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New Book Celebrates Maya Angelou On Occasion of 80th Birthday
MAYA ANGELOU: A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION
By Marcia Ann Gillespie, Rosa Johnson Butler and Richard A. Long
The world knows of the legendary Dr. Maya Angelou from her numerous bestselling books including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now” and “A Song Flung Up to Heaven.” Now, upon the occasion of her 80th birthday, MAYA ANGELOU: A Glorious Celebration (Doubleday; ISBN 978-0-385-52615-9; On-sale: April 1, 2008; $30.00) offers a private look inside an extraordinary life.
With an intimate foreword by Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Angelou’s story is told by those who know her best— her niece, Rosa Johnson Butler, and close friends Dr. Richard Long and founding Essence editor Marcia Gillespie. With never-before-seen personal photos and journal pages, MAYA ANGELOU: A Glorious Celebration reveals the many faces—both public and private of Dr. Angelou as well as the remarkable arc of her career.
Born Marguerite Johnson, she grew up in Stamps, Arkansas with her grandmother and brother in the 1930s. At the age of eight she became mute after she was raped by a family friend.
During her six years of silence, she filled her days with reading and books soon became her treasures
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Posted March 26, 2008
and refuge. With her silence, she developed into an intense listener and observer of the spoken word. which would later mold her life’s work.
Marguerite changed her name to Maya Angelou; a name that has become world famous, signifying an intellectual and spiritual icon. She has become a household name and her life’s journey has become legendary. From bluffing her way into a job as a dancer and singer in the 1950s, to her trip to Africa with Malcolm X in the 1960s, to her poetry recitation at Bill Clinton’s first presidential inauguration, her experiences are awe-inspiring. This scrapbook filled with glossy photos not only reveals her infamous achievements, but also her private moments as a mother, friend, confidante, and mentor.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Writer and journalist Marcia Gillespie was the editor in chief of Essence magazine from 1971 to 1980 and was the driving force behind the magazine’s early success.
Rosa Johnson Butler is the niece and archivist of Dr. Angelou.
Richard A. Long, PH.D., is a cultural historian and author.
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