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The third volume of Maya Angelou's autobiography begins with an ill-starred marriage to a Greek man, then follows her career in showbusiness. The latter half records her impressions on a tour of Europe and Egypt with the show Porgy and Bess:

The year was 1954, only a decade since their country [Italy] had been defeated by my country in a war fought for racial reasons as well as economic ones. And, after all, Joe Louis, whom the man seemed so proud to mention, had beaten an Italian, Primo Carnera. I thought my acceptance at the restaurant had been a telling show of the great heart of the Italian people. I hadn't been in Europe long enough to know that Europeans often made as clear a distinction between black and white Americans as did the most confirmed Southern bigot. The difference, I was to discover, was that more often than not, blacks were liked, whereas white Americans were not.

Angelou's writing continues to be highly engaging, both personal and historically fascinating. Her enthusiasm for life and keen observation thereof make her autobiography a great read.