Maya angelou was a civil rights activist, poet and awardwinning author known for her acclaimed 1969 memoir, i know why the caged bird sings, and her numerous poetry and essay collections. An author whose series of autobiographies is as admired for its lyricism as its politics, maya angelou is a writer who s done it all. In this maya angelou biography, her son is now a teenager, and the story follows their lives as they travel around the world. She also had an active directing, acting, and speaking career. An acclaimed american poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. Via ecx a stunning autobiography, i know why the caged bird sings is arguably maya angelou. Books by maya angelou author of i know why the caged bird. Poetry maya angelous plaque at san franciscos jack kerouac alley. Born 4 april 1928, she lived and chronicled an extraordinary life. Maya angelou, an inspirational american poet, crafted a poem from a childs perspective about all the frightening things in her world. And still i rise is the first documentary about dr.
Maya angelou has 167 books on goodreads with 1155219 ratings. This maya angelou autobiography covers the years from 1957 to 1962, and is considered one of the top books written by angelou. Maya angelou, poet, was among the first africanamerican women to hit the bestsellers lists with her i know why the caged bird sings, held the great hall audience spellbound with stories of her own childhood. Maya angelou made her mark in literary history by writing the first. Maya angelou books the best maya angelou books and poems. Angelou moves back to the states after living in ghana, and is caught up in public and. Apr 15, 2009 maya angelou has been waitress, singer, actress, dancer, activist, filmmaker, writer and mother. Maya angelou is an american author and poet in addition to other things. She is best known for her books, including her series of seven autobiographies, starting with the critically acclaimed i know why the caged bird sings 1969. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. See the difference, read maya angelou in large print. May 28, 2014 the prolific poet and author maya angelou passed away on may 28 at the age of 86.
Maya angelou has 167 books on goodreads with 1156733 ratings. See the complete maya angelous autobiography series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. And still i rise is written from the heart, a celebration of life as only maya angelou has discovered it. Although this poem showcases many things that frighten a child, the greater theme in this poem is that no matter the obstacles we face in life, we can overcome them. She published three books of essays, several collections of poems, and received. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and hollywoods first female black director, but became most famous as a writer, editor. Quotations by maya angelou, american poet, born april 4, 1928.
The prolific poet and author maya angelou passed away on may 28 at the age of 86. The maya angelou documentary will reflect on how the events of history, culture, and the arts shaped dr. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A stunning autobiography, i know why the caged bird sings is arguably maya angelous bestknown work. Angelou received several honors throughout her career. During a 50year career that culminated in three grammys, one presidential medal of freedom, a pulitzer nomination, and 36 books, maya angelou never failed to use the power of her skilled words to candidly reflect on the sorrows and celebrations of the human experience.
Winfrey, who has called angelou a mentor, says that maya angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, its how she did it all. Maya angelou poems poems of maya angelou poem hunter. As well as her autobiography she has written several volumes of poetry, including on the pulse of the morning for the inauguration of president clinton. Phenomenal woman, still i rise, the road not taken, if you forget me, dreams. She ranged from story to poem to song and back again, and her theme was love and the universality of all lives. Browse audiobooks written by maya angelou sorted by best. List of books and articles about maya angelou online. Life doesnt frighten me by maya angelou, famous children poem. Maya angelou was born as marguerite johnson on april 4th, 1928, in st. Books by maya angelou author of i know why the caged bird sings. This wise book is the wonderful continuation of the bestselling wouldnt take nothing for my journey now.
The collected autobiographies of maya angelou, 2004. Maya angelou books list of books by author maya angelou. The book chronicles her life from age 3 through age 16, recounting an unsettled and sometimes traumatic childhood that included rape and racism. Thus begins phenomenal woman, just one of the beloved poems collected here in maya angelous third book of verse. April 4, 1928 may 28, 2014 was an american author and poet. She was born with the name of marguerite ann johnson.
A song flung up to heaven 2002 the sixth in angelous series of autobiographies covers the late 60s. The works of maya angelou encompass autobiography, plays, poetic, and television producer. Angelou has been featured in a variety of television programs and movies. Maya angelous most popular book is i know why the caged bird sings maya angelous autobio. About large print all random house large print editions are published in a 16point typeface. Even the stars look lonesome is maya angelou talking of the things she cares about most. It became one of the most widely read and taught books written by an african american woman. Maya angelou books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography barnes. And i can hear the moan, can make it out here alone. Angelous poetry and prose and her refusal to shy away from writing about the difficult times in her past have made her an inspiration to her readers.
Maya angelou 19282014 was an american poet, memoirist, and civil rights advocate best known for her seven autobiographies. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. Singin and swingin and gettin merry like christmas. During her lifetime, the prolific author and poet published. Angelous life and how she, in turn, helped shape our own worldview through her autobiographical literature and activism. New picture books about creators including ruth asawa, maya angelou and august wilson let children get to know the reallife people. She toured europe and africa in the musical porgy and bess 195455, then sang in new york city nightclubs, joined the harlem writers guild, and took part in several offbroadway productions, including genets the blacks and her own cabaret for freedom 1960. The maya angelous autobiography book series by maya angelou includes books i know why the caged bird sings, gather together in my name, singin and swingin and gettin merry like christmas, and several more. The writer maya angelou, who has died aged 86, won acclaim for her first autobiographical memoir, i know why the caged bird sings 1969, a scathing and sardonic indictment of.