Report an issue
Tell us what's wrong and we'll take a look.
Thanks – we got it. We'll review and follow up if needed.
"If there was a need for poetry that galvanized and inspired, there was also a demand for poetry that comforted and unified — and Ms. Giovanni provided on both counts." — The Washington Post
What happens when a legendary poet turns her unflinching gaze on love, politics, and the soul of America?
- Blues and Jazz Rhythms: Experience poems infused with the syncopated soul of Billie Holiday and Miles Davis, where every line tells a story and every verse sings a truth.
- Unflinching Social Commentary: From the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement to the sharp injustices of the modern day, Giovanni’s voice cuts through the noise with clarity and fire.
- Deeply Personal Poems: Journey with Giovanni through intimate moments—a battle with cancer, the memory of family, and the profound connection found in watching a baby robin learn to fly.
- The African American Experience: A powerful exploration of Black life, history, and resilience, celebrating figures from Jackie Robinson to Tupac Shakur with love and complexity.
Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024), poet, activist, mother, grandmother, and educator, grew up in Tennessee and Ohio and graduated with honors from Fisk University in Nashville. The author of over thirty books, she was also the recipient of seven NAACP Image Awards, the Langston Hughes Medal for Outstanding Poetry, the Frost Medal, as well as thirty-one honorary degrees and an Emmy Award. She garnered her most unusual honor in 2007 when a South American bat species—Micronycteris giovanniae—was named in celebration of her. A devoted teacher and honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she spent thirty-five years as University Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
More by Nikki Giovanni
Why Readwise Books?
Readwise Books is an ebook & audiobook platform that automatically logs how much you and your friends read, making it fun and easy to read more. Learn more →