![]() ![]() ![]() Her research was broad in religion, sociology, consumer culture, as well as American religious history. The chapters can stand alone, but Lofton ties things together wonderfully in her conclusion. This is not a biography, though Oprah's confessional television offers her own biography for consumption. Spiritual experiences in Oprah's world are intimately tied to consumer purchases and personal conversions and Lofton's chapter titles provide an overview of her scholarly approach (Practicing Purchase: The Prosperity Gospel of Spiritual Capitalism Celebrity Spirit: The Incorporation of Your Best Life Diverting Conversions: The Makeover as Social Rite Preacher Queen: The Race and Gender of America's Confessor Reading Religously: The Reformations of Oprah's Book Club Missionary Gift: The Globalization of Inspiration with an excellent conclusion and pointed epilogue on the Oprahfication of Obama). As such Oprah is both unique, as product and preacher, and is an archetype for the modern religious/spiritual experience amid a world of choice. ![]() While this book at times infuriated me with its descent into theory and imprecise scholarly jargon, mainly it was a delightful examination of Oprah and her empire as a lens through which to see religion in modern America. ![]()
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