On My Journey Now: Looking at African-American History Through the Spirituals

Description

With the passion of a poet and the knowledge of a historian, Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Africans in America through the glorious words of spirituals. Ever since she was a little girl attending three different churches, poet Nikki Giovanni has loved the spirituals. With the passion of a poet and the knowledge of a historian, she paints compelling portraits of the lives of her ancestors through the words of songs such as "Go Down, Moses" and "Ain't Got Time to Die," celebrating a people who overcame enslavement and found a way to survive, to worship, and to build. Back matter includes a glossary, a bibliography, source notes, recommended recordings, an index of song titles, and an index.

The intimate, unpretentious talk about familiar songs will grab readers who want to find out more about the inspiring history. -Booklist (starred review)