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Letter to My Daughter Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,619 listener ratings
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For a world of devoted fans, a much-awaited new volume of absorbing stories and inspirational wisdom from one of our best-loved writers. Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around her, Letter to My Daughter reveals Maya Angelou’s path to living well and living a life with meaning. Told in her own inimitable style, this book transcends genres and categories: guidebook, memoir, poetry, and pure delight. Here in short spellbinding essays are glimpses of the tumultuous life that led Angelou to an exalted place in American letters and taught her lessons in compassion and fortitude: how she was brought up by her indomitable grandmother in segregated Arkansas, taken in at thirteen by her more worldly and less religious mother, and grew to be an awkward, six-foot-tall teenager whose first experience of loveless sex paradoxically left her with her greatest gift, a son. Whether she is recalling such lost friends as Coretta Scott King and Ossie Davis, extolling honesty, decrying vulgarity, explaining why becoming a Christian is a “lifelong endeavor,” or simply singing the praises of a meal of red rice–Maya Angelou writes from the heart to millions of women she considers her extended family. Like the rest of her remarkable work, Letter to My Daughter entertains and teaches; it is a book to cherish, savor, and share. “I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish speaking, Native Americans and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you.” –from Letter to My Daughter Grateful acknowledgment is made to the following for permission to reprint previously published material: Mari Evans: Excerpt from “I Am A Black Woman” from I Am A Black Woman by Mari Evans (New York: William Morrow, 1970). Reprinted by permission of Mari Evans. Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. and Harold Ober Associates: “I, Too” and “Dream Variations” from The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes by Langston Hughes, edited by Arnold Rampersad with David Russell, Associate Editor, copyright © 1994 by the Estate of Langston Hughes. Rights in the United Kingdom are controlled by Harold Ober Associates. Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates. Melvin B. Tolson, Jr. c/o The Permissions Company: Excerpt from “Dark Symphony” from Rendezvous With America (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1944). Originally published in Atlantic Monthly (September, 1941), copyright © 1941, 1944 by Melvin B. Tolson and copyright renewed 1968, 1972 by Ruth S. Tolson. Reprinted by permission of Melvin B. Tolson, r. c/o The Permissions Company, www.permissionscompany.com.
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"I was drawn to this book because of the title. I found it at a Used Book Sate that I was working at. I love Maya Angelou as the person she is, but honestly, am not a big poetry fan, I hadn't picked up one of her books before this. I am so glad I did. Beautifully written, wonderful things to quote-I highlighted things even, and I hardly ever do that. You could just read a letter/chapter at a time-you don't have to sit down and read the whole thing at once. This is one you could pick up and read for 5 mins for inspiration. Thank You Maya-for this book, and being you in this world. I will now have to add another of your titles to my list."
— Kelci (4 out of 5 stars)
Letter to My Daughter Listener Reviews
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" This was a very insightful book from an amazing woman of strength. Its not very long, but a lot to ponder. Wish I'd read it slower. "
— Jenny, 2/19/2014 -
" Fantastic. Just finished this on the plane the other day. I loved the short little vignettes - they all had big messages. "
— Lynn, 2/9/2014 -
" I am an avid fan of Maya Angelou. And though I thought this book was beautifully written, and was an interesting read, I was not in love. It combined being a reflection on her past life and giving advice based on this life. All in all, it was very disjointed, more a series of short stories interspersed with poetry. "
— June, 2/4/2014 -
" A ton of life long lessons "
— Kristine, 2/3/2014 -
" Makes me want to seek out more of her writing "
— Mecque, 2/2/2014 -
" I was going to review this book for carrieanddanielle.com, but I really don't know what interesting thing I can say about it. It's Maya Angelou. It's Maya Angelou sharing what she's learned in her life. It's Maya Angelou being Maya Angelou. It's lovely, but it speaks for itself. "
— Traci, 1/27/2014 -
" I heard about this book by going to a book talk at the library. So, I drove over to Waterloo, and checked out the book in both hard back and audio. Unfortunately the library audio copy kept skipping in my vehicle CD player, so I am glad I checked out the book itself. Although Maya Angelou had no daughters born to her, she feels she is a mentor to many. There are 28 short life lessons in this book, she wanted to pass on. It is a very easy read, and I really enjoyed it. "
— Chris, 1/22/2014 -
" Listened to it on audio. It was read my Maya, herself. It was autobiographical. I didn't know much about her, she has had an amazing life. "
— Mara, 1/16/2014 -
" A fast and inspiring read that reminds me to make less assumptions, shed pretense, and be more courageous. Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter is a beautiful work told in a graceful but powerful voice. A must read for men and women alike. "
— April, 11/26/2013 -
" A good book. Very quick read. Nice addition to her other books. "
— Glenda, 11/13/2013 -
" It is such a pleasure to read Maya Angelou - I was sorry when the book ended. Great book - really fast read. Finished it on one flight. "
— Miriam, 9/23/2013 -
" Not bad. Not mind-blowing. Some good quotes that I would like to share with my students. "
— Kitchengrrl, 8/22/2013 -
" Truly amazing lessons in life from Maya Angelou. This will be one that I come back to often. I can't wait to share it with my daughters! "
— *Angela*, 8/14/2013 -
" I loved this book! Maya Angelou filled this book with some of her personal life stories and lots of knowledge and wisdom. The book was heartfelt and warm. A must read!! "
— Gen, 8/8/2013 -
" A nice Mother's day gift "
— Bonnie, 6/26/2013 -
" light. had some good excerpts i used with my girl's class. "
— Ally, 5/15/2013 -
" Light reading, simple messages about accepting & forgiving yourself & being the best person you can be regardless of race or religion. "
— Zainab, 1/23/2013 -
" I'm only about 50 pages in, but finding it hard to put down. In the first seven chapters, I've cried for her, disagreed with her, laughed out loud, solemnly swarn to uphold her beliefs as I raise my daughter and renewed my confidence as a mother and a woman. Every mother and woman should read this! "
— Wendy, 1/13/2013 -
" Beautifully written and easy to read. Reading it was like snuggling up in a warm blanket. "
— Heather, 11/28/2012 -
" This is a collection of short little essays reflecting on life lessons and experiences. It's interesting to gain insight into Maya Angelou's thought processes and to think about the simple but profound commentary that she makes. "
— Tiffany, 9/30/2012 -
" Very easy to read and you can pick up at your leisure!-great for a busy woman! "
— Kimberly, 9/29/2012 -
" Pretty good. Has some very wise bits, but as a longtime reader of Angelou's autobiographical pieces, many of these stories have already been told. If you are new to her writings, you will likely enjoy. "
— Malika, 7/16/2012 -
" Countless words of wisdom!,, "
— Christine, 1/2/2012 -
" A lovely collection of Angelou's short stories and wonderfully told wisdom. "
— knitnutt, 7/28/2011 -
" This book contains many small chapters, eaach one sharing a ersonal experience or idea. They are thought provoking, revealing the thoughts & experiences of a black American woman, well educaged, and one who has traveled all over the world and the United States. "
— Jeanette, 5/22/2011 -
" I enjoyed reading this book. It goes quickly and gives little snapshots into Maya Angelou's life. I appreciated some of her life lessons and perspectives. "
— Holly, 5/22/2011 -
" Maya Angelou is a very inspiring women! "
— Brittan, 5/16/2011 -
" As the quote from the Baltimore Sun on the cover page of the paperback editions says, "It's a book to give one's daughter, mother, son or father..." I purchased it for my own 24 year old daughter and am awaiting her reaction. "
— Kwesi, 5/8/2011 -
" This is a must read! Each essay contains a powerful message...some I could already relate to and others to prepare me for the future. "
— Sarah, 5/4/2011 -
" Inspiring and empowering. So much of what Maya Angelou says will stick with you forever. "
— Libby, 5/4/2011 -
" I just did not get into this book. I think I was wanting an actual story. Some good drama. While some of Maya Angelou's life stories are definitely interesting, I found her writing style to be a bit drab. It was a quick read however. "
— Tonya, 4/12/2011 -
" Overall excellent book, though more memoir and less lessons at many points in the book. <br/><br/> "
— Stephanie, 4/7/2011 -
" Maya Angelou is one of the most inspiring poets I have ever read. I have enjoyed all her works. This is another great read! "
— Travis, 3/30/2011 -
" "Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution." "
— Diana, 3/26/2011 -
" Makes me want to seek out more of her writing<br/><br/><br/> "
— Mecque, 2/26/2011 -
" invigorates the soul. warms the heart. peace of mind. simply put, amazing. "
— Reyhaneh, 2/18/2011
About Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was a singer, actress, dancer, activist, filmmaker, writer, and mother. In addition to her bestselling autobiographies she wrote several volumes of poetry, including “On the Pulse of the Morning” for the inauguration of President Clinton. She was given a lifetime appointment as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and in 2010 President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.