Grace, dignity, and eloquence have long been hallmarks of Maya Angelou's poetry. Her measured verses have stirred our souls, energized our minds, and healed our hearts. Whether offering hope in the darkest of nights or expressing sincere joy at the extraordinariness of the everyday, Maya Angelou has served as our common voice.
"Celebrations "is a collection of timely and timeless poems that are an integral part of the global fabric. Several works have become nearly as iconic as Angelou herself: the inspiring "On the Pulse of Morning," read at President William Jefferson Clinton's 1993 inauguration; the heartening "Amazing Peace," presented at the 2005 lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House; "A Brave and Startling Truth," which marked the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations; and "Mother," which beautifully honors the first woman in our lives. Angelou writes of celebrations public and private, a bar mitzvah wish to her nephew, a birthday greeting to Oprah Winfrey, and a memorial tribute to the late Luther Vandross and Barry White.
More than a writer, Angelou is a chronicler of history, an advocate for peace, and a champion for the planet, as well as a patriot, a mentor, and a friend. To be shared and cherished, the wisdom and poetry of Maya Angelou proves there is always cause for celebration.

Reviews

Whether it's President Clinton's inauguration or Oprah's birthday, you can count on Angelou to pen a poem in commemoration that is perfectly balanced between appreciation and struggle. There are also the lesser occasions-a bar mitzvah tribute to her nephew, memorials to friends or family (including one of her strongest poems, on her lifelong difficulties with her mother). While she's written much else (most significantly the widely translated novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings), these politically motivated poems, rooted in African American feminism, have become her trademark. While one applauds the sentiments and background here, the fact remains that these works are more polemic than lyric. And, if looked at closely, all the cliches stand out. Then, too, there is her reading style. Angelou was hailed 20 years ago as an extremely strong reader, but compared with recent poets who have gained strength from poetry slams and a more oral tradition of writing, her rendering seems almost placid. All said, this would be the perfect audio to give the activists in your life, but it's not recommended for lovers of poetry. Still, considering Angelou's popularity, libraries might want to purchase more than one copy.-Rochelle Ratner, formerly with Soho Weekly News, New York Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.