This biography profiles one of the most influential figures in today's popular culture, taking a balanced look at Oprah's life and career. It assesses her impact on the people close to her and on the public at large, from her literary and political influences to her candour about her own mental and physical health problems. Each of these areas is well researched and narrated with an equanimity and lucidity that make this book fascinating without being sensationalist. While this concise biography is written with the student in mind, and provides an ideal research tool, the lively writing style makes it enjoyable reading for anyone interested in knowing more about a truly remarkable woman. As a resource for research, the timeline is a very helpful tool in highlighting the significant events and understanding them in their chronological context. Readers will benefit from the wealth of materials that were consulted for this project: articles from the mainstream press, scholarly studies, published and televised interviews, reference materials and internet sources.