Black Feeling Black Talk (Paperback)

by Nikki Giovanni (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Nikki Giovanni's work has always been remarkable for energy, venturesomeness, direct honesty, and courage." -- --Gwendolyn Brooks

Product Description

Black Feeling, Black Talk/Black Judgement is one of the single most important volumes of modern African-American poetry.This book, electrifying generations with its revolutionary phrases and inspiring them with such Nikki Giovanni masterpieces as the lyrical "Nikki-Rosa" and the intimate "Knoxville, Tennessee," is the seminal volume of Nikki Giovanni's body of work. Black Feeling, Black Talk/Black Judgement made Nikki Giovanni famous in 1968, and this reissue of her classic will enthrall those who have always adored her poems--and those who are just getting to know her work.

As a witness to three generations, Nikki Giovanni has perceptively and poetically recorded her observations of both the outside world and the gentle yet enigmatic territory of the self. When her poems first emerged from the Black Rights Movement in the late 1960s, she immediately became a celebrated and controversial poet of the era. Written in one of the most commanding voices to grace America's political and poetic landscape at the end of the twentieth century, Nikki Giovanni's poems embody the fearless passion and spirited wit for which she is beloved and revered.

Black Feeling, Black Talk/Black Judgement is one of the single most important volumes of modern African-American poetry. This book, electrifying generations with its revolutionary phrases and inspiring them with such Nikki Giovanni masterpieces as the lyrical "Nikki-Rosa" and the intimate "Knoxville, Tennessee," is the seminal volume of Nikki Giovanni's body of work. Black Feeling Black Talk/Black Judgement made Nikki Giovanni famous in 1968, and this reissue of her classic will enthrall those who have always adored her poems-and those who are just getting to know her work.

As a witness to three generations, Nikki Giovanni has perceptively and poetically recorded her observations of both the outside world and the gentle yet enigmatic territory of the self. When her poems first emerged from the Black Rights Movement in the late 1960s, she immediately became a celebrated and controversial poet of the era. Written in one of the most commanding voices to grace America's political and poetic landscape at the end of the twentieth century, Nikki Giovanni's poems embody the fearless passion and spirited wit for which she is beloved and revered.

"Nikki Giovanni is sometimes gentle, sometimes angry, and always moving." --Julius Lester in The Guardian.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (January 1, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068825294X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688252946
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,304,368 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nikki I love, October 25, 2001

By A Customer

This is my favorite book of poems! It is filled with her militant black power poetry that is characterized by the era in which it was written. A must have for any Nikki fan or any poetry lover. Note: not for the sensitive reader

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars REVOLUTIONARY RHETORIC, February 19, 2001

By	Bonita L. Davis (Decatur, Georgia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

A new and dynamic poet is in town. Her words are fiery and militant. She takes no prisoners and makes you think. Are you ready to listen to this young woman? Black Feeling, Black Talk, Black Judgement is Nikki Giovanni's first public collection of poems. In this slender volume we are caught up in the Black Revolution of the 60's. Nikki's voice is loud, clear and inspires all who will dare hear her.

You will enjoy this work of the young Nikki as she articulates the cause of Black Nationalism and the Black Arts movement. At such a young age she has so much insight but her poetry moves beyond revolutionary rhetoric. Listen to "Nikki-Rosa" as she contemplates childhood rememberances. Attune your ears to "The Great Pax Whitie" where peace is still. Allow yourself to be challenged with "The True Import of Present Dialogue"and see what you are made of.

Nikki will make you uncomfortable but will raise your consciousness. The only "flaw" of this reissue is the fact that it needs a new introduction to put it in its historical context for new readers. A first time reader would find many of her poems dated due to their ignorance of the time. The collection gives us a glimpse of an emerging young Black poet who is committed to her art and to the revolution. Enjoy this militant young voice who refuses to compromise.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Feeling , Black Talk, Black Judgement, January 17, 2003

By	"kimmilanise" (Reidsville NC) - See all my reviews

I was really feeling her. She is an excellent poet. I meet her a year ago at A&T University in Greensboro NC. I love her work.