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Describes the life of the author and activist, from her childhood in Georgia to her emergence as a subject of both adulation and controversy. ... Read more

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FANTASTIC
At last a real book about real life regarding realization for all women out there, that you do not need a man in your life. I repeat:YOU DO NOT NEED A MAN.Current:song "No Scrubs" ("No, I don't wantyour numberNo, I don't want to give you mineAnd no, I don't want tomeet you nowhereAnd no, I don't want none of your time" It's abouttime women got wise to fast-talking, going-little-if-any-where's types thatshow up in sports garb orflaunting-my-only-pinstripe-BillyDee-come-on-with-plenty-of-flash typesthat give themselves away really, in no time, huh?Yeah.Salt 'N Pepasaid it best in their song:"Some A Time Man."(and this iswritten by a Caucasian male in his 40's) Ha ha out there to all youflunkies.

A wonderful book to display the emergence of an abused woman
"The Color Purple" is a good book showing how an abused woman finds her place in life without a man. From a womanist perspective the reader can come into Celie's world and feel her pain, and at times, her glory. ... Read more

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Alice Walker is one of the most influential and controversial figures in twentieth-century American literature. This collection of essays represents a dispassionate scholarly effort to comprehend the essential elements of her prolific imagination, which celebrates women by chronicling their troubled journey from silence to self-expression and from pain to resistance. The essays fall largely into three main groups, focusing on Walker's most famous and controversial novel, The Color Purple, on her poetry, which has for too long met with critical neglect, and on her ecofeminist novel, The Temple of My Familiar. ... Read more

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A "must" for all Alice Walker fans and scholars.
This scholarly college-level survey of Alice Walker's works is recommended reading for any who want an assessment of her contributions: essays consider relationships between her protagonists, the Afro-American culturalconcepts underlying their creation, and the focus and foundation of herother writings. An excellent, involving critical collection for moderncollege-level students of her works. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

how does it feel to be coloured me
This is a collection of work from the novelist Zora Neale Hurston. It contains fourteen remarkable selections from a writer who produced novels, essays and letters from 1920 - 1950. It is an anthology of works that provides a wonderful insight into American social and cultural history as well as offering an incredible mental picture of the woman - Hurston. The book is edited by Alice Walker.In 2007 the Guardian newspaper asked women to recommend a book that had made an impact on them as women. Zadie Smith wrote passionately about Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and how, having read this book, her life and writing had been enriched.

I feel at last here was recognition for a black woman writer who Alice Walker describes as "a woman ahead of her time

The book is an extraordinary journey through the title. Hurston writes about black American `folk art' that is questioning and without apology. In the words of Alice Walker "the language of the characters, that `dialect' that has been laughed at, denied or ignored, or `improved' so that white folks ......can understand it is simply beautiful".

Hurston's writing is mean and impressive and she challenges the reader to think and go back and think again - about the meaning of her words. You find yourself asking: is she challenging the `politics' of the day in Crazy for This Democracy, or is she an artist of words, challenging assumptions about ethnicity and culture in What White Publishers Won't Print?

I have dipped into this book over the years and never cease to be amazed and thankful for a language that is rich in meaning and colour, never dull and always inspirational and always able to provide a quote or a text that has meaning for today's readers. I do not think this anthology is now in print. However, other works of Hurston are and readers are to be encouraged to go and seek them out.

This is what Hurston had to say about herself, "I couldn't see it for wearing it. It was only when I was off in college, away from my native surroundings, that I could see myself like somebody else and stand off and look at my garment".

Again she captured the art of critical reflection in a way that I couldn't.

Fantastic for Research Purposes
I am using this text as mainly research for an honors thesis I am writing for my Undergraduate English major. Although it was extremely helpful making connections and describing Hurston the author, it was also extremely enjoyable, holding not only critical essays but exerpts as well. I'd recommend it to any Hurston fan.

Ignore the commentary
Zora Neal Hurston was an iconoclast. In her time her career suffered because she wasn't interested in writing the kind of stuff Langston Hughes and Richard Wright were churning out. The editors of this collection of excerpts of her major works are a lot like her critics. They try mightily to portray Zora as something she was not and are puzzled by Zora's statements that seem pretty straightforward to me. Read Zora's stories, folklore and especially the excerpt from her biography and skip the commentary. ... Read more

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Discusses the personal life and literary career of the African American woman who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, "The Color Purple." ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

how does it feel to be coloured me
This is a collection of work from the novelist Zora Neale Hurston. It contains fourteen remarkable selections from a writer who produced novels, essays and letters from 1920 - 1950. It is an anthology of works that provides a wonderful insight into American social and cultural history as well as offering an incredible mental picture of the woman - Hurston. The book is edited by Alice Walker.In 2007 the Guardian newspaper asked women to recommend a book that had made an impact on them as women. Zadie Smith wrote passionately about Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and how, having read this book, her life and writing had been enriched.

I feel at last here was recognition for a black woman writer who Alice Walker describes as "a woman ahead of her time

The book is an extraordinary journey through the title. Hurston writes about black American `folk art' that is questioning and without apology. In the words of Alice Walker "the language of the characters, that `dialect' that has been laughed at, denied or ignored, or `improved' so that white folks ......can understand it is simply beautiful".

Hurston's writing is mean and impressive and she challenges the reader to think and go back and think again - about the meaning of her words. You find yourself asking: is she challenging the `politics' of the day in Crazy for This Democracy, or is she an artist of words, challenging assumptions about ethnicity and culture in What White Publishers Won't Print?

I have dipped into this book over the years and never cease to be amazed and thankful for a language that is rich in meaning and colour, never dull and always inspirational and always able to provide a quote or a text that has meaning for today's readers. I do not think this anthology is now in print. However, other works of Hurston are and readers are to be encouraged to go and seek them out.

This is what Hurston had to say about herself, "I couldn't see it for wearing it. It was only when I was off in college, away from my native surroundings, that I could see myself like somebody else and stand off and look at my garment".

Again she captured the art of critical reflection in a way that I couldn't.

Fantastic for Research Purposes
I am using this text as mainly research for an honors thesis I am writing for my Undergraduate English major. Although it was extremely helpful making connections and describing Hurston the author, it was also extremely enjoyable, holding not only critical essays but exerpts as well. I'd recommend it to any Hurston fan.

Ignore the commentary
Zora Neal Hurston was an iconoclast. In her time her career suffered because she wasn't interested in writing the kind of stuff Langston Hughes and Richard Wright were churning out. The editors of this collection of excerpts of her major works are a lot like her critics. They try mightily to portray Zora as something she was not and are puzzled by Zora's statements that seem pretty straightforward to me. Read Zora's stories, folklore and especially the excerpt from her biography and skip the commentary. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the personal life and literary career of the African American woman who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, "The Color Purple." ... Read more

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American poet
This is a very touching book for both children and adults alike. The portrait of America in another era is accurate and informative for young minds to understand how things were once upon atime. The biographical sketch relays the influnces early on in Langston Hughes life which shaped him to become one of the great poets of the twentieth century, in spite of racism. His father lived in Mexico and had a disregard for black people whoseperated himself to the extent of living in Mexico. Although he(Langston's father) did well for himself in Mexico he did not support his son. Themajor exception was sending him regretfully to Columbia University which Langston eventually dropped out of much to hisfathers displeasure. Hughes felt isolated and much more relaxed in nearby Harlem. Langston Hughes was a man of letters that he inherited from the story telling his grandmother told him. His love for his culture translated into many books of poetry. Alice Walkeris the writer of this children's book and the author of "The Color Purple," and was tremendously influenced by Hughes himself who she met as a college student.The illustrations are prettyrealistic and further document the story. The book is easy enough for youngsters and may also be good material for middle school readers who have not yet achieved grade level profiency. It is an inspirational story that may get a youngster motivated to write or read further.

An excellent picturebook biography
Catherine Deeter's paintings accompany this celebration of poet Langston Hughes' life, which reads like fiction as it surveys the influences on Hughes' career and the motivations behind his writings and life. An excellent picturebook biography, this requires reading skills but will appeal to grades 2-4. ... Read more

Product Description
The status of Alice Walker as a period writer or permanent figure in American literature remains a source of debate among critics. This volume examines Walker's Meridian and The Color Purple, and includes a list of works by and about the author.

This series is edited by Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities, Yale University; Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Professor of English, New York University Graduate School; preeminent literary critic of our time. Titles include detailed plot summaries of the novel, extracts from scholarly critical essays on the novels, a complete bibliography of the writer's novels, and more. ... Read more

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Alice Walker uses political commentary, poetry, and hard-won wisdom to look at what it means to be a human being in violent times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A prophetic text for a time of crisis
"Sent by Earth: A Message from the Grandmother Spirit after the Attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon," by Alice Walker, is a short text (57 pages) which attempts to deal with the ramifications of the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The book is actually adapted from a speech which Walker gave to the Midwives Alliance of North America at Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 22, 2001.

Walker is a prolific and versatile African-American author, and having read much of her poetry and prose, I found "Sent by Earth" to be very much in tune with her work to date. Walker doesn't just discuss the September 11 attacks in this text. Her other topics include the history of racist oppression in the United States ("American Apartheid" as she calls it), female genital mutilation (which she wrote about in her book "Possessing the Secret of Joy"), African cultural tradition, the deaths of Iraqi children since Operation Desert Storm, the Taliban's oppression of women in Afghanistan, and more. Along the way she writes with admiration of such individuals as U.S. Congresswoman Barabara Lee and Buddhist peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. At the heart of Walker's book seems to be the question, "How do we reclaim a proper relationship with the world?"

"Sent by Earth" struck me as somewhat fragmented, as not fully formed. Nevertheless, Walker's passion for justice, compassion for other human beings, and multicultural vision shine through.

A message people should listen to
First off, I'd like to say thanks to the publisher for another fine addition to the Open Media Pamphlet series.We need you more than ever before!

I've never read anything by Alice Walker before and I was mildly surprised at how much I like her.What do you know, it does pay to expand your mind and read something unknown.

Although the book is incredibly small (the price is great though)Walker, in a speech on September 22nd to the Midwives Alliance of North America, is able to articulate her beliefs and give her take on the ways that we as a human race can deal with tragedy and violence in the world today.

I was slightly confused by some of the sections (maybe just not focused or maybe needs a second reading) but I feel that I was able to receive her message more or less.She feels that people don't feel connected or welcome in society and are unable to give voice to their concerns or anger in a acceptable manner.She also believes that a major source of violence today is caused by people who feel unloved.Therefore, the best way to fight anger or violence is with love.

I personally feel that this may be to simple of an answer, but I would like it to be the correct one.The world would be a better place if everyone shared some of Walker's beliefs.

I would like to give it five stars, but like I stated earlier, I found it confusing at times and difficult to fully comprehend.Like a great poem, maybe it will take on more significance with further readings. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Personal stories about animals by women
The following is from the cover review and lists the authors.I agree with what is said and enjoy the writers from the anthology.Inspired writing.
Through Other Eyes Animal Stories by Women, edited by Irene Zahava.
From cover: "This collection of beautifully written stories will be valued by anyone who feels kinship with the natural world, and realizes that our destinies and those of the beings called animals are intertwined.The authors of this perceptive anthology see animals not only as dignified and independent, but also as valuable teachers for us all.
In the moment of profound connection between animal and human, the human has an opportunity to know the world in a new, meaningful way and learn a valuable lesson in humility.In that innocent and magical moment, a rapport is established that transcends all barriers and restores us to ourselves."
Stories by: Cathy Cockrell, Lou V. Crabtree, Annie Dillard, Dian Fossey, Sally Miller Gearhart, Keri Hulme, Sarah Orne Jewett, Janet Kauffman, Ursula K. LeGuin, Doris Lessing, Beryl Markham, Diane McPherson, Yvonne Pepin, Lou Robinson, Meredith Rose, May Sarton, Alice Walker, and Martha Waters. ... Read more

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dull
I was rather diappointed in this collection.A few of the poems are very nice, but overall the work is bland and dull.The language is so pedestrian.This seems like a real half-hearted attempt at writing.I amsure Walker can do better.

Wonderful!!!!!!
All I can say is wonderful!!! This is one of my very favorite books. Being white,I have not always been as non-racist as I should have. This book will make you look at things in a whole new way, as Alice Walker explores herfeelings of Africa, Love, Poetry, Predujust, and the leftover tears ofblacks. Hold on. Surely the Earth can be saved for us who insist on love. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

One of the best books ever written by anyone from the usa
A fantastic book.
Thought provoking.
Inspiring.
Radical.
Doubly inspiring.
You can learn more about US history from this book than from any textbook I've seen.
A real people's perspective which resulted from living a hard life.
Even someone under the age of 13 could read it.
I truly amazing person.
Agnes Smedley had a basic and deep understanding of society - truly the daughter of earth..............
read it!

Excellent Book---Highly Recommended
Though I have since made a career change, I realized, as I read this book for the umpteenth time a few weeks ago, it was one of the driving forces in my decision to become a counselor.Many times I have seen in families, the battered women and children I've worked with and counseled, the need to love and be loved, to not be lonely. We are told that we will become more lovable as we choose the right clothes, perfume, shampoo, even toothpaste!The list of products, guaranteeing that we will have would-be lovers banging at our door, that we will never be lonely as long as we buy these products is endless.Our media-oriented society measures lovability by: popularity, sex-appeal, the right clothes and products.Living by these standards alone makes us lonely, especially if we can't live up to them.These standards are only masks, hiding us from not only our inner selves, but those of others as well.

Marie, the main character in the book "Daughter of Earth" struggles with her loneliness.She wants what we all want - to be loved and not have to prove that we are adequate enough to be loved. "Marie lives out her whole life struggling to act as a whole person - to give and receive love in a relationship of equality - and to work against oppression - despite the image that inhabits her imagination."

From a very young age, Marie learned of the world's contradictions.She learned how devalued women were, "that even male animals cost more than female animals and seemed more valuable; that male fowls cost more than females and were chosen with more care."With the birth of her little brother, Marie realized how important a son was for there was much celebration as cigars and whiskey were passed around.She also saw how the lives of those in poverty were worthless and that "the companies" these people worked for only cared about the profit they were making rather than the lives and safety of their employees."Coal was dear...life was cheap."

As Marie watched married women around her, she realized that the "love expressed in sex enslaves and humiliates" them."It is the toll men exact for giving economic protection to their wives.The weeping of wives - what is more bitter?"She sees women become powerless as wives and mothers and she in turn seeks a relationship that is equal in giving and receiving love.She does not want to be like the women in her childhood that have lost the power to make their own choices.

In two relationships, Marie thinks she has found the equality she's been looking for. However, in the end it is not even so: "To her comes the memory of many women who have loved, suffered and remained true to the one man who did not love or remain true to them; to her comes the memory of a man who betrayed many good women for the sake of the one woman who detested and was cruel to him.She thinks of the great loves that seem to have been great because they were hopeless; of the night that follows the day; of love and hate that are separated by less than a hair's breadth.And she things of annihilation that irrevocably follows creation.But above all, she see that she has had to pay with her life's love for the experience for which she was least responsible."

It was through a man named Sardarji, that Marie learned what it meant to love and be loved.And through her experiences with him she learned that love means to get over who we are because of our culture, our values, or the decisions we make.Through Sardarji, Marie "touched for the first time a movement of unwavering principle and beauty...and saw that difference of race, color and creed are as shadows on the face of a stream, each lending a beauty of its own; that subjection of any kind and in any place is beneath the dignity of man..."

Sardarji taught Marie that we can't live without loving all humankind; that we must do as Sardarji told Marie: "Make conviction the basis of our actions.We must fight for what we believe in rather than fighting for something we know nothing about or for something we are told to fight for.We must think about what it means to fight.We must know what we are fighting for before we able to help and before we can enlist the help of others."

To break the vicious circle people get caught up in when they try to prove they are adequate to be loved takes knowledge.For as Marie says to Sardarji, "knowledge without love is useless."In order to love all humankind "we need to know how others suffer; and if we have already known, that we should not forget." To love without loneliness means that we need to "experience in our hearts again and again the suffering of the dispossessed."

A fictionalized autobiography
Agnes Smedley was a very interesting woman of her times. This "novel" was written during one of her many dark periods. I strongly suggest picking up one of the two biographies of her and reading some of the other books she wrote about her time spent in the Communist areas of China before the USA entered WWII. I highly recommend her "The Great Road", a biography of Chu Teh, a peasant who rose up the ranks to become China's leading general under Mao.

Lawrence Bryan
San Jose, California

Misleading
Daughter of the Earth kept me bewildered, most of the time.A good novel, in the beginning, focusing on Marie's life, her trials as a child and later as a young woman. The character portrait of Marie, left me dreading to pickup the book. Marie turned everything positive intomajor problems. Smedleycreated a very dismal portrait of her character and her connection with theterm "love" was very depressing. Not to mention "Marie"was a very self-centered person.From the middle to the end of the book Ifound the text very strange, almost robotic. It also seemed to change fromthe "story of Marie" to one of "politics in UnitedStates". I thus found the beginning of the book very misleading forthe ending.

Misleading
Daughter of the Earth kept me bewildered, most of the time.A good novel, in the beginning, focusing on Marie's life, her trials as a child and later as a young woman. The character portrait of Marie, left me dreading to pickup the book. Marie turned everything positive intomajor problems. Smedleycreated a very dismal portrait of her character and her connection with theterm "love" was very depressing. Not to mention "Marie"was a very self-centered person.From the middle to the end of the book Ifound the text very strange, almost robotic. It also seemed to change fromthe "story of Marie" to one of "politics in UnitedStates". I thus found the beginning of the book very misleading forthe ending. ... Read more