Oprah » (New Edition)

Oprah Winfrey is arguably 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 The Gospel According to Oprah Marcia Nelson explores the spiritual dimensions that are prevalent in all aspects of the Oprah Winfrey media empire, including several major Christian themes woven throughout her life and work: forgiveness, generosity, gratitude and community.

Publishers Weekly

Oprah Winfrey is inspirational, but does she really proclaim the "gospel," meaning literally, "good news"? Nelson says yes, and counts the ways. The best-known female talk show host in the world is a "reminder service of... values," a font of self-help advice and a vision of humanity, says Nelson, a freelance religion writer (Come and See). She praises Oprah for using her entertainment pulpit to promote such positive spiritual values as gratitude, empathy, forgiveness and self-examination. Best of all, Oprah does it with plain talk. Nelson says another secret to Oprah's broad appeal in the marketplace for TV ratings is that she never gets too specific on matters religious or political. After painting a glowing portrait of Ms. O, you may wonder, is there anything about Oprah and her media empire that isn't "good news" to Nelson? "The almost compulsive excess of it all." Nelson notes that Oprah's emphasis on constant self-improvement encourages an "unquenchable desire" for success. Oprah didn't authorize this lively and information-packed book, but she may one day wish she had. Her fans will love it and her detractors may even lighten up enough to appreciate Oprah and her influence after reading it. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.