Dare I admit I once read this?

Well, it was a rather interesting piece that I came across.

The link http://www.5cense.com/14/392.htm led me to a page that held my attention for a while.

I remember the content being diverse and engaging.

There were various topics covered, perhaps some that I had never thought about before.

It made me think and reflect on different aspects of life.

Although I may not remember every single detail, the overall experience of reading it left an impression on me.

It was one of those moments when you discover something new and it broadens your perspective.

I'm not sure if I would recommend it to everyone, as everyone has different interests.

But for me, it was a worthwhile read that I'm not afraid to admit I once did.

Having visited Ghana in the last decade, specifically Accra market, Elmina Castle, and Cape Coast, it was an absolute pleasure to be brought back to this country by such a poetical realist. I am always dazzled by her writing, her metaphorical turns, and her absolute stretching of the simile into new visions.

I also met some Afro Americans close to Elmina who shared with me their experiences in Ghana. It feels very similar to what Angelou depicts - suspicion, a surcharge for being seen as foreigners, and no time to discuss the burden of slavery. I don't know if Angelou made it inside Elmina, but the writing on the wall in ancient Dutch sends chills down the spine, making it an even more horrifying place for any visitor with such ancestry.

Her potential in Ghana seemed to me to be undervalued and unutilised. However, this experience in her life makes complete sense. The return to the motherland, where at times she is recognised as someone resembling a sister of a local villager. Living in Nkrumah's times must have been indeed exhilarating both for her and her son, despite what was later said about his government. Her travelling shoes are an absolute pleasure to wear, as they take us on a journey through her life and experiences in Ghana.

The third volume of Maya Angelou's autobiography that I read truly left me in awe. Her writing is simply remarkable.

This particular volume doesn't focus as heavily on the civil rights movement in the US, although Malcolm X does make an appearance. Instead, it delves into the African-American diaspora in Africa, with a particular emphasis on Ghana and the experience of returning to the motherland.

It raises universal questions of identity, which are not only relevant to African-Americans but also to white/European readers. It also touches on important issues surrounding slavery and the development of Africa. Reading this volume provides a unique perspective and a deeper understanding of these complex topics.

Maya Angelou's ability to vividly describe her experiences and the emotions associated with them is truly a gift. Her words have the power to transport the reader to another time and place, and to make them think about the world in a different way.

I highly recommend this volume, as well as the entire series, to anyone who is interested in learning more about African-American history, the African diaspora, or simply in reading a beautifully written autobiography.

This is an incredibly inspiring read.

I am truly happy that I had the opportunity to read it while I was in Ghana.

The words within this piece have the power to move and motivate, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

It serves as a source of inspiration, especially in a place like Ghana, where one can draw strength from such powerful writings.

The experience of reading it in that particular location added an extra layer of significance and made it all the more memorable.

It's a reminder that good literature has the ability to transcend boundaries and touch our hearts, no matter where we are in the world.

This inspiring read will surely stay with me for a long time to come.

The author's journey to rediscover her roots in Ghana was filled with many thought-provoking and even moving experiences.

However, my rating of the book was slightly lowered due to an occasional lack of clarity regarding the various people who populate its pages. This often required me, as the reader, to backtrack a chapter to accurately locate their place within the narrative.

Despite this minor drawback, one aspect that was especially interesting to read was an insider colleague's viewpoint of experiences alongside Malcolm X. This unique perspective added an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story, allowing readers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the events and relationships described.

Overall, while the book had its flaws, it still managed to offer a captivating and insightful exploration of the author's connection to her roots and the people and events that shaped her.

This is a remarkable book that combines exquisite stories with equally exquisite writing.

In this particular volume of Maya Angelou's memoir series, she embarks on a journey to Africa in her profound search for home.

During this odyssey, she makes astonishing discoveries about her roots, which in turn helps her gain a deeper understanding of her own unique differences.

Simultaneously, her son is growing up and is now on the verge of preparing to lead an independent life.

Angelou's narrative is not only a personal exploration but also a universal tale of self-discovery, identity, and the complex relationship between a mother and her child.

Her vivid descriptions and poignant reflections make this book a captivating read that will leave readers deeply moved and inspired.

It is a testament to her literary genius and her ability to touch the hearts of readers around the world.

He said, “This is not their place. In time they will pass. Ghana was here when they came. When they go, Ghana will still be here. They are like mice on an elephant’s back. They will pass.”

The reflections that Maya suggests and requires are masterfully accomplished. In particular, those on identity and belonging are profound.

I was unable to hold back my tears after reading the final pages of this book. It is simultaneously heartbreaking, hopeful, beautiful, and enraging.

This book serves as an African-American ode to Ghana and to Africa as a whole. I am eternally grateful to have experienced it through Maya’s eyes. It offers a unique perspective on the relationship between different cultures and the sense of self within that context. The words of the man about the transitory nature of certain presences add a layer of depth to the overall narrative. Maya’s exploration of identity and belonging forces the reader to confront their own understanding of these concepts. The emotional impact of the book is palpable, making it a truly unforgettable read.

The second half of the book is significantly more powerful than the first.

These later autobiographies commence to reference earlier events, presumably for new audiences who haven't followed the entire series. As a result, this leads to repetitiveness in certain places. Presumably, the success of the previous installments also imparts a complacent tone to the narrative in some parts, with far fewer memorable extracts and accounts of her life up to that point.

My interest was piqued when Angelou began describing her trip to a village in Eastern Ghana. Her mental journey as a product of ancestral slavery, whose structure was a creation of both African tribes and slave profiteers, was truly captivating.

Her account of her introduction and friendship with Malcolm X offers a fascinating and candid insight into a famously private public figure. It provides a unique perspective on their relationship and sheds light on the inner workings of Malcolm X's life. Overall, despite the flaws in the book, these particular sections make it a worthwhile read.

In which, Maya and Guy make a momentous decision to move to Africa.

Boom.

Egypt, Liberia, Ghana - these are the places they explore. The back of this book states, "Maya...discovers that you can't go home again, but she comes to a new awareness of love and friendship, civil rights and slavery - and the myth of mother Africa." As you read this book, you can truly FEEL Maya's intense yearning. She yearns for understanding, for a sense of Place, for a connection to history and her roots. In Africa, she experiences a wide range of situations. At times, she is treated as royalty, but then she finds herself on her own, having to figure out her path. This woman is truly gutsy and forges her own way! She realizes that things are done very differently in Africa, and that she is an American Black, not a native. I was quite surprised to read about the American Black community that relocated to Africa during this time, all seemingly in search of that connection. Nevertheless, the friendships she forms here are deep and beautiful, the things she learns and witnesses are invaluable. Moreover, her son plays a more significant role in this story as he matures into his own man. And whoa, that ending! I will forever be haunted by that scene whenever I cross a bridge. Shivers!!! (in a good way!)

The book is written without chapter numbers, and its style seems more like a collection of short stories or even essays put together. Will she stay in Africa? Maybe for a while, from 1961 to 1964, but remember that theme of motion? Yup. (published in 1986)

A very interesting account indeed is presented of Black Americans making attempts to discover a home in Ghana during the civil rights era. This period was filled with challenges and struggles for Black Americans, and their search for a place where they could feel a sense of belonging and freedom is truly captivating. Anything that Angelou writes is like a precious gem, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have the opportunity to read her works. Her words have the power to transport us to different times and places, and to make us understand the experiences and emotions of those who have come before us. Through her writing, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the history and culture of Black Americans, and for the importance of the civil rights movement.

Maya Angelou was an extraordinary woman who overcame numerous challenges and provided us with a wealth of experience and wisdom. Her autobiographies, written when she was not yet famous, are now revolutionary and important accounts. The beautiful, honest, and poetic writing in "All God’s Children Need Travelling Shoes" takes us to Ghana in the early 1960s, a time of rising pan-Africanism and before the Civil Rights Act. The book explores themes of identity and belonging, as African-Americans like Angelou returned to Africa with heavy hopes, only to find that it was not as simple as they expected. Angelou examines the different psyches and mentalities of these seemingly similar groups, observing and reporting on emotions such as homesickness, guilt, and anger.

The account is not only a moving personal experience for Angelou but also an important historical record. Her amazement at seeing a black president on the money in a newly free Ghana is truly touching. For her, it was a surreal experience to be in a country where she was free to go anywhere. The book also includes a powerful moment when W.E.B. DuBois died, and Angelou's words about him could easily be applied to her own passing. In the end, Angelou reconciled with Africa, realizing that her search had brought her closer to understanding herself and others.

Off-topic, this book reminded the author of a Sociology of Tourism class where they learned about the quarrels over Elmina Castle and other slave-trading posts in Ghana. The different perspectives of Ghanaians and African-Americans highlight Angelou's observations about how similar-looking people can have different experiences and views. Fortunately, the Ghanaian government is trying to consider the concerns of both parties.

In this autobiographical book, which is set in the early 1960s, Maya Angelou finds herself stranded in Ghana after her son has an accident.

As her son gradually heals and she begins to acclimate to her new environment, she slowly discovers that in Ghana, where skin color is ostensibly no longer an issue, she is still discriminated against as a Black American. She delves into the hardships faced by Blacks who return to Africa in search of their roots, only to realize that those roots have been severed and forgotten over time.

There are two particularly touching scenes. First, when a school boy she and her housemates tutored brings his family to thank them. It seems as if an entire village of people, those who love that child, have made the journey to the city, bearing gifts of fruit and other goods, to express their gratitude to Angelou. This reminds me that we all have a sense of belonging somewhere, and that there are cultures where family unity can still be relied upon. Second, when Angelou visits a town called Kato and is "recognized" as someone from that area. She observes how similar her height and features are to those around her and concludes that she has found her origins, which were lost in the annals of slavery.

Angelou's writing is truly beautiful and poetic, drawing the reader into its rich tapestry. I am definitely looking forward to reading my next book by this remarkable author.