Talking Drums: An Anthology of Poetry (Paperback)

~ Rev. Peter E. A. Addo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In "Talking Drums," Peter E.A. Addo has given readers more than "his best": He has given them a piece of history, a piece of love, and a piece of his soul.

Born and raised in West Africa, Addo's work reflects his and his countrymen's reaction to changes in their home country of Ghana. In his verse he speaks with candor, vision, and wisdom about the pride of Africa and his heartfelt patriotism to the Red, Yellow, and Green.

Addo's years in the United States have also made a significant impression on his consciousness, and he expresses appreciation for many of the features of the country. In eloquent verse he mourns with U.S. citizens over the devastating Oklahoma City terrorist attack in 1995.

Always important to Addo are people, and this is shown as he explores the trials and fancies of youth in his works. Also expressed is appreciation and love for our Savior Jesus Christ.

"Talking Drums" is a masterful collection of poetry which tells the significant stories of the past half-century through lyrical, touching, and powerful verse. It is a collection every reflective person should read.

About the Author

As a college chaplain and minister, Peter E.A. Addo shared the poems contained in "Talking Drums" and found his listeners identified with his feelings and were touched to the depths of their souls. He wishes to share this reflective anthology on human and world events from World War II to the present with thoughtful readers such as you.

Addo has had a long and distinguished career as a scientist and a minister. He is now retired after forty-one years in the ministry, twenty-two of those years as a teacher and college chaplain at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. He lives in Greensboro with his wife, Dr. Linda Addo, and the couple have two grown children, Eric Kpakpo Addo and Christine Aku Addo.

Addo has had a long and varied list of accomplishments. Highlights include membership on the Statesville District Board of Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church, Western North Carolina Conference; membership on the Statesville North Carolina Governor's Big Brothers/Big Sisters' advisory council; recognition for volunteer service as a chaplain for the Boy Scout Council, Camp Wanasa, North Carolina; recognition for supporting ecumenical endeavors at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama; and having the city of Mobile, Alabama, proclaim a "Reverend Peter Addo Day."

Addo is a folklorist, storyteller, painter, humanitarian, and scholar. His other special interests are fishing, painting nature, collecting folktales of the world, and studying human culture and mythology. Aside from the numerous articles, poems, and plays he has written and published, he also counts "How the Spider Became Bald: Folktales and Legends from West Africa and Ghana Folktales" among his previously published works.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dorrance Pub Co (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805944788
• ISBN-13: 978-0805944785
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,244,073 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, soothing poetry!, September 8, 2001

By A Customer

Rev. Addo is a truly talented poet! I hope he composes more poetry and prose. My favorites in this book includes I Never Expected to Meet You Here, God. Also, On Resurrection Morning as well as All Alone. Keep up the good work, Rev. Addo!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TALKING DRUMS----BY REV P . E. A. ADDO, June 6, 2000

By	GRAECIA TEWIAH (Birmingham, England, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

The very title conjures up thoughts of home-Ghana- waking up, festivals, funerals, enstollment of chiefs, the talking drums are always there! Independence/Republic Days - we were there and can recall the emotions associated with them. Each time I pick up the book, everything floods back. The book covers aspects of culture, faith, age and other issues. Peter is able to mix his experiences from his younger days in Ghana with those of his adopted home and still make people of both places feel at home.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic journey of recent history, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

Talkin Drums is a lyrical and poetic journey of world and local events through the eyes of an immigrant who has adopted the United States as his home. It is really a meditation and his perspective on personal, national, international, and local events. Once I started reading I could not put it down. Many of the poems from the fifties and the sixities recall the traditions of his country of birth, Ghana. Others such as Oklahoma City and the Gulf War are cogent poetic meditations on important events in our national life. Other poems are poetic perspectives on the eternal mysteries of life and living. It is a good collection to read in quietness and solitude. You will really love the last entry, it is a cogent and lyrical view of the death of Mother Teresa and Princess Diana.