Letter to My Daughter

I respect Maya Angelou and she is a good writer (I read her biography) but I could not get through this book due to the reoccurring theme of her hatred for white people. She bluntly blames the white race for all evil in the world and every bad thing she believes happened to her even though she had a beautiful, successful life. Though I cannot imagine what it was like for her growing up in a time of horrible and unacceptable racism. She lived a difficult, heroic, amazing, triumphant life. She left her mark on the world.

In this book, "Letter to My Daughter" by Maya Angelou, I discovered a few new facts about Doctor Maya Angelou. For example, I did not realize her mother owned a hotel. I also didn't remember her sense of humor. I also think she had the ability to disagree with a person's opinion without raising her voice and maintaining her dignity in front of other people. This book definitely gives a fuller picture of this woman's opinions.

I liked thinking about the women she called her daughters. These women must have visited her countless times and received good advice. Two of the women she listed as daughters are Oprah Winfrey and Gayle B. King. Maya Angelou also remembers people who "mothered" her whenever struggles occurred in her life. For those of us who did not have the chance to meet her personally, she hopes her books will nurture us as a mother would care for her children throughout life.

It is grand to know that the book is for every type of woman: Black, White, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, Spanish, Aleut and Muslim. Men can relate to this book as well. Dr. Maya Angelou makes us comfortable with the rest of the world. She shares cultural mistakes and a light laugh. She writes about foods and of course, her friends. One friend is James Baldwin and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

Of course, she talks about her mother and Guy. Her mother is a woman who is passionate and very ready to get protection for her daughter if necessary. Each time I read one of these books, I think of Maya Angelou as the mother and the mother as the child: She was taller than her mother. She seemed more serious than her mother. At times, it seems like the mother felt apologetic for her behavior and needed Maya Angelou's forgiveness. With all of Maya Angelou's gifts, acting and dancing among them, I feel that poetry writing was her favorite

I am embarrassed to say that this is my first Maya Angelou book, but I daresay it won't be my last. Wow. Part essay, part poetry, part instruction manual for life, Letter to My Daughter is a love letter to all women.

You see, Dr. Angelou never had a daughter. She was the mother of one son, and she will tell you how he came to be in Letter to My Daughter because this is personal. This is what you want your mom or grandmom to whisper to you as the shucked peas plop into the sink.

Motherhood, her own mothering (both from her paternal grandmother in the south as well as her mother in San Francisco), politics, segregation, religion, and so much more ground is covered in a skinny little book.

Tender and raw, honest and hopeful, I can't help but wonder what Angelou would say about the state of affairs we find ourselves in now. In 2018, nearly a decade has passed since Angelou put ballpoint pen to yellow legal paper and this missile of a book was set out into the world. Ten years seems like a short span of time, but look at the changes our world has seen since Dr. Angelou ruminated on her world, our world...What WOULD she think, I wonder?

"I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian and Spanish-speaking, Native American 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," writes Maya Angelou in the introduction of her inspirational new book Letter to My Daughter. The following pages are full of stories and life lessons Angelou has learned over eighty years. "I have only included here events and lessons which I have found useful," the famous poet writes. "I have not told you how I have used the solutions, knowing you are intelligent and creative and resourceful and will use them as you see fit."

There are few books that I love so much I would read again. This is one of them. I got Angelou's Letter to My Daughter in the mail around 4 p.m. and finished it before bed. I read it to my children as they played, read it after they had gone to sleep, and far into the evening hours. Angelou's words were so poetic and musical I felt as if she were speaking directly to me. I learned of her best and worst moments in life, her ideas about love, death, violence, patriotism and spirituality. I really liked how she illustrated an important situation in her life without telling the reader what to take away from the scene.

My favorite story was when Angelou visited the famous actress Samia in Sengal. Angelou had heard that women in Egypt did not let their guests walk on their gorgeous Persian rugs and decided to test her hostess. She noticed the other guests at Samia's party were not stepping on the rugs and believed Samia had informed them not to do so. So Angelou walked on them, back and forth, back and forth. The other guests smiled at her weakly. Angelou engaged in a conversation with a fellow writer and barely noticed the maids rolling up the rug and replacing it with an equally beautiful floor covering. The maids covered the rug with place settings and dinner. Angelou had been walking all over their table cloth! She was so embarrassed she could barely eat. "In an unfamiliar culture, it is wise to offer no innovations, no suggestions, or lessons," Angelou wrote.

Here is one of my favorite paragraphs in the book: "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. 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."

Letter to My Daughter is a gem of wisdom and inspiration. Every woman should read it at least once. This book has become a permanent fixture in my personal library.

by Jennifer Melville
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Maya Angelou gave birth to one child, a son, but she offers this book to ALL women regardless of color, faith, size, sexual preference or level of education. In brief chapters she submits herself as she did to a boy at sixteen, already six-feet tall, thinking she'd have breasts if she had sex; to a suitor who almost killed her; the day she imagined herself as someone who might really become somebody, to come to our own defense when and wherever needed, and that when we walk in, "Everybody knows I'm here." Her words take full measure of the grandeur of her being and I was again humbled and fortified by them.

This is the perfect book! At only 166 pages, it is short but every single page is filled with interesting stories and valuable advice. I recently read a quote that said, "Timid women don't make history." Maya Angelou lives her life boldly and with courage and has been making history for many decades. There are too many inspiring stories to mention them all but below are some of the lessons that I will carry with me as a source of inspiration.

* You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
* Be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.
* Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.
* Never whine. Whining lets a brute know that a victim is in the neighborhood.
* Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking and you might find a new solution.
* Be charitable. Being charitable doesn't always involve a monetary gift; you can be charitable with a smile and a kind word.
* Kids make mistakes; its ok to love them through it
* When you are genuinely proud of your children, you give them permission to be proud of themselves.
* Miracles can happen through prayer.
* When people ask, "How are you?" have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully.
* A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.
* Each of us must care enough for ourselves, that we can be ready and able to come to our own defense when and wherever needed.
* You are never too old to find true love.

Ms. Angelou advises that Courage is our greatest attribute. Read, enjoy, be inspired and be courageous!

I loved hearing Maya Angelou reading this book. Her voice is so calming; yet, one full of wisdom and experience. There were times that I shed a tear as Ms. Angelou read a letter to all of her daughters, as this letter was also written to me. Many times, I thought it was explicitly written just for me due to shared experiences and understanding. I recommend this book for young women graduating high school, mothers, middle-aged women, and our elders. I believe that whether you are young or old, you can glean some beautiful life advice. I will be buying this book to add to my literary greats.

Reading Maya Angelou is warmth, understanding, truth, power, human, and so real. Letter to My Daughter is a beautiful collection of essays and stories to all of us daughters that she never had. Her ability to be uplifting in even the darkest moments never fails to help me turn my head towards the right direction in my path.

Letter To My Daughter, written by acclaimed author, poet, performer, teacher, director and activist Maya Angelou, is an absolute must-read for every teen, woman and daughter, alike. Angelou is an incredible woman with an incredible story. Her journey through life is captivating and inspirational. As she describes her battles with violence, love and everything in between, one can't help but respect the woman behind the poetry. Furthermore, Angelou takes the reader back to her struggle with money and tells the story of her independence and motherhood. Her experiences with womanhood, sex, motherhood and her pursuit of happiness are a worthy read and Angelou proves to be a commendable woman.

Angelou's proclamation that she birthed one son but has "thousands of daughters, who are "Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian," etc, is heart-warming and telling of her character. I especially loved the idea that this memoir was a letter to every woman and could reach them on a personal basis all over the world. The advice that streams through her personal stories starts out as inspirational but has a tendency of getting redundant and mundane. However, Angelou makes it up at the end as her poems are a work of art. Overall, Letter To My Daughter proves to be a moving and touching memoir of life struggles, stories, and lessons encompassing family values, independence, and love.

What a beautiful work of art! Maya Angelou had a brilliant mind and such incredibly diverse talents. She wrote from her heart, revealing deeply personal moments which she transformed into universal truths without ever talking down to the reader. "We have the brains and the heart....(to be) taking responsibility for the time we take up and the space we occupy." Love it! This book is a mixture of essays, poetry and very short stories. A must for anyone who wants to learn more about this remarkable woman and about themselves.

A short but powerful essay collection, pivoting back and forth between Angelou's personal memoirs and her observations / advice for how to live a decent life to the fullest. Her words are guaranteed to be echoing in my head for a long time to come.

I'm a huge Maya Angelou fan, so getting this book as a gift was a real treat. It's full of short snippets of wisdom, stories, and advice from Angelou. A few poems are thrown in for good measure. If you're unfamiliar with her work, it will give you enough of a taste to further explore one of her many autobiographies or poetry books. If you are familiar with her, you'll enjoy re-reading about her experiences and the lessons she's learned.

I found some of the book similar in content to her other books and stories, but nonetheless, if you're a woman you need to hear this advice again and again.

I have never heard of or read the writings of anyone with the honesty and creativity of the one who penned this book. Yes, I knew she was creative because I heard the poem she wrote for Bill Clinton's inauguration. Yes, I knew her presence on that platform meant she walked with, even if she didn't keep company with, the elite and powerful. But it was only when I read this book that I knew her humility and grandeur as a human being and poet. Her biography says she is more -- a cook, a funeral 'preacher,' professor, musician, accomplished linguist -- in short, to purloin her words, "a national spirit." Maybe even "a national treasure" worth so much that Fort Knox would have to risk poverty!

If you ever start, I am willing to wager that you will finish this book in open-mouthed wonder and will try to put it aside to savor this feast of words strung together like pearls in a necklace. Even when you are sated -- with, maybe, a full stomach or belly, as she would have said, of "glistening red rice," you are still going to hold the words in your mind and heart and mouth since all three will be so full that receiving more will be impossible.

If you are getting my drift by now then you are probably guessing that I am recommending it. But I am not. I'm suggesting that you run to the nearest bookstore, even if it is 5 miles away, buy "Letter to My Daughter," sit down at the nearest spot and read, read, read!!! That's all I have to say.

A perfect read. Each short chapter is a little excerpt from her life. The reader is allowed to draw her own conclusions. This was an extremely positive experience for me. There is one paragraph I am especially fond of. "The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today, I am blessed."

I've put this paragraph onto little slips of paper. When my days have been stressful, I take out the slip and read the words just for myself. I feel uplifted.

Initially, I wasn't sure this book was for me. I have no daughters. Since I have all her books and have read them, I was certain there would be something for me too.

Maya Angelou has been an important voice for many years and readers have gotten used to the fact that each of her books opens for them new perspectives. Angelou uses a variety of genres but her wisdom and wit fill each of the volumes she penned.
This book is no different - the essays combine to draw a very personal view of the world. This is a view as seen by a woman, a mother - it is warm, human, and private. Sometimes they are funny, sometimes sad - what they always share is honesty and wisdom.
When you can listen to a wise person, you should not miss the chance. It is a very good sign for the American reading audience that such a "difficult" book made it to the top of bestsellers list. There are very few people such as Maya Angelou - their voices should be listen to very attentively.

June 18, 2009
`Maya Angelou's New Success'
By McKayla Sturges:
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou. 166 pp. New York: Random House. $25
Are you searching for a book that is life changing and exhilarating? St. Louis, Missouri born Maya Angelou has written a book, Letter to My Daughter ,that fits those qualities and beyond. Set in Requiem, the book goes from the story of Maya's childhood and motherhood to poetry and her outlook on life itself. Her style of writing creates an illusion for understanding of her words. Generally, I found this book enlightening and fresh. I urge for everyone of all ages to read the inspirational collection of Maya's essays.
In the prologue, Maya writes, "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 American 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." This attention-grabber means that she wrote this book to tell her "thousands of daughters" that she is offering her advice, stories, and outlook on life itself. Chapter titles such as "Philanthropy", "Mother's Long View", "Celia Cruz", or "Salute to Older Lovers" foreshadows the meaning or purpose of the chapter. In the early chapters of the Angelou explains her childhood of growing up with her paternal grandmother, Uncle Willie, and her brother, Bailey in Stamps, Arkansas. When she was a teenager, she made the move to California to live with her distant mother. As years go by in her new home, she realizes the facts of life. Basically in the book, Angelou dishes out solutions to many struggles men and women have in life, and insight on philanthropy. Especially in the final chapter titled, "Keep the Faith." The most meaningful passage was this, "Whenever I began to question whether God exists, I looked up to the sky and surely there, right there, between the sun and moon, stands my grandmother, singing a long meter hymn, a song somewhere between a moan and a lullaby and I know faith is the evidence of things unseen. And all I have to do is continue trying to be a Christian." Overall, the book gave me whole new outlook on life.
Maya Angelou is a fantastic writer and poet. She uses a wide variety of vocabulary and she is descriptive on what she talks about. For example in, "My real growing up world, in Stamps, was continual struggle against a condition of surrender. Surrender first to the grown-up human beings who I saw every day, all black and all very, very large. Then submission to the idea that black people were inferior to white people, who I saw rarely," words like submission and her description of people. Every single piece she has written are absolutely amazing, but I would say this is her most accomplished work by far. I guarantee you will enjoy and be inspired by Letter to My Daughter as much as I have. Enjoy Maya Angelou's masterpiece.

This is the second Maya Angelou book I've read in the past two weeks.I Know Why The Caged Bird sings I read in two days. What a story of Maya's life! I wish I had listened to Oprah years ago about how talented a writer Maya Angelou was, and what a dynamic person she was. She has quickly become my favorite author. Her writing, and philosophy of life is nothing short of admirable. I plan to read everything she has written.

I was incredibly fortunate to acquire this book at the Library yesterday for 50 cents, brand new, I don't think it had been opened, which is a terrible loss to the person that gave it away. I am a huge Maya Angelou fan; I read this simple book packed with wisdom overnight. Now I will go back through and highlight passages and take notes in the blank pages in the back, and I WILL pass it on to my daughter! Simple truths/such wisdom, is concluded at the end of every chapter, and certainly a lot should be committed to my memory! Wish me abundant luck on that ;). Every parent of a daughter, grandparent, loving aunt or uncle, mentor of young ladies, should give this as a gift. Wonderfulness. Bless her heart!

Are there any words to really describe the writings of Maya Angelo? The best I can do is say she clearly is in this world but not of this world. I adore her works. I adore her. I absolutely love her. I love listening to her voice. She has a beautiful healing voice, a voice that one savors every word she says.

Letter to My Daughter was so beautiful, so authentic, so loving, so honest, and so Maya! I cried, I laughed, and I was sad when I finished listening to the cd. Usually I prefer to read a book as opposed to listening to one on tape or cd. But, because I love Maya's authentic voice I wanted to order this particular book on CD. And, I am glad I did.

This is an excellent read. As usual it is timeless and tells about the trials and tribulations and happiness of what life can be. And, Maya can do that better than most any writer or orator. I cried and I laughed as I listened to the book. There is a part of this book where she was told to say, "God loves me". That part just spoke to my soul, and as I listened I just cried. Maya reminds me what it says somewhere in Matthew when the Lord says to his children:
and I am paraphrasing...he said he is sending his sheep out into the world and requests they be as smart as serpents and as innocent as a dove. Maya Angelo not only has linear intelligence, but has spiritual intelligence as well...her innocence is manifested by her truth. She is not afraid to tell of her mistakes and certainly not a blamer. She is one that is accountable for what she does and doesn't do. And, in today's world that is a mighty fine example to set. She is an inspiration beyond words.

Often when I have been sad and over the last several years life has been difficult for me...I often think to myself...if I was sitting next to Maya Angelo on a front porch on a beautiful peaceful sunny day thinking about my sadness...I know I wouldn't have to say one word about it for I know she is an empath and would be able to feel my sadness. And, I have actually visualized this scene particularly on very sad days, and I have visualized her just sitting next to me with that beautiful smile and saying, "there, there...everything will be just fine...you wait and see, everything will be just fine." And, I say...I have waited for so long, I am growing so tired of waiting, and she says...well, you won't have to wait that much longer. Then she offers me some ice tea. And, I tell you this little scene heals me in many different ways. Although, she never had a daughter, you know I believe she would have said something like that to a daughter, especially one that was suffering in great emotional pain. She is loving like Jesus that way. And, I just think of her as the epitomy of class, dignity, and grace. God loves her, and so do I.

This is a beautiful book and I would suggest everyone buy it and read it, for her words are of the character of what our fine country once was!

Dr Angelou had over 50 years as an artist when she past. This books feels exactly as it's title implies. It is a book of candid thoughts and lessons that will live on for us, her daughter's for many years to come.

Maya is my favorite writer because despite her amazing grasp on the English language, she never forgets what it is that she wants to say. She uses the words as decorations but never forgets what she's decorating in the first place. In this book she recounts the traits she admires most and the people who exemplified them the best. In this respect it's familiar to God Bless you Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut. I think if you liked that one you'll feel the same way about this. The wisdom pours from both.

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[...]

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.
[...]

I have a notebook loaded with quotes from this book. Angelou is a national treasure. She has overcome so much adversity, and rather than let any of it pull her down, she turned the grit of her life into an intricate and rich web of meaning and reflection, truly spinning gold from straw. I know of no other writer who can write as beautifully and also so substantially about the human condition. I've read many of her works, but this one spoke to me and resonated in a way that is more powerful than any words I possess. I am humbled by her craft and authenticity.

I'm inspired, inspired by great women like Diane Rehm, Maya Angelou, Asha Bhonsle, Marian McPartland, to name a few. Today is my day to be in awe with one of them, i.e. Maya Angelou. She's so much! I mean, she is a writer, a poet, an adviser, a teacher, a speaker, but most importantly, she's a strong, confident and courteous woman. I respect and honor every well thought out word she speaks, the clear vision of character she has, the valuable beliefs and thoughts she shares, the glow around her she unknowingly exudes and so much more!

I listened to her talk with Diane Rehm back in November last year ([...]) and was moved by her words. She talked about practicing humility and remembering to thank our ancestors for doing all that they did, for ensuring we are where we are. But more importantly, she said, "What do I do? What is my job? My job, it seems to me very clearly, is to make myself a person who the next generation will say Thank You to."

Her new book, Letter to my Daughter is such a thought provoking read that I think it should be a mandatory read for life. It is an even more interesting read as Ms. Angelou does not have any daughters. She just has a son, but she embraces thousands of women as her daughters. I say thank you to her for this!

This book is a biography in the form letters to her daughter. She discusses that she's lived a privileged life, with a few hard bangs and a few collisions with her own ethnocentric-isms during her travels far and wide, which it seems she's still strongly rooted in. I believe she is still walking across the rug in cultures she doesn't understand. If you wanted to know Maya a bit better, this would be interesting. But if you were expecting a healthy chew of retrospective insight, I got a lot more out of Alan Alda's Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself.

Maya Angelou has been an important writter for many years and readers know that each of her books opens for them up to new perspectives. Her wisdom and wit fills each page.

Also read the Bobby Brown biography.
Imagine being in one of the most successful boy bands of all time, New Edition; Then leave the group to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world; Date some of the most world renown celebrities, such as Janet Jackson and Madonna....
Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But...

I love Maya Angelou. I am an author and poet and I have been reading her work because she is so inspirational. This book was a great lesson about life and the lessons she learned and also things she went through. Also in this book you will see Ms Angelou express her emotions and love about her mother and her son but she also shares with us about some of the things she endured in her life. She is a powerful African American woman and her work will always be popular in the bookstores.

I was disappointed there was not a daughter, but premise is okay.
Interesting background of author-pretty horrible a couple times.
I admire her tenacity, maybe got some of that from her mother. Still,
she was odd. It would have probably have answered questions that arouse
during the reading, if the author explained her mothers behavior more.
A lack of responsibility bothered me a little. The poetry section was
good. Angelou's preachy tendencies were less apparent than in other books.
All in all it was okay.

Letter to My Daughter is a collection of 28 essays on life, faith, motherhood, kindness, and what it means to be human. The pieces are short but are wonderful words of wisdom and insight.

I am right with Angelou as she takes on popular culture and our acceptance of obscenity. She calls on us to improve our values to be a people of substance, and to require the same from our elected officials. I found this to be a very thought provoking read.

A glimpse into the heart and mind of a grounded genius, these words spark the mind and feed the soul of the reader. Mother Dr. Maya draws you into her prose and leaves you sustained by the wisdom within.

I just don't get this book. It seemed more like a desperate fund-raising campaign than a literary effort. 166 numbered pages, a full half of them with no content, just blank space. The print pages contained works of Ms Angelou which had appeared elsewhere, or the attributed works of others. The short chapters are not letters and there was no daughter. So, we are left with very little of original substance. I have great admiration for Maya Angelou, a very accomplished woman, indeed an iconic person, just not this "book."

Maya Angelou dazzles the mind with her ability to create words around important things. Although intrinsic to the Afro American, you can't help thinking how close those subjects are to everyone's heart. How she talks about old love, the south, religion, graduation, finding a place in the world to shine, her grandmother, migration of the body and yet the roots of heritage. Lots of things we think we think about, suddenly need rethinking. And, she gives just the right amount of fire to rethink them and how they effect our lives. It becomes a reference of life. And so a part of that private library, we should reference in our journey.

And it won't be the last, I intend to proceed with Won't Take Nothing For My Journey Now. This book was wise and fully felt. I got the sense of knowing her. She knew how to share emotions through writing. We are poorer for losing her but richer for having her thoughts recorded.

Of course I know who Maya Angelou is, but I have to be honest, I've never read any of her poetry. I saw an article about her on CNN.com, and this book was mentioned. I saw this book at Costco a few days later, bought it, and read it in one sitting. I am now contemplating whether I want to keep my copy or pass it along to a girl friend, for this is the kind of book that you want to treasure forever, yet share with every woman you know.

I bought the book as a gift for one of my friends who is a big Maya Angelou fan -- she absolutely loved it... so much that she began to read excerpts out loud to me. The prose is beautifully written, the antics heartwretching and funny, and the message Angelou has is a message that can speak to all women, regardless of economic status, skin color, or any other surface aspect that divides us.

I really like this book. It was so encouraging to read the words of Maya, it was almost like hearing her speak them herself. I loved her personal testimonies and how she described her responsibility to humanity and the wellbeing of others. It gave me a sense of responsibility as well, and caused me to reflect over my life. I would definitely recommend this book to my sisters, best friends, and mother. It's a nice read :o)

This is a very inspiring book! Love that she addresses this book to sisters: all women. What a rich life she has lived and still lives!!
It got me directly going to pursue something I have been thinking of doing for a while.
Women, do you want to know more about yourself and connect with other women as women? I invite you to take a look at: [...]
She writes about her life as a novel. For me the poetry stopped the flow.

Unlike the other reviews on the store I found this a poorly written rehash of Maya's earlier, much superior efforts. It is a very small series of mini essays, expanded by the publisher to make it look like a book.
There is a smarmy, self indulgence whicn irritated me in most of the segments; mixed with a religiosity that poses as a life philosophy.
I wonder if this volume would have found a publisher if it had been written by a new author.

I have been a fan of Maya Angelou since in school when we read Why the Caged Bird Sings. When I saw this book on Oprah I had to read. i was not disappointed. As usual anything Maya Angelou puts to paper is the best. What a great read. I suggest to everyone. Thank you for such a great book.

I have so many pleasant things I could write about this book but I will just send a personal thanks to Ms. Maya Angelique in spirit for being an AMAZING WOMAN, WRITER, SPEAKER, and Friend to and for ALL WOMEN! RIP

The title "Letter to my Daughter" is a prelude to what the book is about. I became more acquaitant with Maya. She shared personal experiences that demonstrated how she over came and continued to persevered through adversity. It's a book that you would share with your daughter in hopes that she would chase her dreams regardless of circumstances. Maya is a every day person that continues to push pass hurts and disappointments of life.

Best yet ever by Maya Angelou!
This book is for the daughters who have experienced weakness for a man that you know is not good for the soul; for the daughters who find that love for a child is undescribable in that you love them passionately like nothing else in the world no matter what they do; for the daughters that have experienced emotional and physical abuse at the hands of someone that says they "love you" (GET OUT after you have a plan in place); for the daughters that have found her true soulmate (oh what a joy it is).

Read A Letter to My Daughters and buy a copy or 500 for your closest friends at Christmas or birthday.

I have read and treasure all of Maya Angelou's books and was excited that she had written a new one. Although several of the stories I recalled from her other books, it was a delight to revisit them in another format. Letter to My Daughter made me laugh, cry and reflect. I was so enamoured by this book that I sent one to each of my two grown daughters. Just another example of Ms. Angelou's superb talent.

Just 82 pages of text makes this "book" practically an essay. I enjoyed the content (thank you Maya) but was a little disappointed that there was not more. All 28 chapters are proceeded by 2-3 blank pages. For $15 I can't help but feel a little jipped. Might be the book to borrow from the library- a few hours and you are through it.

Maya Angelou is a woman I admire. I feel like she spoke directly to me in this book. I loved that there were some blank pages in the back of the book so I could add my own letter to each of my daughters

This was a wonderful collection of Angelou's wisdom. Some I have read in her other works but it merited repetition. I would recommend to men and women alike although women will certainly get a beautiful sentitment from Angelou's heart. The introduction is my favorite since she addresses all of her sisters of every color and body type.

This was not a terrible read, but certainly deja vu. I've read all these stories in one form or another somewhere else. I expected this advice for "daughters", to be about lessons that Angelou want to pass on the women. Instead, the book is a memoir which is broken into small short stories. I enjoyed reading the stories (again) but i felt duped. the recyling of these stories is not what i'd expect from Angelou. I wanted something fresh and new; this book did not deliver.
For the reader who has never read Angelou's novels, these stories will be refreshing and wonderful.

This is a great and heart warming book. All of her books are filled with true and wonderful words of wisdom. She is a very interesting woman and so are her books. I bought all my daughters and granddaughters this book. It is a wonderful gift to people you care so deeply about. They throughly enjoyed it. It is a great gift even if not for a daughter.

I want to express my gratitude to God - Our Father and to you for your "Letter to my Daughter" audio composition. It is a wonderful work that I shall take to heart in the efforts to grow in truth, humility, and love.

I purchased this book for my teenage daughter for Christmas. It arrived on time and in perfect condition. I was pleased with the whole process. The book is wonderful. It is something I know she will cherish and enjoy in her collections of essays. We both are great fans of Maya. I would definitely recommend this book!

Letter to My Daughter a beautiful book. Maya Angelou has a real gift for writing from the heart. I could read this book over and over again. I gave the book to my daughter for her birthday who was thrilled. She will cherish it for a long time. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. This book will be a keeper!

Dr. Angelou really captured me with this one. I received it and immediately read through the entire book. Her testimonies made me laugh, cry, and think about life in some new ways. I have already given it as a gift to a close friend. You are sure to enjoy it!

I was intrigued by this book. I finished it in under 2 hours and was surprised how easily I went through it, however I was a little disappointed. I understand that it was a collection of events, thoughts and poetry that helped Ms. Angelou and she believed that it would help others, but by the time I finished, I was not only intrigued like I said in the beginning but also very confused. I know that this book will be one of those that cause a great deal of discussion.

I have not read any of Maya Angelou's books but when I read an excerpt of this I was eager to read more. Unfortunately, the rest of the book did not measure up to my expectations. While the chapters were short and a quick read, they left me feeling like I had missed something; some profoundness, some great inspiration. The only chapter that really came close to touching my heart was the chapter on gratitude. I will take that lesson with me and leave all the rest.

"Letter to MY Daughter," was a great read. I wasn't expecting to read about Maya Angelou's personal life, but I am very greatful that she felt it within her heart to tell women of all races and cultures some of her lifes experiences. Thanks for considering me your daughter!

Just to be able to write a review with Maya's name on it is an 3extraordinary honor.
Her words are like a gentle balm that soothes the soul. She is for everyone. Her encounters and wisdom come from the deepest place in her heart - all keeping me on the edge of my seat, hanging on to her every word.
How this world is blessed because of YOU, Maya Angelou!
You take our pains and anoint them with saint-like compassion.
Your messages relate to us all.
Every joy you have experienced and every important lesson you have learned is bestowed upon us like a blessing from on high.

In all of literature, throughout all of history, there will always be only one Maya Angelou. We are so deeply BLESSED to have you on this earth. THANK YOU from our soul for bringing us the incredible wisdom that can change our lives.
We love you!

Man...just finished this book, and I had to look at the authors name acouple of times to make sure that I did indeed read her book. I love her stuff, but this wasn't what I thought it would be. I will need to read it again. I am very easy to please...look at my other reviews. I love her stuff and couldn't wait to breathe her book into my life, but I just didn't get it . I am not to worried though...I know that many will disagree with me and let me know where I went wrong.

I think each of the writings have much to say. I understand what the work was meant to stand for, but I don't feel like the job got done.

Again I will read the book...maybe the next time I will try some wine with it..some good music...not sure why it didn't sit well with me.

I was eager to read this book by Maya Angelou but came away very disappointed. I expected this to be a book giving women a bit of wisdom or advice on life lessons learned that could be shared. Unfortunately, it was not to be in this book. I felt cheated that it turned out to be a mere autobiographical rambling that left me feeling a bit irritated. Ms. Angelou seemed to be justifying a lot of bad behavior as a means to an end in the quest to become independent and successful. I found it hard to admire women who abandon their children for others to raise and are then looked upon in some weird pseudo-saintly light. My mother may not have owned much or been accomplished much in the eyes of others, but I certainly never had to "make an appointment for lunch" with her while my children and I ate bad food, nor would she drive away in her car to leave me finding my own ride. I think sacrifice and selflessness are much greater virtues than "becoming somebody". I also found the "We were oppressed" thread running throughout to be wearying. Enough -- it is time to move on if we truly desire equality.

I read the reviews here as well as NPR radio and bought the book. It is completely disappointing. I did not find anything inspiring in stories such as the types of 'I drank cockroach with coffee so you better be blessed when you drink a normal one'.

Do not buy it - you wont learn anything from it.