The Urgent Life
My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival
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The Urgent Life
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Narrated by:
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Bozoma Saint John
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Written by:
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Bozoma Saint John
About this listen
"The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.”—Serena Williams
From iconic leader Bozoma Saint John, comes a memoir of grief, and one woman's drive to thrive in the face of loss
When Bozoma Saint John's husband, Peter, died of cancer, she made one big decision: to live life urgently. Bozoma was no stranger to adversity, having lost her college boyfriend to suicide, navigated an interracial marriage, grieved a child born prematurely—a process that led to her and Peter's separation—and coparented the daughter who she and Peter shared. When Peter knew his cancer was terminal, he gave Bozoma a short list of things to do: cancel the divorce, and fix the wrongs immediately.
In The Urgent Life, Bozoma takes listeners through the dizzying, numbing days of multiple griefs, and the courage which these sparked in her to live life in accordance with her deepest values time and time again. We witness Bozoma's journey forward through the highs and the lows, as she negotiates life as a woman determined to learn from tragedies to build a remarkable life worth living even in her brokenness.
Bozoma's story is extraordinary, but her grief is not uncommon, and her courage is sure to touch any listener who has loved, mourned and is finding a path through loss and grief, as well as anyone who is maneuvering a pivot and wants to live life to its fullest.
©2023 Bozoma Saint John (P)2023 Penguin AudioYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
One of Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2023
“The highlight reel of life can be misleading. It’s only when you look beyond the happy moments to look deeply into the times of darkness to see the real truth of a life. Bozoma Saint John’s The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.” —Serena Williams
“The intensity of The Urgent Life Is contagious. No matter how different our own lives may be, we’re likely to leave these pages with a new sense of intimacy as well as urgency.” —Gloria Steinem
"In the past few years, I’ve had a front row seat to the inspiring way Bozoma Saint John has lived her life urgently; but in reading the story of her losses, I’ve truly come to marvel at her ferocious fortitude. Boz has not just survived, she has thrived. And all of us can learn lessons in The Urgent Life for how to do the same."—Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global
What listeners say about The Urgent Life
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Phoebe_G
- 2023-07-21
Wow
It’s riveting to hear such a life through your lens and to know your unwavering faith and the urgency in which you live is inspirational
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mariama Keita
- 2023-03-20
Thank for this gift!!
I have been waiting for this book since I first heard that Bozoma was writing it.
It exceeded my expectations and blessed with so many lessons 🙏🏾
Boz, I pray that GOD grant your prayer that all your loved ones live a long and fulfilling live and that your worst storms are behind you!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- UnderTheNeemTree
- 2024-05-22
The story behind the brilliant women
I related to a lot of it even. What a beautiful lesson in life that is to love urgently.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-03-25
Heart wrenching
The true trials and tribulations of life through the lense of a normal person. Not self-help, just perspective.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Theresa Libke
- 2023-03-19
Amazing!
A beautiful story, inspiring, motivating, moving and courageous. Thank you for writing this and sharing your story with us!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ONDINE
- 2023-03-09
I want to be Bozomas friend
The whole book felt like I was sitting having a good cup of tea with a friend.
Thanks for sharing your incredibly honest story Bozoma.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2023-07-31
Story worth reading
This is a story worth reading. Very inspiring Bosoma! I also love the fact that it was narrated by the author herself. You felt the emotion that she felt throughout the book. Thank you🙏🏾
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- EJ
- 2023-03-21
Beautiful
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. Beautifully written, this is a story of love, loss and living life with purpose. I cried a lot reading this.
Bozoma, may you always see the signs and May your heart be always filled with love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thoughtful Cook
- 2023-05-29
Uplifting and honest
She seamlessly navigates grief, joy, racism, acceptance, faith, motherhood and community. A beautiful story of resilience and choosing happiness that we all needed
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kim
- 2023-07-01
Amazingly honest book
This book came up as something I may enjoy and it truly was. It was so heartfelt and shared the author’s deep personal life journey. I learned a lot from her and what she has endured. She is a true Goddess.
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