Customer Reviews

Daughters of Africa

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the most extraordinary compilations I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The writing is extremely rich with information on the insights of women, and their various cultures and lifestyles; the reader even gets a glimpse of the various dialects of countries as she goes from piece to piece. As I was reading the book, I realized that although I am an avid reader, I was not familiar with the writing of many of the authors (nor were the majority of my friends). I find it unfortunate that there are so many women authors who never gain proper recognition for their literary talents simply because many people have never been exposed to their writing. Although Margaret Busby admits that many authors were omitted due to necessity, this book is definitely a step in the right direction. I would love to see a "Sons of Africa" anthology.

A well researched anthology which I found compelling and educational. A book I discovered several years ago and have recommended to many. An avid reader and writer (contributor to Go Girl: The Black Woman's Book to Travel and Adventure) I found this book to be first rate focusing on universal themes and many that were enlightening related to the plights (emotional, spiritual and psychological), and achievements of women from different cultures. Many of the stories were uplifting, provocative, heartwarming and humorous which gave me deeper insight into certain cultures and fired my curiosity and interest related to social and political aspects of certain countries. In addition, I learned a bit of history and was challenged to expand my literary and cultural horizons. A book everyone should have.

I got this book from my grandmother in high school. Truth be told, I "borrowed" it and never gave it back! I loved it because it traces early African female writings as well as contemporary excerpts. You can actually read the writing of the Queen of Sheba and the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut. I think this is so important for black women, especially.

As a writer, I have seen speeches and writings of famous European Queens like Elizabeth I, but you don't often find books containing the writings of African queens like these. As a young black girl, it was empowering to me to see what came before me and what I might acheive because of the women in this book. Their determination and courage created a place for me and other minority women to express ourselves publicly, to give a voice to our culture and to our gender.

One of the interesting things about this book is to see the writings of freed and escaped slaves. We have the assumption that slaves were uneducated, especially female slaves, and yet here is evidence that there were learned black women speaking out about slavery and its effects. Some, such as Harriet Jacobs (aka Linda Brent), were writing before slavery had been abolished in order to encourage the emancipation of black people.

Because this book also features writings from women in different countries, it has a richness that wouldn't be there if it only focused on American women. It speaks of what it means to be a black woman no matter what time or place you live in.

Margaret Busby's *Daughters of Africa* has become one of my favorite anthologies in my personal collection. The depth and breadth of her selections is inspiring, and I find myself revisiting its contents time and time again. It's a poet's dream and is excellent as any writer's reference. I have encountered new, engaging voices to explore as well as ancient ones whose lives were unknown me. Pick up a copy and dive in.

I have had this book for a while and it is so breath taking and awesome. It is a magnificient chronological timeline of the Nubian woman back in ancient times to the present. It reveals the spirit, intelligence, political involvement, and nature of the black woman. Despite time and the unforgiveable tragedies that occurred to her and her nation of people she has a regal inner strength that refuses and will not die but only continues to gain strength more with experience and wisdom. This book is a good indicator to the understanding of a black woman and her legacy.