9780062931351
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Just as I Am audiobook

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Just as I Am Audiobook Summary

“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” -President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony

Just As I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. Here, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and mother, a sister, and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by His hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” –Cicely Tyson

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Just as I Am Audiobook Narrator

Cicely Tyson is the narrator of Just as I Am audiobook that was written by Cicely Tyson

Cecily Tyson, Oscar(r) nominee, ACE winner, three-time Emmy winner, lecturer, activist and humanitarian, is one of the most respected and honored talents in American theater and film.

About the Author(s) of Just as I Am

Cicely Tyson is the author of Just as I Am

More From the Same

Just as I Am Full Details

Narrator Cicely Tyson
Length 16 hours 8 minutes
Author Cicely Tyson
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date January 26, 2021
ISBN 9780062931351

Subjects

The publisher of the Just as I Am is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Biography & Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts

Additional info

The publisher of the Just as I Am is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062931351.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Bree

February 02, 2021

‘Just walking through this life as a Black person, and actually surviving that, was and still is an ovation worthy performance.’I’m so in awe of what I just read and the timeliness of its release. Cicely Tyson is a Giant. She’s timeless. The concept of time is so crazy; here is a woman who was stirring a pot of sauce one moment and on the floor crying because she’d learned that Dr. Martin Luther King had been assassinated in Memphis and Also got to see President Barack Obama become the first black President of the United States, was even given an award by him. One of those amazing memoirs by someone who has seen ALOT! ‘When someone sees you headed in a direction, and that person throws a brick in the road, that is the precise moment to forge onward, with greater velocity, toward your destination.’Just As I Am is told so coolly and with such Grace. I really think it’s a must read!

#AskMissPatience

January 17, 2022

Bought this Hardcover version on 1/26/21 while Ms. Tyson was being interviewed by Gayle King. As soon as I heard Ms. Tyson published Just As I Am: A Memoir in the course of her speaking immediately purchased the book to read and be a reviewer.When I found out she passed away today before the book arrived have been mourning and reflecting. She’s been someone I've admired for many reasons. Not just as a star.Why I am so interested in the book is for her perspective on life. I'm in my mid-fifties and am contemplating the rest of my days. What can I do now to continue striving for the best?Before jumping on here to do an unusually different review, prereading, downloaded the audible version to start today and finish by tomorrow. Since it's an evening I'm not going to be able to stay up long enough to finish.Narrated by Viola Davis, Cecily Tyson herself, and Robin Miles.OH MY GOODNESS. As if Viola Davis is not enough as the narrator. This Queen of empathy and overcoming so much is one of my heroes for personal reasons. Ms. Tyson's is also reading. I’m not certain why I'm surprised. I've never been SO EXCITED to listen to a book. Robin Miles is topping off this trio narrating. I'm just blown away. Being able to hear Ms. Tyson speak her truth will be one of the greatest moments in my literary life. Upon leaving the earth from her body less than 24 hours ago, Ms. Tyson has left me her spirit. Who she truly is. To listen, know, and learn from in ways I can only imagine. Always admiring her for grace and poise as an actress. Her presence always drew me in. Ms. Tyson I truly didn't want you to go quite yet. I know no one wanted you to ever go. Since you have chosen this time, thank you for leaving your voice with this work. I will cherish these moments with you for the rest of my life. Thank you for being such a brave gift. I hope to aspire to be more upon hearing your example. Love, Patience Phillips----update ---- later same day Listening to Viola Davis share the forward and Cecily Tyson share ”Introduction: This Life” broke me down.Couldn't wait for the hardcover to arrive I ordered on the 26th upon hearing Ms. Tyson passed today. So glad I bought the Audible version. Hearing her voice one last time on the last day of her life talking to me. How could she have known how much I needed this? How much we all do at such a time as this.Brilliant. Simply brilliant.On a side note, normally listen to audiobooks on 2x’s the speed.1x for Viola and Ms. Tyson. I will listen to them over and over and over again.If you don't know about Viola Davis’s childhood and how she helps food insecure children you're about to hear the raw truth. I'd first heard her story reading Brene’ Brown’s Braving the Wilderness. Became one of my heroes. This story weaves so beautifully with Ms. Tyson’s in an extraordinary way.If you don't believe in miracles already you're about to❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💯

Elyse

March 12, 2022

Audiobook…read by Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis, & Robin Miles …..16 hours and 8 minutes ALL VOICES WERE TOP NOTCH. “The Story of the Actress Who Graced The Stage and Screen for Six Decades”……died Jan. 28th, 2021….at age 96. (two days after this autobiography was released). Geee….18,039 overall 5 star reviews! ……ooh la la….jeezie-gracious-wowzer…..the people got it right!! Cicely Tyson was a phenomenal actress…in great films. …. She bypassed age, gender, and racial discriminations! She died as a highly respected distinguish African-American legend….(that’s a pretty good life)….I enjoyed learning about Cicely’s values, her mom’s, her family, her relationship with the Church — being at the center of her life as a child - Between her mother and Church, strong values were being planted….it’s where her core was built. ….It was fascinating to be introduced to the way Cicely’s got her start, her career, in Hollywood….a stand for her rights, belief in herself from the get-go.Lots of great history and stories- her marriages - her work - etc. I simply enjoyed hearing all the things Cicely had to say——(something about everything )- and my God….I believed every word of advice she gave to others)….Cicely was a natural born influencer - before social media influencers started influencing the world’s population. Cicely had me thinking I should carry Cayenne Pepper in my purse to sprinkle on any food that I eat from a restaurant. Oh….and she gave us the “drink-more-water” advice too!She had a point! Thirst decreases as we age ….and dehydration is a real concern. I’m feeling a need to drink some water just thinking about this. I’m one of the guilty ones who must make myself drink more water.Tea….I do drink a lot of tea…. But tea can actually dehydrate —So, okay, Ms. Cicely Tyson…(if you can hear me)…THANK YOU …. I’ll make a better effort to drink more water each day!Oh…..And….I even wanted to be a black woman - so I could be included in their special talk (thankfully we white folks were allowed to listen in) ….lolBUTMOST…I fell in love getting to know Cicely more. Such a beautiful human being. I admire the dynamic positive strength and spirit, she had! May Cicely Tyson > Rest In Peace.

Read In Colour

February 04, 2021

It's fitting that Aretha Franklin's version of Mary, Don't You Weep started playing in the background as I began this review because Aretha was a dear friend of Ms. Tyson and because I found myself crying unexpectedly as I finished her memoir. And I say unexpectedly because I shed no tears when her death was first announced. In my mind, she'd lived a long and fascinating life and deserved to rest in eternal peace. So why did wrapping up her book move me so much?The first time I saw Cicely Tyson I was in the second grade and she was on my TV screen playing Binta, the mother of Kunta Kinte. I didn't know who she was, but I knew her hair was like nothing I'd seen on TV - Bantu knots she asked her hairdresser to replicate in homage to women she'd met in previous travels to countries in Africa. There were so many stars in Roots: OJ Simpson (back when we still claimed him), Maya Angelou, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, etc. But Ms. Tyson's portrayal stood out.Immersing herself in her roles to the point where she wore her characters like a second skin was the norm for her. From the raspy voice she took on in her portrayal of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, shunning the call for an older actress to provide the voiceover, to her claiming the role of Mrs. Carrie Watts back in 1985 and patiently waiting for it to come to fruition in 2012 with first the Broadway production of The Trip to Bountiful and then the Lifetime TV production, she breathed life into her roles. Her acting is so convincing as Jane Pittman that arguments arise on social media at least once a year as to whether or not Ms. Pittman was a real person. (She was not.)Who was Ms. Tyson when she wasn't acting? She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend and a mother - the last role being one she says has been rewarding, but also a journey requiring continuous work. Twice married, she readily admits that while she didn't love her first husband, Miles Davis was the love of her life. Growing up in East St. Louis, I still remember when Longfellow Elementary School was renamed for Miles Davis and he and Ms. Tyson came to town for the ceremony. Much has been written about the volatility of their relationship. You'll have to read the book to understand their love story, which started over 20 years before they ever married.Toward the end of the book, Ms. Tyson says "... I'm still here because God hasn't finished with me. And when I've completed my job, he'll take me." Imagine not starting your acting career until you're 30 and continuing to act until your last days. While the rest of us contemplate retirement at 65, Ms. Tyson simply was not having it! Having inspired generations through her roles, through her life story, through her friendship, through her generous spirit and wanting to do even more, I have to believe God looked down on her one last time and said, well done, good and faithful servant.

Tamyka

February 07, 2021

I love Cicely Tyson. She had a long beautiful life and an amazing career. The good thing about this book is the historical, political, and social context mixed within it. She’s lived so long and to see her perspective of significant historical events was a real treat because I find most of my most valuable understanding of the life experiences of Black women throughout history comes from memoirs, autobiographies, and historical fiction and historical romance. The 4 stars may be petty but the Miles Davis story just really bothered me which isn’t fair cause that was her real life. That the greatest love of her life was traumatic, abusive, and filled with mistreatment is sad for me cause she seemed like a phenomenal woman and she didn’t deserve that. Anyways it’s a great memoir and I highly recommend.

Sharon

August 28, 2022

What a gift! Cicely Tyson's memoir, Just As I Am, was released on January 26, 2021 and she passed away two days later on January 28, 2021. Words can't adequately describe what an amazing, phenomenal, inspirational person she was and the impact she has had on hundreds of thousands lives.Fortunately, she narrated her memoir as an audiobook before her journey on earth ended and her voice, soul, and character come across in every word. Viola Davis leads the book with an incredible foreward describing the impact Cicely had on Viola at seven years old when Viola saw her on television; Cicely gave Viola the power to dream big.Cicely describes her childhood and the pivot to modeling and acting, as well as her personal relationships, including her marriage to Miles Davis in 1981. Many of us grow up determined not to repeat our parents' mistakes and Cicely is no exception. Sooner or later, many of us realize we are more similar to our parents than we thought.Cicely also shares her critical roles in Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and Roots as well as her numerous awards: two Emmys, a Tony, an honorary Oscar, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and being named a Kennedy Center honoree.The audiobook was 16 hours and I was spellbound the entire time. It is truly a gift to all of us that she narrated it before she left Earth.Highly recommend!

Maryam

June 09, 2021

50,000+ starsRequired reading, "on my bucket list" type of book. The audiobook is the way to go, it added another dimension to the experience that I can't quite describe. It was like drinking a cup of chai tea while snuggling up in those soft cotton-y blankets in bed, not wanting to get up, but wanting to just simply stay in the warm, cozy moment. Cicely Tyson is royalty and I could hear my mother and my grandmother's stories through her. I am truly grateful that this book was finished before she passed away (rest in power, Cicely) and I can purchase it and keep it close to me whenever. The lessons, vulnerability, power, and sweetness that I found in this book are unlike any I have read in a memoir thus far. Go and listen to her story, you won't be disappointed I promise you.Thank you Cicely.

Colleen

April 13, 2021

Whoa, what can I say about this book. I was expecting so much detail about her life and the things that had happened to her. I truly enjoyed this book. I love the fact that she was raw and honest in this book. This book made me laugh and at times brought me to tears. This book was worth the hype and so much more.

Jonathan David

March 09, 2021

Reading Just As I Am, a 399 page statement on Cicely Tyson’s life of 96 years, and career spanning 7 decades— was an experience like no other. I, myself, am not a regular reader of celebrity memoirs, but this was one of kind. A gem like Cicely Tyson is a rarity. A gentle soul, filled with so much talent, experience, and wisdom. Which is why flipping from page-to-page I was refreshed by how she not only spoke about the events of her life, her memories of countless acting gigs, celebrity encounters, and monumental historical affects— but she was critical and reflective. You see her faith, along with the love she holds for acting, her family, and her close friends evident on these pages. You see that she not only knows history from person experience, but from remaining well-read, and engaged in the evolving conversation of race, gender, and class struggles. Experiencing childhood during the Harlem Renaissance, to being close friends with those who were prominent voice during the Civil Rights Movement, Ms. Tyson has seen activism in all its eras. At points she slips into dialogue concerning the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and past and present Black representation in the film industry. And her commentary is right on the pulse of what young activists and scholars are saying. She is not resistant to changes in tactics or language, but welcoming and supportive of how those rising to lead current social movement are using their voice. I read a good chunk of the novel using my physical copy, and then switched to audio in order to listen while I completed mundane tasks and drove— this elevated further. The stories she told, some heartbreaking, some making you laugh out loud until tears fell, and a good chuck awe-inspiring feel meant to be passed by word-of-mouth. I only wish Cicely Tyson were still with us to answer more questions and enjoy watching the world revel in her monumental legacy finally being on paper. I will say that it brings we joy knowing that Cicely Tyson continued to live her last year’s fully present on the big screen, receiving her long overdue flowers, and publishing her life story in her own words, gifting us the knowledge of a true legend in full— just as she was.

Dawn

February 27, 2021

This was one of the best memoirs I’ve read! Ms. Tyson was an open book, raw but graceful as she told her life story. It was great to review the history of this country from point of view and learn more about her story. I will be honest and say there were times in which I was disappointed by some of the decisions she made in life but I admire how transparent she was about her feelings at the time. She lived a marvelous life and touched many, her impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. I’m so grateful she got the opportunity to share her wisdom before leaving this earthly life. 5 stars!

Madam Book Worm 🎀

January 24, 2023

5 STARS-best book I have read in a while!I am so happy that the late GREAT Ms. Cicely Tyson shared her story. Two days after this book was released, Ms. Cicely became our ancestor. This book is filled with tearful, happy and joyous moments. This book also discusses injustice, family, love and careers. I felt like I was transcended into multiple generations before my time while reading because she so effortlessly and vividly tells her story. I also see how God has our life plan figured out by some of the things that happened in Cicely's life that made her who she was. Nothing is a coincidence. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every moment and I loved the bonus tips at the end that she gives on how she's made it to almost a century by explaining what she eats everyday. So captivating!

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