From Totems to Hip-hop: a Multicultural Anthology of Poetry Across the Americas 1900-2002

Brief Description: Celebrated novelist, poet, and MacArthur fellow Ishmael Reed pushes the boundaries once again in the publication of From Totems to Hip Hop--a truly all-inclusive multicultural anthology--a literary event which will finally even the playing field. This important collection synthesizes and presents broad swaths of work from poets of all races and backgrounds, as only Reed can, ranging from Gertrude Stein to Ai, from Bessie Smith to Askia Toure, from W. C. Handy to the little-known poetry of Ernest Hemingway. Through his unique position in American letters, as writer, teacher, and even publisher, Reed has an unparalleled working knowledge of many of the more marginalized voices in American poetry. This collection will reflect that unique access by including acknowledged masters as well as lesser known talents in greater variety than any previous anthology. From Totems to Hip Hop will cover American poetry from its pre-Columbian origins to the hip hop lyricists of today and, with the guidance of Reed's thoughtful and provocative introduction and headnotes, trace the remarkably rich cross-pollination which has continually occurred across racial and cultural lines. Review Quotes: "Multicultural Review", Winter 2009 "Has an excellent selection of poems in it, as well as another feature that makes it attractive to teachers"Publisher Marketing: Celebrated novelist, poet, and MacArthur fellow Ishmael Reed pushes the boundaries once again in the publication of From Totems to Hip Hopa truly all-inclusive multicultural anthologya literary event which will finally even the playing field. This important collection synthesizes and presents broad swaths of work from poets of all races and backgrounds, as only Reed can, ranging from Gertrude Stein to Ai, from Bessie Smith to Askia Toure, from W. C. Handy to the little-known poetry of Ernest Hemingway. Through his unique position in American letters, as writer, teacher, and even publisher, Reed has an unparalleled working knowledge of many of the more marginalized voices in American poetry. This collection will reflect that unique access by including acknowledged masters as well as lesser known talents in greater variety than any previous anthology. From Totems to Hip Hop will cover American poetry from its pre-Columbian origins to the hip hop lyricists of today and, with the guidance of Reeds thoughtful and provocative introduction and headnotes, trace the remarkably rich cross-pollination which has continually occurred across racial and cultural lines. Review Citations:

Booklist 12/15/2002 pg. 744 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Booklist 02/15/2003 pg. 1038 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Library Journal 04/01/2003 pg. 104 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Library Journal 04/15/2004 pg. 89 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2004 pg. 53 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2005 pg. 115 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 12/31/2008 pg. 796 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 557 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2013 pg. 958 (EAN 9781560254584, Paperback)

Booklist 02/15/2003 pg. 1038 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Black Issues Book Review 05/01/2003 pg. 59 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Ebony 06/01/2003 pg. 21 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Library Journal 04/15/2004 pg. 89 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2004 pg. 53 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2005 pg. 115 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 12/31/2008 pg. 796 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 557 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Wilson Public Library Catalog 01/01/2013 pg. 958 (EAN 9781560255000, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Reed, Ishmael Ishmael Reed is the author of over twenty-five books including Mumbo Jumbo, The Last Days of Louisiana Red, Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down and Juice!. He is also a publisher, television producer, songwriter, radio and television commentator, lecturer, and has long been devoted to exploring an alternative black aesthetic: the trickster tradition, or Neo-Hoodooism as he calls it. Founder of the Before Columbus Foundation, he taught at the University of California, Berkeley for over thirty years, retiring in 2005. In 2003, he received the coveted Otto Award for political theater.