Oprah : The Gospel of an Icon / Kathryn Lofton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lofton, Kathryn, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Celebrities.

Religion and culture--Religious aspects--United States.

Religion and culture.

Popular culture.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (304 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, CA : University of California Press, [2011]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"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.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1. Practicing Purchase: The Prosperity Gospel of a Spiritual Capitalism

Chapter 2. Celebrity Spirit: The Incorporation of Your Best Life

Chapter 3. Diverting Conversions: The Makeover as Social Rite

Chapter 4. Preacher Queen: The Race and Gender of America's Confessor

Chapter 5. Reading Religiously: The Reformations of Oprah's Book Club

Chapter 6. Missionary Gift: The Globalization of Inspiration

Conclusion

Epilogue: Political Spirituality, or the Oprahfication of Obama

Notes

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 24. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

9786613277503

9781283277501

1283277506

9780520948242

0520948246

OCLC:

701704300