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The Best of Oprah's What I Know For Sure
A supplement to O, The Oprah Magazine.
96 pages
First published January 1, 2005
26 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Oprah Winfrey
111 books5,446 followersOprah Gail Winfrey, also known mononymously as Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, which ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011. Dubbed the "Queen of All Media", she was the richest African-American of the 20th century and was once the world's only black billionaire. By 2007, she was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world.
Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a single teenage mother and later raised in inner-city Milwaukee. She has stated that she was molested during her childhood and early teenage years and became pregnant at 14; her son was born prematurely and died in infancy. Winfrey was then sent to live with the man she calls her father, Vernon Winfrey, a barber in Nashville, Tennessee, and landed a job in radio while still in high school. By 19, she was a co-anchor for the local evening news. Winfrey's often emotional, extemporaneous delivery eventually led to her transfer to the daytime talk show arena, and after boosting a third-rated local Chicago talk show to first place, she launched her own production company.
Credited with creating a more intimate, confessional form of media communication, Winfrey popularized and revolutionized the tabloid talk show genre pioneered by Phil Donahue. By the mid-1990s, Winfrey had reinvented her show with a focus on literature, self-improvement, mindfulness, and spirituality. Though she has been criticized for unleashing a confession culture, promoting controversial self-help ideas, and having an emotion-centered approach, she has also been praised for overcoming adversity to become a benefactor to others. Winfrey also emerged as a political force in the 2008 presidential race, with her endorsement of Barack Obama estimated to have been worth about one million votes during the 2008 Democratic primaries. In the same year, she formed her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). In 2013, Winfrey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Then in October, she finished the Marine Corps Marathon in less than four and a half hours. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from multiple universities. Winfrey has won many awards throughout her career, including 19 Daytime Emmy Awards (including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman's Award), two Primetime Emmy Awards (including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award), a Tony Award, a Peabody Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award awarded by the Academy Awards, in addition to two competitive Academy Award nominations. Winfrey was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.
Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a single teenage mother and later raised in inner-city Milwaukee. She has stated that she was molested during her childhood and early teenage years and became pregnant at 14; her son was born prematurely and died in infancy. Winfrey was then sent to live with the man she calls her father, Vernon Winfrey, a barber in Nashville, Tennessee, and landed a job in radio while still in high school. By 19, she was a co-anchor for the local evening news. Winfrey's often emotional, extemporaneous delivery eventually led to her transfer to the daytime talk show arena, and after boosting a third-rated local Chicago talk show to first place, she launched her own production company.
Credited with creating a more intimate, confessional form of media communication, Winfrey popularized and revolutionized the tabloid talk show genre pioneered by Phil Donahue. By the mid-1990s, Winfrey had reinvented her show with a focus on literature, self-improvement, mindfulness, and spirituality. Though she has been criticized for unleashing a confession culture, promoting controversial self-help ideas, and having an emotion-centered approach, she has also been praised for overcoming adversity to become a benefactor to others. Winfrey also emerged as a political force in the 2008 presidential race, with her endorsement of Barack Obama estimated to have been worth about one million votes during the 2008 Democratic primaries. In the same year, she formed her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). In 2013, Winfrey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Then in October, she finished the Marine Corps Marathon in less than four and a half hours. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from multiple universities. Winfrey has won many awards throughout her career, including 19 Daytime Emmy Awards (including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman's Award), two Primetime Emmy Awards (including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award), a Tony Award, a Peabody Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award awarded by the Academy Awards, in addition to two competitive Academy Award nominations. Winfrey was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 9, 2009
This book is a collection of editorials written by Oprah and published in the "What I Know For Sure" section of her magazine every month. She tells stories about her past, and imparts wisdom, tears and smiles. Every one of these entries could be a Hallmark card, but not in the corny way, more in the way that they're things you want to tell those you care about (including yourself!), but never had the words/strength to do it. She's not the greatest writer or anything, but she's genuine and even though we couldn't be more different, I find myself completely relating to her.
My favorite entry is from August 2001 and it tells the story of how her and Gayle (her bff/bf), came to be. She goes on to talk about having a best friend and what it has meant to her. Here's an excerpt: "For every new level of success I achieve, you can believe she's somewhere in the background, cheering louder and smiling broader than anyone else. Sometimes I feel like Gayle is the better part of myself-the part that says, 'No matter what, I'm here for you.'" Makes me cry every time.
My favorite entry is from August 2001 and it tells the story of how her and Gayle (her bff/bf), came to be. She goes on to talk about having a best friend and what it has meant to her. Here's an excerpt: "For every new level of success I achieve, you can believe she's somewhere in the background, cheering louder and smiling broader than anyone else. Sometimes I feel like Gayle is the better part of myself-the part that says, 'No matter what, I'm here for you.'" Makes me cry every time.
February 7, 2023
Loved this book from beginning to end. Very inspirational and on point. I took the book out from the library but I am going to purchase a copy for myself as its a great book to open when you need to feel good about life. I am a big fan of Ms. Winfrey, I believe this is because she is smart and fearless.
December 12, 2016
Huge amount of positivity in this book. It shows that no matter where you are in life in terms of age, financials and success... at the end, the way you measure things is in your mind. You can be wealthy but feel poor, you can be young but live old and you can reach the highest levels of success but still not happy.
Life is a bunch of options, its your responsibility to make the right choice
Life is a bunch of options, its your responsibility to make the right choice
July 13, 2024
We doesn't want to learn from Oprah????
October 10, 2017
I'm not good in writing skills but I'll try to review this book by the best way I can.
I had never seen a show of Oprah but I heard about her by American's Movies. After read this book, I known why she so famous. She's a woman that knowing for sure how to love herself, how to make herself happy. She have enjoy every moment of her life even when she going to be 50 or 60. She know that the life is invaluable and she'll enjoy it with all of her passion, her time with her friends and family. She believe in the God and want to know all about him(or her).
And I gonna read this book again to make sure that I won't miss any thing in it and then review it another time.
I had never seen a show of Oprah but I heard about her by American's Movies. After read this book, I known why she so famous. She's a woman that knowing for sure how to love herself, how to make herself happy. She have enjoy every moment of her life even when she going to be 50 or 60. She know that the life is invaluable and she'll enjoy it with all of her passion, her time with her friends and family. She believe in the God and want to know all about him(or her).
And I gonna read this book again to make sure that I won't miss any thing in it and then review it another time.
July 11, 2017
thoughtful and a good reminder of what's actually worthwhile in life. Too many examples were from a lifestyle beyond my imagination, but the truths imparted are undeniable.
October 2, 2015
Listened to the audio book and was fascinated by her skills. She really makes you feel that life works at all levels, but my question will always be that she acheived success and say what she feels. What about the multitude of people who live life and face their day to day struggles with dignity and courage and can never be the celebrity that she is
Anyway a good audio book and she does make you feel that life is beautiful!
Anyway a good audio book and she does make you feel that life is beautiful!
May 24, 2009
"Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance." -Oprah
August 16, 2014
I really do adore Oprah!
March 31, 2015
Enjoyed this-easy to follow, understand and apply.
June 30, 2017
A short book with a lot of Oprah's wisdom about life. Love yourself first.
January 20, 2026
« Devenez le changement sur vous désirez… », « si tu veux réussir excelle », « tout ce que tu peux faire ou rêve de faire, commence-le », « il n’y a pas d’eux, il n’y a que des nous », « si nous parvenez à conquérir vos peurs, vous prendrez votre envol », « usez d’amour envers vous-même et les autres, et voyez cet amour vous être rendu ». …
"Become the change you desire...", "If you want to succeed, excel", "Whatever you can do or dream of doing, start doing it", "There are no them, only us", "If you conquer your fears, you will take flight", "Love yourself and others, and see that love returned to you". ...
"Become the change you desire...", "If you want to succeed, excel", "Whatever you can do or dream of doing, start doing it", "There are no them, only us", "If you conquer your fears, you will take flight", "Love yourself and others, and see that love returned to you". ...
December 16, 2020
So many juicy little nuggets of wisdom delivered as only Oprah can... she shares her journey in life without censorship... her truth telling about her trials and tribulations throughout her life endears us to her ... We can relate to many of her stories she shares with us in this wonderful little book. To be ok with who you are and able to tell your story allows us to all share from our hearts.. Thank you Oprah - such a wise and wonderful woman!
May 15, 2021
"If it's true what Maya Angelou says, that the 50s represent everything you were meant to be, all I can say is, watch out."
Thank you to my mother for finding this little book of wisdom and thinking of me.
Thank you to my mother for finding this little book of wisdom and thinking of me.
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August 28, 2022This was a quick read that reminded me how much I miss the O magazine now that I no longer get it IRL.
O moss having quick, positive reads, and wish the magazine was able to be read and enjoyed without subscrribing to a lof of other online "services"
O moss having quick, positive reads, and wish the magazine was able to be read and enjoyed without subscrribing to a lof of other online "services"
November 18, 2017
Beautiful.
January 19, 2025
« Ce dont je suis certaine » n’est ni un roman ni une biographie, mais un véritable trésor de sagesse, d’ambition, de courage et d’espoir.
Pas de grandes théories complexes ici : Oprah Winfrey partage avec sincérité des leçons tirées de son propre vécu. Ses réflexions, empreintes d’honnêteté et de bienveillance, offrent une source d’inspiration accessible et profondément réconfortante. Ce qui m’a particulièrement marquée, c’est sa confiance inébranlable dans la vie, qui a su m’insuffler une dose d’optimisme.
En plus, le livre est structuré de façon remarquable, avec des chapitres clairs et bien définis, rendant la lecture fluide et agréable.
Une lecture qui fait du bien à l’âme et saura toucher celles et ceux en quête de sens, de croissance ou simplement d’un peu de réconfort. Un véritable coup de cœur !
Pas de grandes théories complexes ici : Oprah Winfrey partage avec sincérité des leçons tirées de son propre vécu. Ses réflexions, empreintes d’honnêteté et de bienveillance, offrent une source d’inspiration accessible et profondément réconfortante. Ce qui m’a particulièrement marquée, c’est sa confiance inébranlable dans la vie, qui a su m’insuffler une dose d’optimisme.
En plus, le livre est structuré de façon remarquable, avec des chapitres clairs et bien définis, rendant la lecture fluide et agréable.
Une lecture qui fait du bien à l’âme et saura toucher celles et ceux en quête de sens, de croissance ou simplement d’un peu de réconfort. Un véritable coup de cœur !
Currently reading
September 8, 2014Such an inspiration! I love her bold personality! She is the queen of talkshow I remember watching her shows and in certain episodes I laughed because of her jokes. Sometimes she looks at her old self and says something funny about it. She makes funny expressions. She is just adorable! I adore herrrrrrr <3
May 4, 2016
Loved it. Very insightful and informative on Oprah's way of thinking and how she moves forward with life. A lot of information on other books/people to read/listen to (music) through her examples and quotes. Not preachy. definite food for thought
July 3, 2011
Liked it! Guess I'll read it again!
........And I did!!!!! :D
........And I did!!!!! :D
March 27, 2019
This book is beautifully put together and every chapter had a story and a lesson. I love Oprah and her message is always comes with love and courage.
July 5, 2013
Incredible
November 29, 2014
Inspiring! Just a little preachy but, one of my favourite reads all year
September 6, 2014
Kind of book you want to savor. Love the way Oprah describes a spiritual life.
January 2, 2015
I like Oprah and I think she has done and continues to do a lot of good with her cash. What I know for sure is that wouldn't it be nice to have a beach house in Hawaii...
October 16, 2015
Short supplement to Oprah's magazine...quotes, stories, and insight on loving a full life.
March 23, 2016
Very enlightening and encouraging. I enjoyed this book and Oprah's wisdom.
August 1, 2016
It is such a great book :)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews