"You won't have to be a fan of Oprah to become a fan of this work. This clear-eyed analysis of Oprah Winfrey as high priestess of America's Judeo-Christian ethos celebrates Oprah's virtues and her gifts to our society; but it never once lets us confuse the uses of cultural religion with those of communal allegiance and private devotion." - Phyllis Tickle, author, commentator, and compiler of The Divine Hours
Oprah Winfrey is arguable the most well-know woman in the world today, with a world-wide reach that extends into television, magazines, movies, book publishing, and beyond. In this book, religion reporter Marcia Nelson explores the spiritual dimensions that are prevalent in all aspects of the Oprah Winfrey media empire, pointing out that there are several major Christian themes that weave through these aspects of her life and work: forgiveness, generosity, self-examintation, gratitude, and community. Nelson concludes that Oprah is a "compelling and successful spiritual teacher in spiritually eclectic and ever-practical America."
Marcia Z. Nelson writes about religion and spirituality, and her articles and book reviews have appeared in various newspapers and magazines. She is the author of the The God of Second Chances and Come and Sit: A Week Inside Meditation Centers. She lives with her husband and two children in the Chicago area.