List of Maya Angelou works
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The works of Maya Angelou encompass autobiography, plays,
poetry Poetry (derived from the Greek ''poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meanings i ...
, and teleplays. She also had an active directing, acting, and speaking career. She is best known for her books, including her series of seven autobiographies, starting with the critically acclaimed ''
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ''I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'' is a 1969 autobiography describing the young and early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of charact ...
'' (1969). Angelou's autobiographies are distinct in style and narration, and "stretch over time and place", from Arkansas to Africa and back to the US. They take place from the beginnings of World War II to the assassination of
Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...
Angelou wrote collections of essays, including '' Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now'' (1993) and '' Even the Stars Look Lonesome ''(1997), which writer Hilton Als called her "wisdom books" and "homilies strung together with autobiographical texts". Angelou used the same editor throughout her writing career, Robert Loomis, an executive editor at
Random House Random House is an American book publisher and the largest general-interest paperback publisher in the world. The company has several independently managed subsidiaries around the world. It is part of Penguin Random House, which is owned by Germ ...
, until he retired in 2011. Angelou said regarding Loomis: "We have a relationship that's kind of famous among publishers." She was one of the most honored writers of her generation, earning an extended list of honors and awards, as well as more than 30 honorary degrees. She was a prolific writer of poetry; her volume '' Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie'' (1971) was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and she was chosen by President
Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...
to recite her poem "
On the Pulse of Morning "On the Pulse of Morning" is a poem by writer and poet Maya Angelou that she read at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton on January 20, 1993. With her public recitation, Angelou became the second poet in history to read a poem ...
" during his inauguration in 1993. Angelou's successful acting career included roles in numerous plays, films, and television programs, such as in the television mini-series ''
Roots A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients. Root or roots may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusing ...
'' in 1977. Her screenplay ''Georgia, Georgia'' (1972) was the first original film script by a black woman to be produced. and she was the first African-American woman to direct a major motion picture, ''Down in the Delta'', in 1998. Since the 1990s, Angelou participated in the lecture circuit, which she continued into her eighties.


Literature

Unless otherwise stated, the items in this list are from Gillespie et al, pp. 186–191.


Autobiographies

* ''
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ''I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'' is a 1969 autobiography describing the young and early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of charact ...
'' (1969). New York: Random House. * ''
Gather Together in My Name ''Gather Together in My Name'' (1974) is a memoir by American writer and poet Maya Angelou. It is the second book in Angelou's series of seven autobiographies. The book begins immediately following the events described in ''I Know Why the Cage ...
'' (1974). New York: Random House. * '' Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas'' (1976). New York: Random House. * '' The Heart of a Woman'' (1981). New York: Random House. * '' All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes'' (1986). New York: Random House. * ''
A Song Flung Up to Heaven ''A Song Flung Up to Heaven'' is the sixth book in author Maya Angelou's series of autobiographies. Set between 1965 and 1968, it begins where Angelou's previous book '' All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes'' ends, with Angelou's trip from ...
'' (2002). New York: Random House. * ''I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou'' (2004). New York: Modern Library. * '' Mom & Me & Mom'' (2013). New York: Random House.


Poetry

* '' Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie'' (1971). New York: Random House. * ''
Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well ''Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well'' is a book of poems by American author Maya Angelou, published by Random House in 1975. It is Angelou's second volume of poetry, written after her first two autobiographies and first volume of poetry were ...
'' (1975). New York: Random House. * '' And Still I Rise'' (1978). New York: Random House. * ''
Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? ''Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?'' is author and poet Maya Angelou's fourth volume of poetry, published by Random House in 1983. It was published during one of the most productive periods in Angelou's career; she had written four autobiographies a ...
'' (1983). New York: Random House. * ''Poems'' (1986). New York: Random House. * '' Now Sheba Sings the Song'' (1987). New York: Plume Books. * ''
I Shall Not Be Moved "I Shall Not Be Moved", also known as "We Shall Not Be Moved", is an African-American slave spiritual, hymn, and protest song dating to the early 19th century American south. It was likely originally sung at revivalist camp-meetings as a slav ...
'' (1990). New York: Bantam Books. * ''
On the Pulse of Morning "On the Pulse of Morning" is a poem by writer and poet Maya Angelou that she read at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton on January 20, 1993. With her public recitation, Angelou became the second poet in history to read a poem ...
'' (1993). New York: Random House. * ''
The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou ''The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou'' is author and poet Maya Angelou's collection of poetry, published by Random House in 1994. It is Angelou's first collection of poetry published after she read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at ...
'' (1994). New York: Random House. * '' Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women'' (1995). New York: Random House. * '' A Brave and Startling Truth'' (1995). New York: Random House. * "From a Black Woman to a Black Man", 1995 * ''Amazing Peace'' (2005). New York: Random House. * '' Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me'' (2006). New York: Random House. * "Celebrations, Rituals of Peace and Prayer" (2006). New York: Random House. * ''Poetry for Young People'' (2007). Berkshire, U.K.: Sterling Books. * "
We Had Him "We Had Him" is a poem written by Maya Angelou about Michael Jackson. The poem was written for Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009, and read there by Queen Latifah Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Quee ...
", 2009 * "His Day is Done", 2013


Personal essays

* '' Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now'' (1993). New York: Random House. * '' Even the Stars Look Lonesome'' (1997). New York: Random House. * '' Letter to My Daughter'' (2008). New York: Random House.


Cookbooks

* ''
Hallelujah! The Welcome Table ''Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes'' (2004) is author Maya Angelou's first cookbook. It pairs 28 essays written by Angelou with 73 recipes. Angelou got the title from an African-American spiritual.Pierce, Donna (J ...
: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes'' (2004). New York: Random House. * '' Great Food, All Day Long: Cook Splendidly, Eat Smart'' (2010). New York: Random House. ≠←


Children's books

* '' Life Doesn't Frighten Me'' (1993). New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang. * ''My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me'' (1994). New York: Knopf Books. . With photographs by Margaret Courtney-Clarke. * ''Kofi and His Magic'' (1996). New York: Knopf Books. . With photographs by Courtney-Clarke. * ''Maya's World'' series (2004). New York: Random House: :* ''Izak of Lapland'', :* ''Angelina of Italy'', :* ''Renée Marie of France'' :* ''Mikale of Hawaii''


Plays

* ''Cabaret for Freedom'' (
musical revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...
), with
Godfrey Cambridge Godfrey MacArthur Cambridge (February 26, 1933 – November 29, 1976) was an American stand-up comic and actor. Alongside Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, and Nipsey Russell, he was acclaimed by ''Time'' in 1965 as "one of the country's foremost celeb ...
, 1960 * ''The Least of These'', 1966 * ''The Best of These'' (drama), 1966 * ''Gettin' up Stayed on My Mind'', 1967 * ''Sophocles, Ajax'' (adaptation), 1974 * ''And Still I Rise'' (writer/director), 1976 * ''
Moon on a Rainbow Shawl ''Moon on a Rainbow Shawl'' is a 1957 play written by Trinidadian actor-playwright Errol John. Described as "ground-breaking" and "a breakthrough in Britain for black writing," the play has been produced and revived worldwide since its premiere ...
'' (director), 1978


Film and television

* ''Blacks, Blues, Black!'' (writer, producer and host – ten one-hour programs, National Education Television), 1968 * ''
Georgia, Georgia ''Georgia, Georgia'' is a 1972 Swedish-American drama film directed by Stig Björkman. It was entered into the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival. Its screenplay, written by Maya Angelou, is the first known film production for a screenpla ...
'' (writer for script and musical score), Sweden, 1972 * ''All Day Long'' (writer/director), 1974 *
PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...
documentaries (1975): :* ''Who Cares About Kids & Kindred Spirits'' (KERA-TV, Dallas, Texas) :* ''Maya Angelou: Rainbow in the Clouds'' (WTVS-TV, Detroit, Michigan) :* ''To the Contrary'' (Maryland Public Television) :* ''Tapestry and Circles'' * ''Assignment America'' (six one-half hour programs), 1975 * ''Part One: The Legacy; Part Two: The Inheritors'' (writer and host), 1976 * ''
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ''I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'' is a 1969 autobiography describing the young and early years of American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of charact ...
'' (writer for script and musical score), 1979 * '' Sister, Sister'' (writer), 20th Century Fox Television, 1982 * '' Brewster Place'' (writer), ABC, 1990 * ''
Down in the Delta ''Down in the Delta'' is a 1998 American-Canadian drama film, directed by Maya Angelou in her sole film directorial effort and starring Alfre Woodard, Al Freeman, Jr., Esther Rolle (in her final film appearance before her death), Loretta Devine, ...
'' (director), Miramax Films, 1998 * ''
The Black Candle ''The Black Candle'' is a documentary film about Kwanzaa directed by M. K. Asante and narrated by Maya Angelou. The film premiered on cable television on Starz on November, 2012. Synopsis ''The Black Candle'' uses Kwanzaa Kwanzaa () is ...
'' (poetry, narration), Starz, 2012


Plays and films acted in (partial list)

* ''
Porgy and Bess ''Porgy and Bess'' () is an English-language opera by American composer George Gershwin, with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play '' Porgy'', it ...
'', 1954–1955 * ''Calypso'', 1957 * '' The Blacks'', 1960 * ''
Mother Courage Mother Courage (German ''Mutter Courage'') is a character from a Grimmelshausen novel ''Lebensbeschreibung der Ertzbetrügerin und Landstörtzerin Courasche'' (''The Runagate Courage'') dating from around 1670. The character had played a cameo r ...
'', 1964 * ''Look Away'', 1973 * ''
Roots A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients. Root or roots may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusing ...
'', ABC, 1977 * ''Runaway'', Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, 1993 *''Poetic Justice'', 1993 * ''
Touched by an Angel ''Touched by an Angel'' is an American fantasy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994, and ran for 211 episodes over nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and executive produced ...
'' ("Reunion"), CBS, 1995 * ''
How to Make an American Quilt ''How to Make an American Quilt'' is a 1995 American drama film based on the 1991 novel of the same name by Whitney Otto. Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, the film features Winona Ryder, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Nelligan and Alfre Wo ...
'', Universal Pictures, 1995 * ''
Madea's Family Reunion ''Madea's Family Reunion'' is a 2006 American comedy-drama film and an adaptation of the stage production of the same name written by Tyler Perry. The film is a sequel to '' Diary of a Mad Black Woman''. It was written, directed by, and starrin ...
'', Tyler Perry Studios, 2006


Recordings

* '' Miss Calypso'', Scamp Records, 1957 * ''For the Love of Ivy'', ABC Records, 1968 * "And So It Goes" (co-written with
Roberta Flack Roberta Cleopatra Flack (born February 10, 1937) is a retired American singer. She topped the ''Billboard'' charts with the No. 1 singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", " Feel Like Makin' Love", "Wher ...
for Flack's album '' Oasis''), 1988 * ''Been Found'' (collaborated on 7 tracks with
Ashford & Simpson Ashford & Simpson were an American husband-and-wife songwriting-production team and recording duo of Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946). Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, ...
), 1996 * "Music, Deep Rivers in My Soul" (with
Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Award ...
), 2007


Spoken-word albums

* ''The Poetry of Maya Angelou'', GWP Records, 1969 * ''Women in Business'', 1981 * ''On the Pulse of Morning'', Random House Audio, 1993 * ''A Song Flung Up to Heaven'', Random House Audio, 2002


Radio

* Talk show host, '' Oprah and Friends'',
XM Satellite Radio XM Satellite Radio (XM) was one of the three satellite radio ( SDARS) and online radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Holdings. It provided pay-for-service radio, analogous to subscription cable television. Its se ...
, launched 2006


References


Works cited

* Gillespie, Marcia Ann, Rosa Johnson Butler, and Richard A. Long. (2008). ''Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration''. New York: Random House. {{DEFAULTSORT:Angelou, Maya Bibliographies by writer Maya Angelou