american poets

Draws on personal letters to chronicle the life of Jewish-American writer, feminist, and Zionist Emma Lazarus.

A biography of an African girl brought to New England as a slave in 1761 who became famous on both sides of the Atlantic as the first Black poet in America.

Poet Rhoda Janzen describes her life in the Mennonite church, hanging out with the Pentecostals, and her new love life.

Poet Nick Flynn describes his childhood in Massachusetts, which ended when his mother committed suicide; chronicles his years as a caseworker at a homeless shelter, where he met his absent father, a homeless, alcoholic con-man and would-be writer, for the first time; and reflects upon the parallels between their lives.

Former United States poet laureate Donald Hall reflects on his life, discussing his childhood in Connecticut, the works that influenced him, his education, his success and failures as a writer and father, his friendships, and other related topics.

Timothy Murphy chronicles the experiences he has had while working on his Minnesota farm.

Volume two of Hughes' autobiography tells of his life, travels, and adventures in the 1930s.

A biography of the life and art of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, including discussion of the development of African American consciousness and culture from the 1930s to the late 1970s.

A biography of the African American poet Langston Hughes.