Run Toward Fear: New Poems and a Poet's Handbook

by Haki R. Madhubuti

Run Toward Fear offers readers a mixture of poems that challenge and cause both reflection on and questioning about many headline issues that have launched this century. Madhubuti includes poignant moving tributes to Jacob Carruthers, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Amiri Baraka, as well as heartfelt words that provide comfort and guidance to the families of the 21 people who lost their lives in Chicago's E-2 nightclub tragedy. The final section of the book, ""A Poet's Handbook,"" provides personal and sometimes anecdotal insights on the craft of writing poetry.

Genres: Poetry

68 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Maleka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poems are wonderful but it's really the poet's handbook at the back that makes me give this five stars. Simply the best guidelines to follow as a writer and in your life in general. Never give up on poetry or children.

[Kristi Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haki R. Madhubuti is my poetry hero! Straight talk that reads like a revolutionary Jazz. I read this book specifically for handbook part but the poetry was the real lesson.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You may not be able to earn a living exclusively as a poet or writer, but if you persist, work hard and nurture your talent; it is almost guaranteed that you will earn a life." that's how the poet's handbook begins. i think it may be just a person's handbook, how to expand beyond yourself, how to seek peace, how to love nature and unify yourself with things that are real. his poetry is intense, but it keeps your attention. i loved how so many of these were written for a special occasion or to celebrate someone-- good on their own, but that much more meaningful when you imagined the context in which these words were read.

[Eddie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and extremely inspiring!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate to hear Madhubuti speak at the 2010 Illinois Library Conference and picked up this book. Much to recommend especially his poems celebrating others (Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks), celebrating poetry (where is the poetry of resistance/the poetry of honorable defiance) and his handbook (#21: keep an active library card).

[Seven · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it!

[Christopher K.p. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All poets should read this book.