Customer Reviews

We Speak Your Names: A Celebration [With Earbuds] (Playaway Adult Fiction)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This little book is priceless! Inspired by Oprah Winfrey's vision to celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary African American women, Pearl Cleage answered the call by penning the poem that was key to Winfrey's 2005 Living Legends event. Cleage drew inspiration from the honoree's accomplishments and with a line-up that included greats like Katheryn Dunham, Cicely Tyson, Toni Morrison, Coretta Scott, King, Diana Ross, etc., it was easy to pick a muse and let her imagination flow.

The poem celebrates the spirit of sisterhood, courage, and resilience that these women possess. Pearl's signature themes of freedom, courage, wisdom, and strength (which are often echoed in her novels) are also evident in the prose. She marvels at how the honorees are a beautiful, mulit-talented group of women whose impact will be felt for generations; but more importantly she thanked and recognized each and every one of them (by name) as the truly amazing women they are. A brief biography of each of the twenty-five honorees is also provided in the back of the book.

The poem makes for a perfect gift to friends, sisters, mothers and is a "must have" for any woman's personal library. Bravo - this is a wonderful tribute!

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

In the spirit of Oprah Winfrey's Legend's Ball, We Speak Your Name is a brief compilation of African American women and their achievements. Ms. Cleage begins with a beautiful homage to women of strength and character. Reading the poem feels like a personal invitation, and the brief passages that follow are a guided tour through the amazing history of black women in this country and around the world. Ms. Cleage, in her introduction, tells us about her invitation to write, and she takes us along for the star studded ride to its glamorous conclusion. Her poem details the success, the sacrifice, the angst, and the adulation of women at the top of their field, and gives us insight on how they feel having reached that. Although she describes each legend in the short bios the follow, the passages are descriptions of these legends filtered through the lens of Ms. Cleage's profound perception, as a woman, as a griot, and as an accomplished author in her own right in awe of her sisters.

A short book of less than 50 pages, this is a must have for all women. It is a perfect size to slip into a purse, as a stocking-stuffer, into a briefcase for that nerve-wracking interview, or a gift basket for a friend. However it is delivered, it is an amazing journey through history on the gentle but strong backs of those who made it.

Brava!

Reviewed By: Angela T. Hailey, Black Butterfly Review

i was giving this book as a gift from a dear friend and was so overwhelmed with joy after reading i just had to write a review this is a book that honored so many great woman. it will leave you with the feelin that you can accomplish everything in life you ever dreamed of, this is a book for ever booklover library.

I have not yet had to opportunity to read this work in print. However, I heard it as I watched Oprah's "Legends Ball" special on ABC last night. I was moved to tears. I can honestly say the this poem is one of the most beautiful that I have ever heard in my life. I have told all my female friends and relatives about it, and they all plan to purchase copies of their own. If I could give the poem more than 5 stars I would.

I was so moved by this poem while watching Oprah's Legend's Ball. The words captured so much of what we as Sister's /Black Women go through and experience. I recently had a celebration at my home for some older ladies at my church and I will be purchasing a copy of this poem for each one of them. Thanks for the inspiration!!

i first heard the poem read on the TV special with Oprah honouring the legends and the youngun's, in the African American world.
Regardless of me not being African American, the poem touched me deeply and reminded me of the many women that have touched my life. this little book is definitly a keeper!

Thank you for sharing it with all of us that really do walk in the footprints of so many that have paved the way for us in this world.

I loved the poem in the beginning of the book and the story surrounding it. I also loved how the author reflected on the contributions of African American women past and present, some of the information was very enlightening.

Purchased this recently and I'm quite disappointed, it's my fault because the contents id great but I would recommend getting a hardcover or paperback and take care of it. It's something you'll want to keep in your family not in didgital form. Again the book gets five stars but I wouldn't get it in kindle form. Also, its quite short sho beware, it contains an intro, the poem and short bios on the "legends", that's it.

I was aware of this book from Oprah's Dinner but did not at the time know who Pearl Cleage was. Since being introduced to her by my sales person, I have come to love her as an exciting writer and indepth "thinker". This is a great book to have if you want to learn how to think of wonderful, accomplished women!!

Like many others, after viewing Oprah's Legends Ball I innocently purchased thinking I would own a small bit of the magic that occured on during the wonderful event. Now, everytime I pick up the book & read it the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end & I am miraculously transported to that magnificent day when it was read by all those beautiful "Youngins" in front of all those phenominal "Legends". So not only do I simply own a piece of history...I am also part of Herstory!