interested in the poetic genius of the famous Poet. The book gives you a chance to look back in her early writings and see how she moves you as she advanced in her skills. I rather enjoyed the book because it inspires me to write my own poetry. I have given very nice books of poetry as Christmas gifts to people I know she could awaken their desires to succeed. This particular reference has all the best of Maya and you can feel the poems affect you daily. I have given this book a 5 star rating because it's so enjoyable.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, November 10, 2004

By 

Bonjour Poetry Reviews - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Hardcover)

I was given this book as a Christmas present and have gone back to it often. My favorite poem is "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" - I find myself going back to this one time and again. Maya Angelou proves herself as one of the outstanding comtemporary poets today by offering poetry that anyone, regardless of background, color, or creed, can find inspire in. Every woman should have a copy of this book.

From the author of The Difference Now, A New Dish, and At the Coffee Shop.