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Gather Together in My Name Kindle Edition

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,952 ratings

In this second volume of her poignant autobiographical series, Maya Angelou powerfully captures the struggles and triumphs of her passionate life with dignity, wisdom, humor, and humanity.

“A curiously heartening story in which decency, honor, truth, love do exist, imperfectly, fractionally and flickeringly, not in some Platonic realm of the ideal, but in the flawed lives of real men and women.”—The Washington Post

Gather Together in My Name
continues Maya Angelou’s personal story, begun so unforgettably in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The time is the end of World War II and there is a sense of optimism everywhere. Maya Angelou, still in her teens, has given birth to a son. But the next few years are difficult ones as she tries to find a place in the world for herself and her child. She goes from job to job–and from man to man. She tries to return home–back to Stamps, Arkansas–but discovers that she is no longer part of that world. Then Maya’s life takes a dramatic turn, and she faces new challenges and temptations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Engrossing and vital, rich and funny and wise . . . Angelou writes like a song, and like the truth.”—The New York Times Book Review

“The book is a gem. It presents a descriptive picture of the texture of the lives and times of many black people in the late forties before the dawn of civil rights. It is so insightful and funny-sad, you catch yourself remembering your own young adulthood.”
—Chicago Tribune

“Rich, engaging . . . Angelou tells the story of this dauntless, reckless, foolish girl with few flourishes; it doesn’ t need them.”
—The New Yorker

“Angelou’s stature as a writer, a woman, a black, grows, walks tall.”—Kirkus Reviews

"A heroic and beautiful book." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"This is the story of a great heroine who knows the meaning of a struggle and never loses her pride or dignity. Indeed, her story makes me proud of the human race."
—John Oliver Killens

From the Publisher

In Gather Together In My Name Maya Angelou continues her stunning autobiography. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, passionate and mellow, she fills the pages with both wisdom and wonder as she brings us along in her struggle and dance through life. "a heroic and beautiful book." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer. "This is the story of a great heroine who knows the meaning of a struggle and never loses her pride or dignity. Indeed, her story makes me proud of the human race." -- John Oliver Killens

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0026LTNMC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House (April 15, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 15, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 991 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0812980301
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,952 ratings

About the author

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Maya Angelou
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Maya Angelou has been waitress, singer, actress, dancer, activist, filmmaker, writer and mother. As well as her autobiography she has written several volumes of poetry, including 'On the Pulse of the Morning' for the inauguration of President Clinton. She now has a life-time appointment as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
2,952 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They praise the author's insightful storytelling, describing her experiences as thrilling yet heartbreaking. The writing quality is described as elegant and wonderful. Readers appreciate the honesty, realism, and raw human emotion in the book. They also mention the vivid descriptions and humor that leave them alternately laughing and crying.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

49 customers mention "Readability"49 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging and a must-read in the series. The memoirs are described as powerful, interesting, and well-written.

"Outstanding! Austere but encouraging view into Ms. Angelou's life. Her triumphs, her triumphs. Oftentimes, we see the finished product...." Read more

"...It's amazing read...." Read more

"Very good 👍..." Read more

"...Caged Bird Sings," she found Maya's life story fascinating, thoroughly enjoyed this book, and could barely put it down." Read more

27 customers mention "Storyteller"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyteller insightful and engaging. They describe it as a moving, shocking chapter in Angelou's life with thrilling yet heartbreaking experiences. The book is described as inspiring and a cautionary tale.

"I have all of Maya Angelou’s books! They fill my heart with happiness and joy!..." Read more

"...to learn about all the ups and downs, triumphs and struggle of such an amazing women, and to see how ALL of her experiences shaped her and ever..." Read more

"...It is both inspirational and a cautionary tale. I'd recommend to any young women coming of age and going through life transitions." Read more

"...series, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," she found Maya's life story fascinating, thoroughly enjoyed this book, and could barely put it down." Read more

26 customers mention "Writing quality"23 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the book easy to read and hard to put down. Readers appreciate the author's ability to make them feel through her writing. They also mention that the book flows smoothly and can change their spirit.

"This is a beautifully written memoir by Dr. Maya Angelou. It is both inspirational and a cautionary tale...." Read more

"...The writing is concise and engaging painting vivid pictures of US society at the time" Read more

"I think Maya Angelou is such a great story teller. I was captivated by her use of words and vividness...." Read more

"I love the authors command of language, her descriptions are always so vivid...." Read more

8 customers mention "Honesty"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book honest and realistic. They appreciate the raw human emotion and humor. The autobiography is a quick read.

"...I was genuinely moved by this book and its realism. Raw human emotion...." Read more

"I’m never let down by Mrs. Maya Angelou! Always intriguing and sincere. I always pick her books up and I can’t stop reading...." Read more

"...It is even more engaging than her "Caged Bird". Her honesty & detailed memories at times made me laugh - and cry." Read more

"What can I say? I love Maya! She writes with intention and complete honesty" Read more

5 customers mention "Vividness"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's vivid descriptions and honest portrayal of the underworld life through a poor character's eyes. They find the book background and storyline good.

"...Nice book background and good story point." Read more

"...I was captivated by her use of words and vividness. I was next to her the whole time, seeing the world through her eyes." Read more

"I love the authors command of language, her descriptions are always so vivid...." Read more

"...which Maya Angelou writes about even the least savory of times is beautiful. She simply writes what we can learn from." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find the characters authentic and funny. The autobiography leaves readers laughing and crying at times.

"Maya Angelo is one of the most funny and authentic people/characters I have ever happened upon...." Read more

"...She had been given the gift of humor and this also helped her not to stay depressed...." Read more

"...story-telling this early-life autobiography leaves the reader alternately laughing and crying with a sort of "there but for the grace of God go..." Read more

Great book
5 out of 5 stars
Great book
Great book. Highly recommended to book lovers
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  • Rachel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2024
    I love Maya Angelou’s writing, I read her first autobiography and then bought the rest of them. This is her 2nd one and it covers her alter teenage years. It really reads like it’s a whole lifetime due to all the things she went through. In 3 years she went through so much and so young, I found it so sad that she was going through some awful stuff when she was just so young. I can’t wait to read the next one!
  • Jo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gather together in my name
    Reviewed in Spain on May 3, 2023
    Fast delivery excellent book
  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in India on January 25, 2020
    Great book. Maya Angelou is a true gem.
  • Kerstin Doerflinger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!
    Reviewed in France on August 13, 2017
    Maya Angelou is not just a fascinating woman and civil rights defender, her books are also very important to understand racism. I read all her books within three months and I would recommend them to everyone.
  • Cliente Kindle ragionevoli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better and better
    Reviewed in Italy on May 3, 2018
    I read the first volume of the autobiography and I was impressed but the second one, this one, is even better. Rita is struggling to survive in a very difficult world, she makes mistakes, she resurrect, she goes down again, she meets a lot of nasty people and a few good ones. I look forward to go on with the incredible story of her life. And she is only 19!

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