WHERE HAS OPRAH TAKEN US PB [Hardcover]

This is the story of Oprah's life, the good, the bad and the ugly. Beginning with the truths of her birth, chaotic upbringing and also a look into the many blessings that she has had that aren't often mentioned by her. The story also takes the reader through all the things that were at work in the United States culture and religion as she was growing up . Once she was a professed believer in Jesus Christ and then you begin to see some of the things that shaped her turn to making her own "religion". Its a heady (pun intended) blend of "me, myself and I " and also pieces of other religions. It also shows the many good things that she has accomplished but also the startling, almost frightening influence that she has wielded.

I rated this book as a "must read "because Stephen Mansfield, has done his homework. There is a lot of information in his book but it is necessary to build the case for truth. He was fair, clearly showing when something he wrote was his insight; which I found very interesting in the way he did it. Personally for me, quite a long time back I sensed the shift with Oprah; and came to the conclusion that she no longer believed in Jesus, as the Only Way. This book has brought facts to what I had suspected; which is sad but also confirms what was being discerned. She has become the High Priestess of Everything not Jesus. Scary for her and for those that are following her. Especially for any Christians who are not discerning the truth. The author says in the ending chapter that there is a grand nobility to the Oprah Winfrey story. And (it is his hope that ) it may yet be nobler still. That is my hope too.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Disclaimer: I have never watched an Oprah episode.

Still, I could relate to this book in many ways.

While certain facets are a mixture of annoying and charming (Stephen Mansfield ends each chapter with an italicized section in which he permits himself greater liberty to express his evangelical Christian interpretation of the material in his preceding chapter), on a whole he asks the probing questions about the impact of someone of Oprah's influence publicly embracing and promoting the New Age spiritual belief systems of today. He also provides a detailed overview of these belief systems which permeate our culture. He looks at the roots of these systems of thought and how ancient religions have been warped and Americanized in order to be marketed.

In so many ways, my ignorance of Oprah notwithstanding, I felt I was traveling over well-worn land due to my own background with this type of new age spirituality. I know full well the depression, anxiety, apathy, and narcissism it both caused and required. As a reference and overview of "where we are going," this book is good reading. It also points to the epistemological disaster that results from a cheap education combined with cheap information.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Sometimes I think that, were it not for famous people, some authors would have nothing to write about. But, then again, I suppose every author is writing about someone. Even if that someone is fictional, that character still holds traits and characteristics of someone real in the life of the author. In "Where Has Oprah Taken Us," Stephen Mansfield takes the reader on a journey through the life of Oprah Winfrey, focusing primarily on the evolution of her spirituality, with respect to the spiritual climate of the United States at various times in Oprah's life. Mansfield discusses the major challenges and difficulties Oprah faced throughout her life, and worked to explain how these challenges led Oprah to make certain life choices, and grasp onto certain spiritual beliefs.

The author described many of the religious "phases" that the United States evolved through, and at the end of each chapter of the book, Mansfield would describe his own personal opinions and beliefs of those phases, how they affected Oprah Winfrey's beliefs, and then in turn how Oprah's beliefs affected the American public. I found the historical information about various religions and cults quite interesting. However, I felt that many of the author's conclusions, with respect to how various cultural and spiritual "fads" may have affected Oprah, to be a bit of a stretch.

In the introduction to "Where Has Oprah Taken Us," Mansfield does emphasize that he is viewing and analyzing all of the book's material through the lens of a Christian. I, too, am a Christian, but felt that rather than being a Christian's take on the spirituality of one of the most famous women in history, the book was rather a parasitic critique of a woman who has tried very hard to be philanthropic and generous, and who is, like so many of us, trying to understand her own spiritual heart, and connect more closely with God. In describing the very worst and most deviant beliefs and mistakes of many of the people Oprah has seen as spiritual mentors, the author seemed to be saying that Oprah, too, held some of those beliefs, and that she would agree with everything any of her mentors did or said. There was no room left for allowing Oprah to accept some things and dismiss others. As for me, there are many individuals that I hold in high regard. However, that does not mean that I agree with every single thing those individuals have done or said. I believe that is most likely true of the majority of us--we agree with and appreciate most things about our role models, but there are things about them, or things they've said, that we don't agree with.

I do agree with the author in that I believe that many of Oprah's spiritual conclusions and beliefs are at odds with one another, and I also believe that her beliefs at times are often immature. But, that being said, I also believe that the majority of us who are on a spiritual journey fall victim to the same issues. I know I do. Not one of us has it all figured out. We are all a hodge-podge of religious, cultural, and spiritual ideas. No two of us believe the exact same thing on EVERY spiritual question. Yes, many of us may agree on certain things, but not all of us agree on everything. And not one of us has all the answers.

I did enjoy reading the book, and learned a great deal about religious and cultural history of the United States from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. It was a very easy read. However, I disagree with many of the author's assertions, and would rather the book had been a bit more objective. If he had left out the section in each chapter where he emphasized his personal interpretation of Oprah's beliefs and actions, I would have seen the author as more credible. I would rather he left the interpretations and conclusions up to the reader. I would have enjoyed the book much more if it had been an objective biography, rather than a moral expose'.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers, through their Booksneeze.com blogger reviewer program. I was not required to give a positive review. The opinions stated here are strictly my own.