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celtic_oracle's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, though I wish I would have waited until I completed Angelou's autobiography series before I read this book. A dumb move for someone who hates spoilers.
I loved the many pictures in this book - while I had a picture of the different characters in my head while reading Angelou's books, it's nice to see the real people. It was also wonderful to see the various pages of her handwritten drafts appear - a nice insight into her writing process. The quotes from Angelou pulled from various interviews also added some nice additional context.
The only low point for me was the last chapter. While I agree Angelou is a truly amazing woman, it got a little gushy - and it felt like it should have ended several times before it actually did.
A small complaint, really - I will be adding this to my permanent collection.
I loved the many pictures in this book - while I had a picture of the different characters in my head while reading Angelou's books, it's nice to see the real people. It was also wonderful to see the various pages of her handwritten drafts appear - a nice insight into her writing process. The quotes from Angelou pulled from various interviews also added some nice additional context.
The only low point for me was the last chapter. While I agree Angelou is a truly amazing woman, it got a little gushy - and it felt like it should have ended several times before it actually did.
A small complaint, really - I will be adding this to my permanent collection.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
I have read a few of Angelou's books (years ago!) and have always admired her as a writer and poet...but she is now at the top of my list of heroes. I had no idea that she had done so many amazing things in her life. She overcome such adversity and has become one of our national treasures. I would like to go back and read everything she has written and find a way to see her films and listen to her music (much of it not widely available) as well. What an inspiration!
I loved this book because it summarized her key milestones and accomplishments, interspersed with beautiful black and white photos of her in various stages, her friends and influential people in her life, and her family.
I loved this book because it summarized her key milestones and accomplishments, interspersed with beautiful black and white photos of her in various stages, her friends and influential people in her life, and her family.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great overview of Maya Angelou's life including her own words and those of her close friends and family. She was an amazing woman and our world is a better place because she was here. She inspired so many people to appreciate life and take joy in living.
unabridgedreader's review against another edition
3.0
I was first introduced to the works and life of Maya Angelou due to a Black History project assigned to me by my English Language Arts teacher, and honestly, I have never been this glad to have been given a long term project.
Angelou is truly one amazing human being that remained humble and outspoken to her very last breath. I absolutely adore this woman to no end - both her poetry and her filmography are gorgeous works of art about hope and faith - though her early life consisted of oppression and being raised in the midst of adversity. What Maya Angelou accomplished in the first half of her life is more than what many could ever do in an entire life.
[The book rating)
Though I used other sources for my project, I read this biography just to further learn about Dr. Angelou and I was very pleased with its gorgeous Sepia scrapbook layout. The writing was fairly easy to read and the book definitely provided a personal outlook on her life rather than focusing on just her career and writing. I also enjoyed the quotes the authors provided because it was refreshing going from the author's work to Maya Angelou's. This is definitely a great read especially for those who wish to learn more about this legendary poet.
Note: This biography would not be an ideal source for a project about Maya Angelou's poetry/filmography due to its length and especially its personal view of her life. This was more of a read for people who want to learn more about Angelou - especially her struggles and personal life [friends, family]
Angelou is truly one amazing human being that remained humble and outspoken to her very last breath. I absolutely adore this woman to no end - both her poetry and her filmography are gorgeous works of art about hope and faith - though her early life consisted of oppression and being raised in the midst of adversity. What Maya Angelou accomplished in the first half of her life is more than what many could ever do in an entire life.
[The book rating)
Though I used other sources for my project, I read this biography just to further learn about Dr. Angelou and I was very pleased with its gorgeous Sepia scrapbook layout. The writing was fairly easy to read and the book definitely provided a personal outlook on her life rather than focusing on just her career and writing. I also enjoyed the quotes the authors provided because it was refreshing going from the author's work to Maya Angelou's. This is definitely a great read especially for those who wish to learn more about this legendary poet.
Note: This biography would not be an ideal source for a project about Maya Angelou's poetry/filmography due to its length and especially its personal view of her life. This was more of a read for people who want to learn more about Angelou - especially her struggles and personal life [friends, family]
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