Oprah - by Kathryn Lofton (Paperback)

About the Book

"Better than celebrity biographer Kitty Kelley, Kathryn Lofton exposes Oprah's secret--the religious resonance of her persona in popular culture. Brilliantly orchestrated, full of ah-ha and light-bulb moments, "Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon" takes us into the mediated spirituality, collective rituals, and everyday epiphanies of being Oprah and being in Oprah's world. If you are looking for sensationalism and scandal, read this book and find a sensational, substantial, and insightful analysis of religion and American popular culture."--David Chidester, author of "Authentic Fakes: Religion and American Popular Culture"
"Lofton manages a rare feat. This book shakes and awakens our minds, compelling us to interpret and make sense of a multifaceted woman who has become a consumer and cultural phenomenon unprecedented in American and world history."--Eva Illouz, author of "Oprah Winfrey and the Glamour of Misery: An Essay on Popular Culture"
"Lofton's "Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon" defies categorization, offering a brilliantly creative way to explore what religion is and where we look to find it. It's all here--fashion, celebrity, media, glamour, and spirituality, an analysis of the world that produced Oprah as well as the world that Oprah produces."--J. Terry Todd, Director, Center on Religion, Culture & Conflict, Drew University
"Lofton brilliantly analyzes the Oprah phenomenon in religio-historical context. "Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon" provides a new way of understanding how Oprah operates as a preacher and as a missionary in spite of the presumed secularity of her enterprises, and shows how her world successfully intertwines commerce and religion. It is a truly outstanding work."--Cynthia Eller, Montclair State University

Book Synopsis

"Today on Oprah," intoned the TV announcer, and all over America viewers tuned in to learn, empathize, and celebrate. In this book, Kathryn Lofton investigates the Oprah phenomenon and finds in Winfrey's empire--Harpo Productions, O Magazine, and her new television network--an uncanny reflection of religion in modern society. Lofton shows that when Oprah liked, needed, or believed something, she offered her audience nothing less than spiritual revolution, reinforced by practices that fuse consumer behavior, celebrity ambition, and religious idiom. In short, Oprah Winfrey is a media messiah for a secular age. Lofton's unique approach also situates the Oprah enterprise culturally, illuminating how Winfrey reflects and continues historical patterns of American religions.

From the Back Cover

"Better than celebrity biographer Kitty Kelley, Kathryn Lofton exposes Oprah's secret--the religious resonance of her persona in popular culture. Brilliantly orchestrated, full of ah-ha and light-bulb moments, Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon takes us into the mediated spirituality, collective rituals, and everyday epiphanies of being Oprah and being in Oprah's world. If you are looking for sensationalism and scandal, read this book and find a sensational, substantial, and insightful analysis of religion and American popular culture."--David Chidester, author of Authentic Fakes: Religion and American Popular Culture

"Lofton manages a rare feat. This book shakes and awakens our minds, compelling us to interpret and make sense of a multifaceted woman who has become a consumer and cultural phenomenon unprecedented in American and world history."--Eva Illouz, author of Oprah Winfrey and the Glamour of Misery: An Essay on Popular Culture

"Lofton's Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon defies categorization, offering a brilliantly creative way to explore what religion is and where we look to find it. It's all here--fashion, celebrity, media, glamour, and spirituality, an analysis of the world that produced Oprah as well as the world that Oprah produces."--J. Terry Todd, Director, Center on Religion, Culture & Conflict, Drew University

"Lofton brilliantly analyzes the Oprah phenomenon in religio-historical context. Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon provides a new way of understanding how Oprah operates as a preacher and as a missionary in spite of the presumed secularity of her enterprises, and shows how her world successfully intertwines commerce and religion. It is a truly outstanding work."--Cynthia Eller, Montclair State University

Review Quotes

"Compelling and insightful. . . . [A] thorough and fascinating work that significantly aids our understanding of religion and spirituality in postwar America."--Lerone Martin "American Studies Journal" (6/1/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon is an important addition to the study of religion in America because it takes into account the religious impact of popular media. . . . What Lofton is advocating is that popular culture contains within it people and performances that shape religion in America."--Amy Collier Artman "Journal Of Religion" (4/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

"Thoroughly researches, engagingly written, deftly weaving together major currents of US religious and cultural history, Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon will hold great interest for students and scholars in religious studies, American studies, and media and cultural studies, but Winfrey's fans may also enjoy this lively exegesis of their heroine."--Janice Peck "Journal Of American Stds" (2/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

"[Lofton's] authorial voice is, by turns, instructing, funny, ironic, snide, brilliantly analytical, undeniably astute . . . and feisty."--Mary Farrell Bednarowski "Feminist Collections" (2/20/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"A fascinating new perspective on a media icon."--Vanessa Bush "Booklist" (3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"A fascinating study of the modern-day deity's 25 years as the world's most beloved BFF, exhaustively researched and elegantly considered. Buy it for the smartest Oprah fan you know."-- "Madison" (9/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"A unique analysis of the talk queen's multimedia empire."--Shirley Bolden "B.l.a.c." (3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Budding and active scholars of cultural, popular, and religious studies will read with interest."--Jewell Anderson "Library Journal" (3/15/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"If you read it [Oprah], you won't think about the connection between religion and consumer culture the same way again."--Thomas S. Kidd "Patheos" (3/9/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Lofton's careful and engaging work is sure to warrant responses. How wonderful that this book is the one to set the stage."--Jennifer Scanlon "Journal Of American History" (12/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Makes a powerful case for viewing Oprah as a significant moment in religious culture."--Milo Yiannopoulos "Catholic Herald" (4/20/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Tantalizing."--Amy Frykholm "Christian Century" (6/28/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Vitally important, both as an addition to cultural studies in general, and a challenge to the question of how to study American religion. Not only does she break new ground in thoughtful cultural analysis of a complicated American icon, she helps to solidify the potential for a new category of interdisciplinary religious studies scholarship."--Kate Netzler "Journal Of American Culture" (9/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Kathryn Lofton is the Sarai Ribicoff Associate Professor of American Studies and Religious Studies at Yale University.