Patricia Smith

In minute-by-minute detail, Patricia Smith tracks Hurricane Katrina as it transforms into a full-blown mistress of destruction. From August 23, 2005, the day Tropical Depression Twelve developed, through August 28 when it became a Category Five storm with its "scarlet glare fixed on the trembling crescent," to the heartbreaking aftermath, these poems evoke the horror that unfolded in New Orleans as America watched it on television. Assuming the voices of flailing politicians, the dying, their survivors, and the voice of the hurricane itself, Smith follows the woefully inadequate relief effort and stands witness to families held captive on rooftops and in the Superdome. She gives voice to the thirty-four nursing home residents who drowned in St. Bernard Parish and recalls the day after their deaths when George W. Bush accompanied country singer Mark Willis on guitar: The cowboy grins through the terrible din, *** And in the Ninth, a choking woman wails Look like this country done left us for dead. An unforgettable reminder that poetry can still be "news that stays news," Blood Dazzler is a necessary step toward national healing. Patricia Smith is the author of four previous collections of poetry, including Teahouse of the Almighty, winner of the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and the Paterson Poetry Prize. A record-setting, national poetry slam champion, she was featured in the film Slamnation, on the HBO series Def Poetry Jam, and is a frequent contributor to Harriet, the Poetry Foundation's blog. Visit her website at www.wordwoman.ws.

Arrianna lives in a world in which portals, parallel universes and travelling through space, dimension and time are for some at least everyday occurrences. Still grieving the loss of her beloved guardian grandfather Arrianna's life is further ripped apart when Theo her younger brother vanishes without a trace. His disappearance heralds the return of Kodo grandfathers mysterious friend. Kodo promises to help Arrianna. Before he can do this he must reawaken memories within her of her true ancestry with her Star family and the incredible Star Beings of Astaurias. Only they have the power to save Theo and the 'forgotten ones' from the dark forces threatening to engulf and obliterate everything standing in the way of complete Earthly and Galactic domination. The Star Council convene. Headed by Gaelun and the exotic Lady Samia a plan is formed. The mightiest shapeshifting Star Warriors unite with Gatekeepers, Star Beings, Light Beings and phenomenal power animals to wrestle back power from the hideous Slakers and their one true master of all that is Dark, Karalan. Accompanied by a small advance party made up of Kodo, Wolf, Nikolai and Yula, Arrianna sets out to rescue her brother and reclaim her future. The struggle for light begins even before they set foot on Karalan's corrupted universe. Everyone's strength, endurance and commitment is stretched to breaking point as each looks within to find the will to go on with their mission. Arrianna struggles with her own inner demons and a strange emotional dilemma. Has she the courage to fight the biggest battle of all. Will her Star Warrior be able to save her and assist her in fulfilling her destiny?

A National Poetry Series winner, chosen by Edward Sanders. "What power. Smith's poetry is all poetry. And visceral. Her poems get under the skin of their subjects. Their passion and empathy, their real worldliness, are blockbuster."-Marvin Bell "I was weeping for the beauty of poetry when I reached the end of the final poem."-Edward Sanders, National Poetry Series judge From Lollapalooza to Carnegie Hall, Patricia Smith has taken the stage as this nation's premier performance poet. Featured in the film Slamnation and on the HBO series Def Poetry Jam, Smith is back with her first book in over a decade-a National Poetry Series winner weaving passionate, bluesy narratives into an empowering, finely tuned cele-bration of poetry's liberating power.

Patricia Smith considers what a consistently liberal view of affirmative obligation would have to be in order to accommodate liberal commitments to freedom and justice and also account for longstanding issues that are central to liberal democratic society. Patricia Smith argues that taking these institutions seriously requires the rejection of atomistic individualism and, instead, the acceptance of a moderate view of social obligation.

In the 1960s, the live of black children were shaped by the glittery specter of Motown--a world of furious flash, undeniable glamour, and impossible romantic ideals. Some discovered the truth before it was too late. Others still drape their blues in the silken sounds, swirling in dimly-lit rooms in an endless, blinding slow dance. Patricia Smith, born and raised on Chicago's West Side, grew and thrived on the bright promise of Motown. Life According to Motown, the new collection by the five-time champion of Chicago's famous Uptown Poetry Slam, recounts in vivid imagery the lessons taught by and learned from Motown, as well as a thrilling collection of new works.