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

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. Now, 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.

Nikki Giovanni is the author of several books for children, most recently ROSA, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Three of her poetry collections for adults have received NAACP Image Awards. She is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech and lives in Christiansburg, Virginia.

About Nikki Giovanni