Elizabeth Alexander

" In THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Elizabeth Alexander--poet, mother, and wife--finds herself at an existential crossroads after the sudden death of her husband, who was just 49. Reflecting with gratitude on the exquisite beauty of her married life that was, grappling with the subsequent void, and feeling a re-energized devotion to her two teenage sons, Alexander channels her poetic sensibilities into a rich, lucid prose that describes a very personal and...

"In the midst of civil unrest in the summer of 2020 following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, one of the great literary voices of our time, Elizabeth Alexander, wrote a moving reflection on the psyche of young Black America, turning a mother's eye to her sons' generation. Originally published in the New Yorker, the essay brilliantly and lovingly observed the lives and attitudes of young people who even as children could...

"In our tumultuous cultural and political climate, many Americans are finding hope and meaning in poetry and inspirational quotes, as noted by numerous media outlets such as The Atlantic, The Guardian, and NPR, and as evidenced by the frequent posting of poetry online. Like many of us, the editors at Spiegel & Grau were inspired by the shared poems, and put together this collection of poems and words for difficult times. Contributors include Maya...

"Andrew Carnegie wrote 'The Gospel of Wealth' in 1889, during the height of the Gilded Age, when 4,000 American families controlled almost as much wealth as the rest of the country combined. His essay laid the foundation for modern philanthropy. Today, we find ourselves in a new Gilded Age--defined by levels of inequality that surpass those of Carnegie's time. The widening chasm between the advantaged and the disadvantaged demands our immediate attention,...