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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I never would have read this book. However, since it's part of our Sophomore curriculum, I didn't have a choice. Now, I feel truly terrible that I've never really read anything by Maya Angelou before. I always just thought of her as someone who was important. I assumed that the sort of person who would be asked to read a poem at a presidential inauguration wasn't an author I'd really like. But I was VERY wrong. Not only is her story powerful and well written, but she is also a kick-ass woman. She was a single mother in her early thirties, traveling unaccompanied through Africa in the fifties and sixties.

I really like the part when Malcolm X visits Ghana. Reading Angelou's account of him adds a new depth and lively humanity on top of his autobiography. It gives us a different perspective on this important figure. Angelou's writing is so vivid that it makes you feel as if you are right there with her, experiencing everything she did. It's truly an eye-opening and inspiring read. I'm so glad that I was required to read this book, as it has introduced me to the wonderful world of Maya Angelou's literature.
July 15,2025
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Book five is truly a remarkable piece of work that contains an abundance of even more amazing adventures and profound wisdom.

As I delved into its pages, I was completely in awe of the extraordinary life that Maya Angelou lived. Her experiences, struggles, and triumphs are not only captivating but also incredibly inspiring.

I firmly believe that everyone should take the time to read Maya Angelou's autobiography. It offers a unique perspective on life, race, gender, and human nature.

By reading her words, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and the power of the human spirit.

Angelou's writing is both beautiful and poignant, and it has the ability to touch the hearts and minds of readers from all walks of life.

Whether you are looking for entertainment, inspiration, or a new perspective on life, Maya Angelou's autobiography is a must-read.
July 15,2025
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You can never get enough Maya.

She is like a shining star that constantly attracts our attention. Her story is not only beautiful but also deeply inspiring. It serves as a powerful reminder that it is entirely up to us to forge our own path in this world.

No matter what challenges or obstacles we may face, we have the ability within us to overcome them and create a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. Maya's journey teaches us that with determination, perseverance, and a positive attitude, anything is possible.

We should all take a page from her book and strive to make our own mark on the world. Let her story be a source of motivation and encouragement for us as we embark on our own adventures and make our way in this vast and wonderful world.
July 15,2025
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I've been perusing Maya Angelou's autobiography series in a rather haphazard fashion. I began from the end and then picked up the stories in between. However, any book I selected didn't truly seem like a seamless continuation of the previous ones. Interestingly, this is a positive aspect for those who don't wish to commit to reading the entire series.

Anyone who has been uprooted from their country or culture of origin or feels a sense of belonging to a place other than where they currently are will discover a great deal to identify with in Maya's account of her life in Africa as an African American. The allure of the African culture and the pride of its people are exquisitely depicted by Maya.

The book indeed weaves in numerous individuals she encountered during her brief sojourn in Africa. Among them, only the native Ghanaian folks are truly memorable. Maya's American friends, on the other hand, are difficult to tell apart from one another and lack the vitality or richness that the native characters possess.

Overall, it's a worthwhile read!
July 15,2025
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The original text is concise and to the point. However, to expand it to 300 words, we can add more details and examples.

The article was indeed well-written. The author had a good command of the language and presented the ideas in a clear and organized manner. The sentences were well-structured, and the grammar and spelling were correct.


Nevertheless, perhaps the topics discussed in the article just did not resonate with me. It could be that the subject matter was not of particular interest to me, or that I had a different perspective on the issues. For example, the article might have focused on a specific industry or technology that I am not familiar with, or it might have presented an argument that I did not agree with.


In conclusion, while the article was well-written, it failed to engage me on a personal level. This highlights the importance of considering the target audience when writing an article. If the topics do not resonate with the readers, they are likely to lose interest and move on. Therefore, it is essential to choose topics that are relevant and interesting to the intended audience.
July 15,2025
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The west African night breezes, intimate and shy, licked the hair, pierced the cotton dresses with an inappropriate familiarity, and then vanished into the absolute darkness.


This is how Maya Angelou begins the account of her stay in Ghana, an important step in her search for the Motherland.


"The west African night breezes, intimate and shy, licked the hair, pierced the cotton dresses with an inappropriate familiarity, and then vanished into the absolute darkness."



Maya Angelou's description of the west African night breezes sets a vivid and almost sensual tone for her narrative. The use of words like "intimate" and "familiarity" gives the reader a sense of the close connection between the environment and the people. The breezes seem to have a life of their own, caressing and exploring before disappearing into the darkness. This opening not only grabs the reader's attention but also foreshadows the significance of her stay in Ghana. It is here that she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and connection to her roots. The mention of the "Motherland" emphasizes the importance of this place in her search for identity and belonging. As the story unfolds, we can expect to learn more about her experiences in Ghana and how they shape her understanding of herself and her place in the world.

July 15,2025
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This is, without a doubt, my favorite of Maya's autobiographies up to this point. I have read them in sequence, commencing with "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings". And this book, which is the fifth installment of her life story, was truly deeply touching and exquisitely written.

I firmly believe that it wouldn't have the same impact on individuals if they haven't followed Maya's story from the very beginning. Her life's odyssey has been both tumultuous and thrilling. While her time in Africa, specifically in Ghana, was not devoid of chaos or excitement, it also holds the sadness yet the relief of self-discovery for our author.

Maya constantly refers back to her family's unknown origin and the brutality that transported them from Africa to America. She contrasts her American traditions and ideals with the diverse African counterparts. And although she initially finds herself bewildered and melancholy, by the conclusion, she is uplifted by her experiences in Africa. She now has a closer bond with the spirits that preceded her and a better comprehension of herself.

This was a truly beautiful and poignant book. I am filled with excitement to continue delving into the remainder of her autobiographies.
July 15,2025
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‘All God’s Children Need Travelling Shoes’ is the fifth volume of Dr Maya Angelou’s autobiography.

It delves into her time living in the motherland ‘Africa’ during 1963 - 1964. If you've perused Angelou’s previous works, you can wholeheartedly and proudly witness her growth and maturity throughout her novels. At 33, Angelou was in search of something better, naively believing that Africa would welcome her with open arms.

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

“Our people always longed for home. For centuries, we had sung about a place not built with hands, where the streets were paved with gold and were washed with honey and milk.”

Angelou and a group of black Americans had hoped to find a home in Ghana, to be accepted and welcomed back. However, they were disappointed to discover that they were sometimes regarded indifferently by Ghanaians. Throughout her writing, Angelou has never shied away from openly discussing difficult issues like racism, allowing readers to appreciate her honesty about the tension between Ghanaians and the new US black community.

What I truly relished about this book was the opportunity to read about numerous historic moments and gain a first-class understanding of what transpired. Angelou vividly describes a protest organized in front of the American embassy in support of Martin Luther King’s march on Washington. She also speaks with conviction and tenderness as she comes to terms with the fact that many of her ancestors were involved in the enslavement of black slaves.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed was Angelou’s encounter with Malcolm X during his visit to Ghana. The readers gain an almost personal understanding of Malcolm X, seeing him as just another ordinary person with a profound passion. His charisma, wittiness, and wisdom are shared generously with us.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn’t do what you do, or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.”

I found it incredibly powerful and inspiring that two significant figures in black history were acquainted. Malcolm’s visit to Ghana followed his split from the Nation of Islam, and there is even a brief description in the book of an encounter with Muhammad Ali.

This book truly highlights Maya’s growth since I read the first volume of her autobiography, although it is my least favorite. Nevertheless, it was a remarkable read.
July 15,2025
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I've been delving deep into the autobiographies of Maya Angelou. This particular one is the next in line for me - the fifth in the remarkable series of seven penned by this extraordinary woman.

The title is inspired by a Negro Spiritual and vividly描绘s Angelou's years in Ghana during the early 1960s. She became an integral part of the ex-pat community. On one hand, she felt a sense of homecoming due to her ancestry. On the other hand, she was acutely aware of being apart as she was instantly recognized as a Black American.

Although she made numerous Ghanaian friends, she was taken aback by the attitudes of the people who couldn't fathom why she would leave America. Angelou believed they simply didn't grasp the complex and often difficult conditions of race relations in America.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the captivating adventures she recounts as she explores Ghana. However, I firmly believe that the best of the series thus far was the first one, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." It had a profound impact on me and set a high standard for the rest of the series.

Overall, Maya Angelou's autobiographies offer a unique and insightful perspective into her life and the world around her.
July 15,2025
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And now, let's turn our attention to Maya Angelou's fifth autobiography, "All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes." This remarkable book consists of 240 pages divided into 42 chapters. Interestingly, most of these chapters are quite short, which is ideal for those who tend to get easily distracted. Naturally, I highly recommend reading the entire series to fully understand the depth and evolution of Maya Angelou's life and experiences. However, this particular volume seems to possess an independent soul of its own.


Maya had finally wholeheartedly embraced her Africanism by spending significant and meaningful time in Ghana. Whether it was fate or chance that brought her back to the black continent, one might wonder if she had become complacent. But as we delve into the pages of this book, we are met with a flood of emotions and touching moments. If none of these manage to touch your heart and get under your skin, then I truly don't know what else could.


If you've ever felt insecure at any point in your life, found yourself constantly torn between comforting faith and doubtful denial, fought for a cause despite realizing you had little chance of winning, or had to prove yourself to people you owed nothing to, then Maya Angelou's works are truly made for you. Her words have the power to resonate deeply within us and offer us a sense of understanding and connection.




And now we come to Maya Angelou's fifth autobiography; All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes. This is a 240 pages book which has 42 chapters but most of them are super tiny which is perfect if you get easily distracted. Naturally I recommend reading the entire series, but somehow this volume has an independent soul. Maya had finally embraced her Africanism by spending some quality time in Ghana. Fate or chance brought her back to the black continent but was she complacent enough?

There is a flood of emotions and touching moments portrayed in this book, and if none of that managed to get under your skin then I don't know what on earth would. If you've ever felt insecure at some point of your life, found yourself in a constant battle between comforting faith and doubtful denial, fought for a cause with the realization that you have little chance to win, had to prove yourself to people you don't owe them shit, then Maya's works were made for you.


Two great people gather together in Ghana: Malcolm X and Maya Angelou.

__________

\\n   Maya Angelou's Autobiographies:\\n
1) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
2) Gather Together in My Name.
3) Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.
4) The Heart of a Woman.
5) All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes.
6) A Song Flung Up to Heaven.

July 15,2025
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In the 1960s, she had an engaging autobiographical story of her time living in Ghana. In her lovely style, she made a comparison between her experience of black Americans and the African experience. She pointed out how they differed but also had similarities. She vividly told of the fascinating people she met there. There was a visit by Malcolm X, which was truly memorable. She also had the opportunity to meet the President of Liberia. Her piercing insights into herself were always enlightening. Every one of her autobiographies has been truly awesome, captivating readers with her unique perspective and the rich tapestry of her life experiences.

July 15,2025
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I decided to read this book because I purchased a poster featuring 100 books to read in one's lifetime. I had thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series and was eager to continue. I was truly inspired and in awe of the author. I knew without a doubt that I wanted to carry on with this series and delve deeper into her life.

This book is the fifth out of seven volumes of Maya Angelou's autobiography. It stands as a testament to the remarkable talents and unwavering resilience of this extraordinary writer. She is acutely aware that this world is a complex tapestry of both love and cruelty. As a black woman, she has endured discrimination and extreme poverty, yet she has also experienced hope, joy, achievement, and celebration. In this book, Maya emigrates to Ghana, only to discover the harsh reality that 'you can't go home again'. However, through this experience, she gains a newfound awareness of love and friendship, civil rights and slavery, and the myth of Mother Africa. The book also shines a spotlight on the work she did with Malcolm X.

Ordinarily, I struggle with non-fiction books. I often find them slow-paced, boring, and difficult to truly engage with and enjoy thoroughly. However, this book was an exception. It still delves into serious and challenging topics, but it is also a journey of her finding her voice and evolving into a writer. It's almost as if she is writing about a fictional character in a storyline, and I had to remind myself several times that she is the main character and that she is sharing her own life experiences. She vividly describes the struggles of being a woman and a mother from 1962 to 1965. The concerns she had as a mother after her son broke his neck, and the way the community rallied around her and offered their support. This book wasn't as沉重 as her other works, and I believe this is because a significant portion of it focuses on her career and the movement of Malcolm X, as well as their friendship. I would have loved to see some chapters from her son's perspective, especially considering he was at an age where he could remember those events clearly, and with him dating a 36-year-old when he was only 19.

Once again, as with the previous book, towards the end, it feels rushed. I think this is a deliberate ploy to keep the reader hooked and eager to read the next installment. I am hoping that with only two books left in this series, this pattern stops and the story reaches a meaningful conclusion. I am longing for her to find the happiness and peace that she so richly deserves.
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