Just as I Am: A Memoir

Written by Cicely Tyson

Narrated by Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis and Robin Miles

“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

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780062931351

Cicely Tyson

Ms. Cicely Tyson is an actress, lecturer, activist, and one of the most respected talents in American theater and film history. From her starring role on Broadway in The Blacks (1961), to the Emmy-nominated 1999 HBO film A Lesson Before Dying, her work has garnered critical and commercial applause for more than sixty years. Her two Emmys for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman made her the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress. In 2013, Ms. Tyson won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Miss Carrie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful. A capstone achievement came in 2018, when she became the first Black woman to receive an honorary Oscar. The Board of Governors voted unanimously to honor her with the award, which came 45 years after her Academy Award nominated performance in Sounder.

Reviews for Just as I Am

[Tarchelle Bryant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful memoir of a phenomenal woman!! Cicely Tyson left us with a blessing and marching orders. I'm as grateful for this body of work as I am for the life she lived.

[Leona Isaac · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I started listening to this the entire book was available. Why is only one chapter now available? I never got to finish the book! I am disappointed!

[Uyi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m so glad she got to tell her story by herself. Loved reading this book. Thank you Ms. Tyson for leaving us with such an incredible story and great advice. She makes me want to do better, be better and live healthier.

[Cyndia Hammond · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best audiobook I’ve listened to so far. The voice actress was perfect. The introduction by Cicely Tyson herself was worth the listen. Beautiful and iconic memoir worth of its subject. Rest well, Ms. Tyson and thank you for this gift.

[Jessica Gardner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A true love letter to women and especially women of color. I’m so much richer for this experience ! Looking forward to purchasing the hard copy.

Cicely truly uncovers life and her view through the lense of spirituality and how she maintained love and truth at the forefront of her decision making to unravel a true calling and career one could
Only imagine!

Tap into this ?

[ggenesisllc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent narration. I felt like I was listening to Cicely's younger voice.
Wise and spirit-focused black wan leader. She lived intentionally, mostly, and in the areas where she had blind spots, she got curious and made course corrections without harshly judging herself. Great health advice too!

[Deandrea Grant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Magnificent historical life events and personal perservenance ! Lovely gift

[Jonna Knighton-Loggains · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cicely Tysons life was so long lived and full. I’m so glad I listened to this book it’s so amazing and touching!

[EJ Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The reading of the book was excellent. Every word was understood and there was never a question of “what did she say?”. I loved it. It was wonderful to hear of Ms. Tyson’s life from her own words. May she Rest In Peace!

[Wanda Harrison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book was amazing . I loved her story it has truly inspired me

[Natalya Ferch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an incredible testimony of resiliency, beauty, dignity and power. I am touched deeply by her life.

[nia wingard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very touching story. Very lively and historical references or a great.

[Latasha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a phenomenal woman. The words spoke right through the pages. Highly recommended!

[korede Neji · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a breathtaking memoir ? was worth every minute and I am glad the world was blessed with Ms Cicely Tyson, you lived, fought and conquered and most importantly did your best just as you are ?

[dionna king · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story of love and life. Trials and tribulations in being black in show business which still exist today.

[Marylyn Madzivanyika · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book!Thank you to the Great Legend Ms Cicely for the amazing book of knowledge. She lives on in our hearts!

[Mercedes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What A Life! I’m so inspired! Wow I was expecting to be mesmerized but this book goes above and beyond of moving you in a way that I was not expecting! Thank you Ms. Tyson!!

[Frances Goodbeer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ms Tyson’s sixth eye was working as she commenced the work on this book. It is compelling and revealing. Thank you for the gift.

[Jennie Childs · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Why not the whole book?? I was 1/2 way through the audiobook and then only one chapter was available. This was a great book! I want to finish it!!!

[Brittany · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a touching memoir. I really enjoyed listening to her life’s recollections and learned much.

[Marice Hilliard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator did an amazing job! I felt as if I was apart of this of her life. Wonderfully done.

[Valerie Coates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a excellent memoir. You never know what a person’s journey is.

[Juton Hanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Phenomenal Book!!!! I enjoyed every word. It’s definitely worth the listen.

[Fiona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful audio book! I enjoy this book very much

[Jazzmin Monique Michelle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book. Great insight into the life of Ms. Tyson. She gives you her all in this book.

[Roxanne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book… I’ve had it saved for a while but just got to it. I encourage everyone to read it now … don’t wait. I found so many nuggets of wisdom.

[Heidi Janey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a vivid and dynamic book. I was thoroughly engaged throughout. Not a boring moment!

[Ovie Dixon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book. Thank you Cicely. Wow, what a life. The Narrator was also fantastic. She made the book alive.

[Dawn Bright Saunders · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book was a page turner. Her family tree was keen in detail giving the audience an opportunity to go down memory lane with Cecily. The book was written with precision on recollecting events and timeline which took us back and in the grove of every bit of function. Miles one of the character was like a snake never change its habits. I snake can never be trusted but the author did. She have the heart of compassion and represented true humanity. Her actions display a live without condition up until the end of the book. The book was consistent in the temperament and temperature but varies with season throw out every description of her career. The book open up the reader to take poise in feeling the sensation of her role when she becomes the person she is acting out in her movies. I couldn’t put the book down because it made the reader feel trap in a movie theater waiting for the scenes to end.

[courtney4wright · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautifully written memoir. Her stunning story lives on.