And Still I Rise (Unabridged Selections)

By: Maya Angelou

Narrated by: Maya Angelou

Length: 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

The beloved and best-selling author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings reads aloud from her third book of verse. She not only gives life to many of her most cherished poems, but she also presents personal introductions to several favorites, including "One More Round", "Woman Work", and "Life Doesn't Frighten Me".

These poems are powerful, distinctive, and fresh, and as always, full of the lifting rhythms of love and remembering. And Still I Rise is written, and read, from the heart, truly a celebration of life.

The thirteen poems included here in their entirety are: "A Kind of Love, Some Day"; "Remembrance"; "Where We Belong, a Duet"; "Refusal"; "California Prodigal"; "Willie"; "One More Round"; "Woman Work"; "And Still I Rise"; "Ain't That Bad?"; "Life Doesn't Frighten Me"; "On Aging"; and "Thank You, Lord".

©1978 Maya Angelou (P)1996 Random House, Inc. Random House AudioBooks, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Her innate rhythm celebrates her verse and offers the poems to listeners as they should be remembered." (AudioFile)
"Vibrant and deep-toned, Angelou's voice wells up from somewhere deep inside." (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Nothing compares to hearing the actual author read

Any additional comments?

I heard several readings of these poems on YouTube by students and other people, but NOTHING compares to hearing Dr. Maya Angelou read her own poems. She doesn't just read them, she PERFORMS them. You can hear the drama as she pulls you into the amazing stories that she has captured from her lifetime. You must hear these poems as she reads them. Simply reading them from a book does not compare.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Amazing

This is a book of 32 short poems divided into three parts published in 1978 written and read by Maya Angelou. I know Angelou is controversial and her books, plays and poems are banned in many places and like many great poets people either love her or hate her poems. I enjoy her poems not only for the story they tell and the optimism but the rhythm and rhyme. I have books of her poems but particularly enjoyed this audio book because of her beautiful voice reading her own poems. In this book I particularly like the poem “Willie” about her crippled uncle. I also enjoyed the working poems “One More Round” the man’s working poem and “Women’s Work” about women. The poems follow the even number stanzas in the eight stanza poem to create a refrain like those found in many work songs and are variations of many protest poems. Angelou wrote a play in 1976 about discrimination called “Still I Rise” the poem came from the play. It is one of my favorite poems. The opening of the poem is as follows:
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise
Comparing how she continuously rises herself up emotionally to stay strong just, like how the moon and sun rise every day no matter what happens. By repeating I rise it makes the words that much more powerful and makes it stand out emphasizing the message which is to stay strong and to never allow anything or anyone stop you from fighting and living strong. The main theme of the poem is discrimination. The poem teaches readers that all humans have strength that lies within us that can help to overcome any obstacle. There is rhyme every other line for most of the poem that immediately guides the reader though the poem I think I will keep this book permanently on my iPod so I listen to it whenever I am in the mood.

13 of 15 people found this review helpful

Oh my Maya Angelou

What was one of the most memorable moments of And Still I Rise (Unabridged Selections)?

While on active duty in the Navy, my son and I where stationed in Washington, DC we had the experience of a lifetime to be at a

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

My favorite poem of all time!

I love this poem. It speaks to the soul of my generation of Sitting on the back of the bus, no sitting down at lunch counters, and leaving my neighborhood to attend high school because the one in my neighborhood were for Whites Only. But we're not bitter because Still I Rise. God bless her. What a great poet.

just listening brings back memories

she is one of my favorite poets and being her read her own works just brings back memories

You hear her soul

Breathtaking performance! To listen to Maya Angelou herself perform this is to listen to her beautiful soul 💕

A Woman Strength

As per usual, Dr. Angelou has created another body work worthy of praise.

The most memorable moment for me was her last poem, "I want to thank you Lord..." I only regret there wasn't more. Angelou brings each piece to life with the rise and fall of her voice. Each time I listen, no matter what mood I'm in, her words always seem to brighten my day.

Awesome

A magnificent performance by the Author. Her work is magic and the lyrics are spellbinding. My heart soars when I listen.

So inspiring!

God rest her loving soul! 💕 I enjoyed every bit of her intellect and wisdom. #StillIRise

In love!

I've recited many of Mrs.Angelou's poetry as a young girl, but nothing is greater then hearing it from her own mouth.

lovely to listen too whilst on the beach. <br />

it has inspired me to continue wrting my one women show to encourage women who have been abused, but still we rise x

What's not to love

A glorious talented woman. We will not see her like again. Recommend her other works.

The Greatest

Maya Angelou UPLIFTS me. Because of her I too am a PHENOMENAL WOMAN.
Excellent work!

marvelous

I enjoy listening to Maya's voice as an inspiration to carry on in my life struggles.

Beautiful

These are beautiful poems. They are wonderfully read by a great author. My favourite will always be 'And Still I Rise'.

Maya Angelou as classic as ever...

Famous though this poem is, I never tire of hearing it. This volume is as rich as the first time. I am empowered and emboldened by the words of a poet who knows how to raise the broken spirit. And still I rise.