My hero: Maya Angelou by her publisher Lennie Goodings

The late author's UK editor remembers a funny, gracious, kind, demanding, delightful and wise human being and writer of one of the world's great autobiographiesMaya Angelou was one of the world's most important writers and activists. She lived and chronicled an extraordinary life: rising from poverty, violence and racism, she became a renowned author, poet, playwright, civil rights' activist working with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King and memoirist. She wrote and performed a poem, "On the Pulse of Morning", for President Clinton on his inauguration; she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama and was honoured by more than 70 universities throughout the world.I last saw her at the beginning of this month in her home in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and though she obviously wasn't entirely well, she was very much her larger-than-life self: funny, gracious, kind, demanding, delightful and wise. Our conversation ranged over Michelle and Barack Obama, for whom she held huge respect; her "daughter" Oprah; her son and grandchildren, and my family. She talked about James Baldwin and Malcolm X, and we ate pancakes and then, later, wonderful spare ribs. We laughed and we drank. At the time I thought how blessed I am, and now I know I was. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Barack Obama's Memoir Is Finally Here — At Least The First Part Of It

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PRH to Release Obama’s 'A Promised Land’ Globally in November

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Barack Obama memoirs to be released by Viking in November

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How Yaa Gyasi Found Religion (in Literature)

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The Long-Awaited Return of Gayl Jones

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James Silberman, Editor Who Nurtured Literary Careers, Dies at 93

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Cosmo Adds Metered Paywall, Membership Program | News & Notes

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When James Baldwin and Langston Hughes Reviewed Each Other

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Confederate monument enthusiasts targeted my store—and it comically backfired.

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British Book awards balance art and selling power to decide best writer in 30 years

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Sol Stein, Publisher, Author and Champion of James Baldwin, Dies at 92

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Obama reveals summer reads as Morrison, Whitehead, Chiang and Mantel top list

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