The inspirational wisdom Oprah Winfrey shares in her monthly O., The Oprah Magazine column updated, curated, and collected for the first time in a beautiful keepsake book.
As a creative force, student of the human heart and soul, and champion of living the life you want, Oprah Winfrey stands alone. Over the years, she has made history with a legendary talk show - the highest-rated program of its kind, launched her own television network, become the nation's only African-American billionaire, and been awarded both an honorary degree by Harvard University and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. From all her experiences, she has gleaned life lessons―which, for fourteen years, she's shared in O, The Oprah Magazine's widely popular "What I Know For Sure" column, a monthly source of inspiration and revelation.
Now, for the first time, these thoughtful gems have been revised, updated, and collected in What I Know For Sure, a beautiful cloth bound book with a ribbon marker, packed with insight and revelation from Oprah Winfrey. Organized by theme―joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power―these essays offer a rare, powerful and intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of one of the world's most extraordinary women―while providing readers a guide to becoming their best selves. Candid, moving, exhilarating, uplifting, and frequently humorous, the words Oprah shares in What I Know For Sure shimmer with the sort of truth that readers will turn to again and again.
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Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader, philanthropist, producer and actress. She has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired figures today.
Winfrey oversees both the premium television network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and the print and digital content of "O, The Oprah Magazine." Winfrey also hosts “Super Soul,” featuring conversations between herself and thought leaders available on discovery+. The audio version of these conversations debuted as #1 and have been downloaded over 350 million times to date around the world in podcast form.
Winfrey is an Academy Award-nominated actress for her role in “The Color Purple,” earned critical acclaim in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and produced and acted in the Academy Award-winning film “Selma.” Winfrey starred in the Emmy nominated HBO Films “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and portrayed “Mrs. Which” in Disney’s “Wrinkle in Time” film adaptation from director Ava DuVernay.
In 2015, Winfrey joined the Weight Watchers board of directors and in 2020 launched a nationwide arena tour “Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus” featuring motivational and inspirational guest speakers. Winfrey has since hosted worldwide virtual events featuring inspirational leaders to encourage and support being on their wellness journey.
In 2017, her cookbook “Food, Health and Happiness: 115 On Point Recipes for Great Meals and a Better Life” and “Wisdom of Sundays” both debuted as #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List under her personal book imprint “An Oprah Book.” in 2020, the imprint published Alicia Key's memoir "More Myself," along with debut author Emmanuel Acho's "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man."
In 2018, Oprah partnered with Apple for a multi-year content partnership to create original programs that will embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world. Winfrey’s projects, including Oprah’s Book Club are part of a lineup of original content from Apple. “Oprah Talks: COVID-19” launched in March 2020 to discuss the impact of the pandemic.
Winfrey is also a dedicated philanthropist. During a December 2002 visit with Nelson Mandela, she pledged to build a school in South Africa and has contributed more than $200 million towards providing education for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Graduates of the school have continued on to higher education both in South Africa and at colleges and universities around the world. In 2019, Ms. Winfrey made a donation to Morehouse College in support of her Morehouse Scholars Program to bring her total donation to men’s education to $20 million. Additionally, Winfrey is a founding donor of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. In June of 2018, the museum opened “Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture,” an exhibit exploring Winfrey’s life and her talk show’s impact featuring artifacts from the set, costumes from her movies and interactive interviews. In March 2020, she committed $12 million to COVID-19 relief efforts in underserved communities in her “home cities” of Chicago, Milwaukee, Kosciusko, Mississippi and Baltimore.
In 2013, Winfrey was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2018, she was honored with the Cecil B deMille award by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
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Top reviews from the United States
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is Oprah’s "vanity" book- namely her talking about mostly superficial topics with some feel good things thrown in. No offense to people who liked this book, but the complexity of the ideas in this book are at a very low level (maybe that's always been the key to Oprah's success). This could’ve been condensed into a 2 page magazine article and it would’ve been just as substantive. Unless you enjoy paying money to feed Oprah without any discernible return, avoid this book. If you enjoy deeper ideas, this definitely is not your book.
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2018
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This book has become a staple in our household that I have gifted, and re-gifted to so many people!
If you are interested, the audio version of the book if read by Oprah herself, and gives you a different take on what she's emphasizing through each lesson.
I recommend you read this book one lesson at a time and keep re-reading it for a few days until you've caught on to what she's trying to teach. That way you can really internalize the book and enjoy it throughout the entire year.
I love it so much, that it has become a routine to read this book at least once a year and it's cheaper on Amazon then anywhere else I've been able to find so far.
If you are interested, the audio version of the book if read by Oprah herself, and gives you a different take on what she's emphasizing through each lesson.
I recommend you read this book one lesson at a time and keep re-reading it for a few days until you've caught on to what she's trying to teach. That way you can really internalize the book and enjoy it throughout the entire year.
I love it so much, that it has become a routine to read this book at least once a year and it's cheaper on Amazon then anywhere else I've been able to find so far.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bought this book after reading amazing reviews about it on Amazon. I really wanted to like this book, but it was just a bunch of small stories..........But I already read so many blogs/articles with similar stories that I just could not find anything new. I couldn't finish the book beyond the first 30% of it.
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
Oprah has been one of my heroes since I was a kid (especially after finding out we are the same ENFJ personality type). I always admired her ability to listen and connect with someone and I see that intimacy in each of her interviews even today. This book is a compilation of a column out of the O magazine, called What I Know for Sure. I am sure that it is a great column in the magazine but I can tell you it's better as a collection. My only regret about reading this is that I read it too fast. Most chapters are worth absorbing again because of how thought provoking and profound they are. Oprah manages to always be insightful and instructive by way of her candid openness that prevents her from coming across as preachy or audacious even though she is very spiritual. I needed a lot of her positive energy about the general good that exists (found in the little things) and that how we are all in this together, and there is no "us vs. them." In some ways this book honors its back cover and is very much a fire lighter but at the same time convinces the reader to take time to heal - to aim - before firing the arrow.
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
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I read this for my book club, consisting of women aged 60 and up. We all agreed that this offered very little in inspiration; I mean, if you've lived this long, there are no revelations here! I realize Oprah is a self-made woman with much charity and kindness, but much is not "relatable" to the average bear . . . Maya Angelou called me with her latest poem! Feeling down? I'll just fly to Hawaii to the house I built on a hillside and watch the sunset! This went straight to the library sale donation pile. I did like the attached ribbon bookmark; I didn't finish the book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2017
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First of all, it's Oprah. Second of all, her beliefs, sentiments, vulnerability and achievements are what we all have inside of us in some fashion. Bottom line, we all hold the power. She in reality is not anymore special than you and me, it's the good intentions you put out into the world that elevates you to greatness. The book reminds you of this. I strongly recommend the audio version. Her narration is perfect.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
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The advise seems too simplistic. I did appreciate her telling about her background. She seems to realize that she is not perfect and she is "speaking " to people who have many imperfections too. I admire her very much and know she helps people of all races and conditions. Her advice affects us all.
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
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This is such a great “cup filler” book! I was looking for a book to read at night before bed that would be a sort of non-religious devotional, and this fits the bill. So much of what she says hits home for me. The physical book itself is superb, as well. I love the woven style cover and the rough pages; it even comes with a ribbon bookmark attached to the spine. Beautiful cover-to-cover!
Top reviews from other countries
Anne Duff
Rather 'samey'
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2019Verified Purchase
mikki100
Profound
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2018Verified Purchase
LJBentley
An interesting life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2020Verified Purchase
Jayne Allen
I'm grateful I read this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2017Verified Purchase
Nina Opps
The book I didn't want to end
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2018Verified Purchase
