Maya Angelou's memoirs, essay and poetry collections, and cookbooks have sold millions of copies. Now, Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration offers an unusual and irresistible look at her life and her myriad interests and accomplishments. Created by the people who know her best - her longtime friends Marcia Ann Gillespie and Richard A. Long, and her niece Rosa Johnson Butler - it captures Angelou at home, at work, and in the public eye. Listeners who have come to know and love Maya Angelou will be surprised and delighted by this personal portrait of the renowned poet, author, playwright, and humanitarian.

The life of poet, bestselling author, and teacher Maya Angelou is celebrated with a review of her compelling experiences and remarkable accomplishments. Her story of triumph over difficult circumstances and lifelong creative excellence will inspire listeners. Dion Graham's engaging voice lends modulation and expression throughout, and he excels at characterizing Angelou's speech. The book is composed of quotes from Angelou's writing, as well as from articles published about her. This approach requires Graham to read citations of the sources, which disrupt the flow; however, he handles this chore as well as any narrator could. Intended as a tribute to Angelou, this book is a good introduction, but serious fans will want to read her wonderful series of autobiographical works. J.J.B (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

 

MARCIA ANN GILLESPIE, a longtime friend of Dr. Angelou's, was the editor in chief of Essence magazine from 1971 to 1980 and of Ms. magazine from 1993 to 2002. She lives in New York City and is currently working on her memoir.

ROSA JOHNSON BUTLER is Dr. Angelou's niece and archivist. She lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

RICHARD A. LONG has known Dr. Angelou for more than thirty years. He is the Atticus Haygood Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Emeritus, at Emory University. He lives in Atlanta.