The Maya Angelou Poetry Collection, Boxed Set [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Maya Angelou (Author, Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1999

Listen to Maya Angelou read more than 100 of her best loved poems - for the first time in one collection.

"As good as Angelou's books are, you just have to hear her." - Philadelphia Inquirer


Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie
(30 minutes, 27 poems)
James Baldwin called Maya Angelou's first collection of poems "Black, bitter, and beautiful. [Maya Angelou] speaks of our survival.  Sister Maya has been there and back, she knows something about herself and she knows something about us . . ."

Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well
(35 minutes, 36 poems)
The poems in this second volume of Maya Angelou's poetry are eloquent evidence of the poet's continuing celebration of life.  Here are poems of love and memory, poems of racial confrontation, poems of misplaced patriotism, songs of the street and songs of the heart.

I Shall Not Be Moved
(40 minutes, 32 poems)
A wonderful collection of poems including the classic "Our Grandmothers", one of Maya Angelou's best known and best loved poems.  I Shall Not Be Moved captures the pain and triumph of being black and tells of history and heartbreak and love.

On the Pulse of Morning
(10 minutes, 1 poem)
This Inaugural Poem brought our nation to its feet on January 20, 1993, and sent Maya Angelou to the podium to accept the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word recording.  "The Audio version is the best way to experience On the Pulse of Morning." raved the Los Angeles Times.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This collection includes more than 100 unabridged poems from three previously released volumes: Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die, Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well, and I Shall Not Be Moved. "On the Pulse of Morning," the Grammy-winning poem written for President Clinton's 1993 inauguration, completes the set. Angelou reads the pieces herself, making each word--sometimes fierce, sometimes soft, but always moving--even lovelier with her velvety voice. This collection is a must-have for all Maya Angelou fans. Listen to Maya Angelou read "Worker's Song." Visit our audio help page for more information. (Running time: 2 hours, 4 cassettes) --C.B. Delaney

From the Inside Flap

Listen to Maya Angelou read more than 100 of her best loved poems - for the first time in one collection.

"As good as Angelou's books are, you just have to hear her." - Philadelphia Inquirer


Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie
(30 minutes, 27 poems)
James Baldwin called Maya Angelou's first collection of poems "Black, bitter, and beautiful. [Maya Angelou] speaks of our survival.  Sister Maya has been there and back, she knows something about herself and she knows something about us . . ."

Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well
(35 minutes, 36 poems)
The poems in this second volume of Maya Angelou's poetry are eloquent evidence of the poet's continuing celebration of life.  Here are poems of love and memory, poems of racial confrontation, poems of misplaced patriotism, songs of the street and songs of the heart.

I Shall Not Be Moved
(40 minutes, 32 poems)
A wonderful collection of poems including the classic "Our Grandmothers", one of Maya Angelou's best known and best loved poems.  I Shall Not Be Moved captures the pain and triumph of being black and tells of history and heartbreak and love.

On the Pulse of Morning
(10 minutes, 1 poem)
This Inaugural Poem brought our nation to its feet on January 20, 1993, and sent Maya Angelou to the podium to accept the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word recording.  "The Audio version is the best way to experience On the Pulse of Morning." raved the Los Angeles Times.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (January 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375405968
• ISBN-13: 978-0375405969
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,157,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Books on Cassette > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Angelou, Maya
  • #86 in Books > Books on Cassette > Literature & Fiction > Poetry, Drama & Short Stories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treat Yourself to this Poetic Feast, August 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Maya Angelou Poetry Collection, Boxed Set (Audio Cassette)

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW Poetry The Maya Angelou Poetry Collection. 4 cassettes; 115 minutes; 106 poems. Random House Audio Publishing, Inc. 1999. $19.95.

Gr 9 Up-Maya Angelou's poems speak strongly in print, but hearing the author perform her own work is a pleasure not to be missed. The poet literally performs her poems. Her melodious voice sings the spirituals, delivers heart-felt dedications and shares the roots or histories upon which some of these poems are derived. This four-cassette collection treats us to 115 minutes of readings covering 106 poems. The versatility of Maya Angelou's voices delights as she uses a syncopated rhythm to deliver poems enhanced by this beat: Harlem Hopscotch, Pickin' Up and Layin' `em Down, Baby and Times Square Shoe Shine. Maya Angelou takes us back to the bitter historical past in poems based upon classic Negro spirituals such as Just Give me a Cool Drink of Water `fore I Die and to the somber, slow refrains of To a Freedom Fighter. In other poems, Maya Angelou reveals a more personal and intimate side in poems such as Come be My Baby and He Said He Loved Another. Dr. Angelou shares the historical roots and associations she drew upon to create her Inaugural Poem On the Pulse of Morning delivered on January 20, 1993 at President Clinton's inauguration. This rare glimpse into the poet's process is a treasure for introducing young adults to the poetic process. Some explicit language requires previewing before school use. A complete listing of poems and times would be appreciated to locate titles of particular interest. You will be drawn to listen to this collection over and over again.