If the current population in Washington isn't doing much to make you feel good, harken back to the days of yore with this audiotape made at a benefit for the homeless at Symphony Space in 1989. The Symphony Space (un Upper Westside institution, for those of you unfamiliar with Manhattan) is an auditorium where readings and other artistic events supplemented the theater of the streets of the Upper West Side before no one could afford to live in this neighborhood anymore unless they were over 70 or had made a pact with the devil.

Tom Wolfe, Calvin Trillin and Garrison Keilor all read very pithy stuff but Calvin Trillin's deadpan annecdote, based on a fait divers about Ronald Reagan's address in Bel Air, is priceless. Maya Angelou is fascinating and compelling, but it is Laurie Colwin's performance for which I bought this tape because I wanted to hear if she sounds as wonderful as she reads.

Colwin died only three years after this recording was made, quite suddenly. Although her name was known to me, I only began to avidly read--and appreciate her books over the past year, surprisingly as a result of having read her food essays--a genre I seldom touch. They were so great they inspired me to read the novels and short stories.

Finding this tape was like winning a treasure hunt--it far exceeded my minimal expectations and has become my favorite driving excuse.

Laurie Colwin reads an excerpt from "Goodbye without Leaving" that almost had me wetting my pants in the car without leaving--it was that funny--and her delivery was as good as the text.

For Laurie Colwin fans this tape is a collector's item. The more I read her work and read about her, the more I miss her--I never saw or met this woman but I intensely love her. If you can still get a copy--grab it!!

I have read every poem in this collection at least 50 times, no exateration, and they are great. One of these poems, Equailty, I have used for a high school poetry thesis, I made an "A". Even though this collection is from 1990 it is still update!

All of Maya Angelou's poems are self explanitory. She is the biggest inspiration in my life. I am 16years old and I can relate to all the things she went through in her life. I read her poetry and it gives me courage to go on and keeps me to believe in myself. She has the most encouraging words. Her books and poetry has helped me to amount to things in my life that I never thought that I could do. That is why she is my FAVORITE author.

This book provides readers of all ages with a wonderful look into the life of Kofi, a "magician" from Bonwire. The children I have shared it with love it, and Kofi's magic serves as a reminder for all of us of the power of imagination. The photographs are rich, and the text is soothing. Look no further for a book that will put you in the mood to daydream.

I'D LOVE TO KNOW YOU BETTER BECAUSE OF MY NAME WHICH IS SIMMILARY TO YOURS YOU CAN REACH MEE AT LOOSJOS@HOTMAIL.COM I LOVE YOUR FIRST NAME!

Maya Angelou has been a vivid cultural presence as an autobiographer, poet, and performer. In "Maya Angelou: Greeting the Morning," Sarah E. King has written a fine biography of this remarkable individual. Directed towards younger readers, King's book combines a straightforward text with many photographs of Angelou's life and times.

"Maya" begins with Angelou's birth in 1928 and ends with her historic delivery of her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the 1993 inauguration of United States President Bill Clinton. Along the way, we learn how the girl born as "Marguerite Johnson" got the distinctive name by which she is known today. King also handles the subject of childhood sexual abuse, of which Angelou is a survivor, with honesty and sensitivity.

Angelou's is a fascinating life story. King documents her early family life, her own life as a mother, her career in the entertainment industry, her contributions to the civil rights movement, and her experiences in Africa. We also learn of her emergence as a well-known writer with "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the first volume of Angelou's wonderful multi-part autobiography.

Hopefully, young readers who are fascinated by this biography will want to explore Angelou's own writings. Sarah King has written a good resource for young people who are interested in autobiography, women's studies, and African-American writers.

Maya Angelou has explored the themes of racial, sexual, and economic oppression in several autobiographical volumes including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "The Heart of a Woman," and "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes." In 1993 she was inivted to compose and deliver a poem at the inauguration of President Clinton, "On the Pulse of Morning." In this biography for the Journey to Freedom series, Judith E. Harper deals with the racial prejudice Angelou (born Marguerite Annie Johnson) faced growing up in Stamps, Arkansas and the pivotal event in her life when she sexually abused at the age of seven by her mother's boyfriend. The man was convicted, sent to jail, and murdered shortly after he was released. Believing that the man was killed because she had spoken at his trial, Angelou was convinced her voice was a murderous weapon and vowed never to speak again. Of course, young readers of this excellent juvenile biography will discover that Angelou did begin speaking again, but that her time of being mute taught her many things, including how to listen.

Harper details Angelou's "Difficult Road to Success," which included being a single mother, a singer and dancer of calypso music, and a member of the touring company of "Porgy and Bess." Angelou became involved in the Civil Rights movement and was inspired by Malcolm X to work with the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Following Malcolm X's assassination, Angelou focused her energies on writing and her first book was published in 1970. In 1972 she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her first published book of verse and that same year became the first African American woman to have a screenplay produced in Hollywood. She even was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the celebrated television mini-series "Roots." Before she turned 70 UNICEF appointed her a National Ambassador.

Young readers will find Harper's biography of Angelou to be very informative and doubtlessly they will be inspired to seek out her writings, whether her autobiographical works or her poems. This is one of the best volumes I have read in the Journey to Freedom series, an on-going effort by the African American Library to educate children abut the achievements and contributions of noted African Americans. My only complaint would be that I think it would have been nice if one of Angelou's poems could have been included. But, fortunately, with the Internet it is not difficult at all for a young reader to find Angelou's works after reading about her life has inspired them.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW Poetry The Maya Angelou Poetry Collection. 4 cassettes; 115 minutes; 106 poems. Random House Audio Publishing, Inc. 1999. $19.95.

Gr 9 Up-Maya Angelou's poems speak strongly in print, but hearing the author perform her own work is a pleasure not to be missed. The poet literally performs her poems. Her melodious voice sings the spirituals, delivers heart-felt dedications and shares the roots or histories upon which some of these poems are derived. This four-cassette collection treats us to 115 minutes of readings covering 106 poems. The versatility of Maya Angelou's voices delights as she uses a syncopated rhythm to deliver poems enhanced by this beat: Harlem Hopscotch, Pickin' Up and Layin' 'em Down, Baby and Times Square Shoe Shine. Maya Angelou takes us back to the bitter historical past in poems based upon classic Negro spirituals such as Just Give me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die and to the somber, slow refrains of To a Freedom Fighter. In other poems, Maya Angelou reveals a more personal and intimate side in poems such as Come be My Baby and He Said He Loved Another. Dr. Angelou shares the historical roots and associations she drew upon to create her Inaugural Poem On the Pulse of Morning delivered on January 20, 1993 at President Clinton's inauguration. This rare glimpse into the poet's process is a treasure for introducing young adults to the poetic process. Some explicit language requires previewing before school use. A complete listing of poems and times would be appreciated to locate titles of particular interest. You will be drawn to listen to this collection over and over again.

I plowed through these four stories within a few days. I could not tear myself away from them. I am still hungering to know what happened to her after the last book. Maya Angelou has shown me that life is a fluid thing, you are not locked into the path you see in front of you-but you are locked into doing what makes your soul sing. I am a white woman from the South, a descendant of the very people who made her want to flee and to lash out. I was born in the early 1970s and know first hand the harsh face of racism, the things I heard my family and close family friends say would make me angry, I never understood the difference between blacks and whites. Her words have inspired me like none other. I applaud her for pulling herself out of her situation and hope that other oppressed people the world over have a chance to see with the clarity she did that their lives are not in vain and they can make a difference.

Well i dont have much to say about the book i just wanted to tell you maya angelo that i really like the books u have and i want you to know that i am a new collage student and i will love for you to tell and help me threw out collage by emailing me and letting me know what books i should read and i would really love that i know i sound kinda crazy emailing you threw here but this is the only way i know how i am trying to become a strong black man like you are a strong black women so like i said if u can help me or give me fether information please do so and dont be a stranger. P.S Life seems to love the liver of it. by maya angelo a new friend willie christian please email me back