This gifted storyteller poignantly shares the memories of those mentors and teachers who profoundly influenced her life. She speaks of her voluntary muteness as a child. Even in this silence, "Mama" (Angelou's grandmother) spoke prophetically to the child's unbelieving ears: "You'll speak about the glorious nature of the human spirit and what we can be striving for." Dr. Maya Angelou is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer, and director, she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom. Angelou is the author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Bantam 1971) , All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (Random House 1986) , Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (Random House 1997) , and Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes (Random House 2007) .
