Autobiography

Just as I Am: A Memoir

Just as I Am: A Memoir

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  • Create Date：2021-02-25 22:51:35
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Cicely Tyson
  • ISBN：0062931067
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Summary

“In her long and extraordinary career， Cicely Tyson has not only succeeded as an actor， she has shaped the course of history。” –President Barack Obama， 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony

"Just As I Am is my truth。 It is me， plain and unvarnished， with the glitter and garland set aside。 In these pages， 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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Reviews

Tate Muradzi ，

Just beautiful！！ Cicely and absolute service to humanity。 Well written！

Cheryl ，

I have loved Cicely Tyson since I was a kid， a young kid at that。 I was truly saddened to read she had passed。This book was a really great read。 I liked that she told it in a linear fashion， weaving in how she felt at the time as well as her sentiments now。 It really read as if one was talking to her， asking about her life， hearing of the events， how she felt then， and how she interprets the same event now。 This was worth far more than five stars！

Marco ，

Cicely Tyson is a queen。 Even in death there is no taking away that title。 She was a woman whose grace and contribution to society leaves no question in her own memoir "As I Am"。 The life of a woman who， as she says， could take bricks thrown her way， pick them up and then throw them out of her path is a testament both to the work that has been done and the work that is still needed to do。She was a prayerful woman， one who saw our Father in everything she did， every path she took， even as she ent Cicely Tyson is a queen。 Even in death there is no taking away that title。 She was a woman whose grace and contribution to society leaves no question in her own memoir "As I Am"。 The life of a woman who， as she says， could take bricks thrown her way， pick them up and then throw them out of her path is a testament both to the work that has been done and the work that is still needed to do。She was a prayerful woman， one who saw our Father in everything she did， every path she took， even as she entered into "questionable" theater and arts as her mother would say。 She was from a broken， sometimes volatile， home， a mother at 17， a woman who worked 3 jobs until God's hand moved her to her purpose at 29 - the arts。Every sentence of this memoir is brimming with soul。 Like her contemporary Maya Angelou， she is one of the greats who has enough to spare， with stories and wisdom spun so eloquently you can imagine sitting with her at tea and she would know who you were before you introduced yourself （she was also a professed ESP psychic）。She was an actor's actor， learning roles inside and out， learning at the very bottom of an actor's study。 She was the first Black character in a soap opera for 'Guiding Light'， the first Black woman to wear her natural hair on television， the first Black Actress to receive an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Miniseries。If you are reading books like "How to Be An Anti-Racist"， this is a definitive book also on the Black experience in America。 Tyson was a woman who beat a lot of odds， but was still met with resistance based on the color of her skin。 She calls for Black stories to be told， justice to be served， to uphold the lives of BLM and keep the movement。This was a woman who lived alongside Martin Luther King， Jr。， socialized at parties with Maya Angelou， married and conflicted to Miles Davis， and a fighter for equality in pay and opportunity which she aligned to protest。 Long live， Miss Tyson。 The hymn on which she based her life has the line "Just As I Am" in its words， and so does the legacy of how she lived it。 。。。more

Cindy Feigert ，

If you read no other autobiography， biography or memoir this year please read this。 I actually listened to it on audible and what a gift Miss Cicely gave us。 It is the story of her life and career but it is also a history lesson。 An honest look at what was and is to be an African American in this country。 The last chapter was especially poignant。 She gave us all advice on how to live with grace and goodness， just as I am。

Ann Brown ，

One of the best books I have read。 Amazing intelligent woman。 Her story so wow

Imani Dyson ，

All I can is wow。 This book is the best book I’ve read so far this year and surely a book to add to my all time favorites。 Ms。Tyson and Ms。 Buford were able to capture Tyson’s spunk， wisdom and experiences so beautifully and vividly。 This book gave and gave and gave。 Lots of life lesson， a lot of tea， and many affirmations。 I am so surprised at how much I relate to her story and how much Ms。 Tyson has affirmed me with her words。 A must read！

Jane ，

This book is amazing， as is the writing！！！ It's a walk through history， a walk through a true legend's life， and she writes it as if she's speaking to you！！！ This book is amazing， as is the writing！！！ It's a walk through history， a walk through a true legend's life， and she writes it as if she's speaking to you！！！ 。。。more

Leilani ，

There are not enough starts to do this book， and Ms Tyson， justice。

Elizabeth ，

This book is a must read （listen）！ I read glowing reviews and am glad added it。 I am so thankful that Cicely Tyson choose to share her story with the world。 It was well written and mesmerizing。 I can only dream of being half as brilliant now as she was at 96。

Amanda ，

Absolutely amazing book！ What a legacy ❤

Dawn Saunders ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 The book was a page turner。 Her family tree was keen revealing details of history giving the audience an opportunity to engage down memory lane with Cecily。 The book was written with precision on recollecting events and timeline which took us in each ere 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 The book was a page turner。 Her family tree was keen revealing details of history giving the audience an opportunity to engage down memory lane with Cecily。 The book was written with precision on recollecting events and timeline which took us in each ere 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。 。。。more

Erica ，

I love Cicely Tyson。 This memoir was so good。 I listened to it as an audiobook。 I loved hearing her voice and wish she had narrated the entire book but I understand why she didn’t。 I learned a lot about Miles Davis as well。 She was one amazing woman and this is a great tribute to her legacy。

Jennifer ，

I normally don't read many memoirs but I just had to pick up Ms Tyson's especially in light of her passing。 Her beauty and grace shines through every page。 I was reminded once again of the backbreaking emotional and physical labor Black women are put through， the cycle of trauma that manifests so often in abuse and being the recipient of abuse。 The grace she exhibited even throughout her descriptions of her （to me） horrible， co-dependent relationship with Miles Davis， another victim of Black gen I normally don't read many memoirs but I just had to pick up Ms Tyson's especially in light of her passing。 Her beauty and grace shines through every page。 I was reminded once again of the backbreaking emotional and physical labor Black women are put through， the cycle of trauma that manifests so often in abuse and being the recipient of abuse。 The grace she exhibited even throughout her descriptions of her （to me） horrible， co-dependent relationship with Miles Davis， another victim of Black generational trauma， was to me another example of the type of labor into which Black women feel forced。 Obviously， the entire book isn't about this and I don't want to make it seem as if this is one long traumatic recollection， but it IS a necessary part of her memoir。 The rest， as expected， is filled with beautiful passages of honing her craft， of how she knew which parts she was destined for vs。 which ones to reject， and the well-deserved accolades acquired throughout her career。 This was a wonderful read from start to finish and I highly recommend it。 。。。more

Ely Nuku ，

I wasn’t a follower of Cecily Tyson and her movies。 Of course I knew about her but I never sought her works nor heard her story nor wanted to know her story。 The closest was when Tyler Perry dedicated one of his sound booths to her and other artists including Sidney Portier。 So I knew she was in that generation of actors。 Sad right？ Then I saw Tyler Perry’s post on the release of her memoir on January 26th， 2 days later he posted on her death。 And I thought “ that’s interesting， sounds like she I wasn’t a follower of Cecily Tyson and her movies。 Of course I knew about her but I never sought her works nor heard her story nor wanted to know her story。 The closest was when Tyler Perry dedicated one of his sound booths to her and other artists including Sidney Portier。 So I knew she was in that generation of actors。 Sad right？ Then I saw Tyler Perry’s post on the release of her memoir on January 26th， 2 days later he posted on her death。 And I thought “ that’s interesting， sounds like she actually has finished her God ordained work on earth so that’s a book I’d like to read”。 When it eventually gets to Ghana。 So give it a few months。 Then I chanced on the online version and I couldn’t let it go！！！！！ I have since bought the hard copy， just to transfer my highlights and to own it！！！ I’ve come to love the woman I met in the book and I have started seeking out her works to watch。 The book chronicles her life from infancy in the contest of her family and their influence on her till her ‘twilight’ years。 She talks about how she got into the industry and her challenges which reminded me of lthe Netflix series “They’ve Gotta Have Us” directed by Simon Frederick 。 She talks about some of her major works， how she got those contract ， how she prepared for them and their post release impact。 She delved into her romantic relationships and troubled marriages。 It’s a memoir。 Here are the things I’ve come to love about her : 1。 She’s a storyteller and knows how to tell her story - what she’s done and why she did it and when she did it。 I loved this characteristic because in the corporate world I am learning that you have to be able to articulate your achievements。 You have to know how to “blow your own horn” so this resonated with me。 I also marvelled at her brain， her memory even at 96， the details she could remember！ “By age sixteen， I’d moved on to hairdressing。 For years， Mom had her hair pressed by a woman who lived two blocks from us， Miss Jones。 （How on earth can I remember these names？ No wonder I have a headache 。 。 。 so many details in my head！）”2。 Vulnerability - Due to her petite physique she appears vulnerable。 And she seemed to also wear her vulnerability well and that also became her strength too。 3。 Strength and stubbornness - She’s strong and stubborn。 Her mother may have succeeded in controlling her for a while as a child but she was no push over especially after childbirth at age 17。 4。 Spoke intentionally - Whether verbal or written she was intentional in her choice of words and how she delivered them。 This she learnt in actors training。 To let the spaces in between the words also speak。 5。 Lady - She was a lady in manner and grooming。 She dressed well paa。 6。 Spiritual - She didn’t let go of the training she was given as a child to remain in the house of the Lord。 7。 Seeks knowledge- She’s well read， likes to be knowledgeable about endeavours she’s involved in。 Is was evident during her introduction to acting。 She insisted on going for training even though her then agent thought her talent was enough to carry her through。 It’s also evident in how she prepares for each role， the research she embarks to acquire the requisite knowledge。 8。 She respected herself and required it from others too。 Evident in when she sued Elizabeth Taylor。 9。 Health conscious - For years she was on a whole produce diet - takes greens 3 times a day including a celery juice each morning。 She works out - pull-ups each morning。 “As for preserving my mind， continuing to take roles， well into my nineties， has been my sustaining force。 Folks “retire” so they can sit on the couch and watch television while they wait to die。 I’ve known several people—six months after they stopped working， so did their hearts。 Some form of occupation is necessary for survival。 For years， you get up， get dressed， eat breakfast， and work all day。 It’s an exercise。 What makes you think you can suddenly cease that routine without slipping into senility？ You can’t just stop or that’ll be the end of you。 I aim to live。 Purpose courses through my veins just as surely as artistry does。” At age 88 she took a stage role that earned her a Tony award！！！ Favourite quotes “I made a conscious decision: I would use my profession as my platform—a stage from which to make my voice heard by carefully choosing my projects and portrayals。 I could not afford the luxury of simply being an actress。”“I now know that “Why？” is the most important question an artist can ask。”“I studied everything。 When we were out in the streets， I’d notice people’s feet。 I still do。 In fact， my eyes fall first on people’s shoes even before I look up at their faces。 Our feet tell our stories。 They carry us through this life， moving us from one sorrow and season to the next。 Our gait can reveal us to be buoyant or bullish， dispirited or steadfast。”“In times of plenty， paucity sits by， licking its lips and awaiting its next grand appearance。”“We are our mothers’ children， every one of us。 And that umbilical cord connection makes you and me， in ways unconscious and profound， their dream keepers”When you don’t “know what to do， you do what you know”“As life has taught me time and again， you often have to lose your present circumstance to make room for your forthcoming one。”“As Ms。 Johnson said her final goodbyes around the office， the rest of us clerks settled back at our typewriters， eyeing the wall clock to calculate the number of click-clacks till quitting time。 That’s when， seemingly out of nowhere， a proclamation tumbled out of my mouth。 “I’ll tell you one thing，” I said loudly enough for everyone to hear。 “I’m not gonna be any place for no thirty years until somebody hands me a wristwatch and says， ‘Thank you very much。’ I’ll buy myself a watch。”“And yet even those who care deeply for us cannot always see our big picture， the Grand Story Line that is destined to unfold before us。 They are on their own journeys。 。。。。。。。 As much as others want the best for us， they do not necessarily understand God’s best。 He alone does。”“The myth of the Strong Black Woman bears a kernel of truth， but it is only a half-seed。 The other half is delicate and ailing， all the more so because it has been denied sunlight。”“Children lie out of fear they will be punished in some way。 But adults， as I see it， have no right to lie。”“Life is unfolding exactly as it is meant to， exactly as the Spirit intended。 Leave it alone and let it play out。”“You may dim love’s light， but when you’ve cared for someone， you never fully switch off the affection。”“A woman should always have a place of her own， some independence， and I’d held on to mine， in part， to keep a canyon between me and Miles’s rants。”“RELATIONSHIPS are knitted together by need。 When two people connect， the purpose each is serving in the other’s life is what holds the union in place， keeps the ragged edges of its hemline sewn。”“You always seek to control others when you are not in full ownership of yourself。”“When you give yourself away， when you surrender yourself as a divine vessel， as my beloved Jeanne did， you impact lives eternally。”“No amount of Black Girl Magic， no repeated proclamations of our worth， can fully treat the wound， although acknowledging its persistence is a beginning。 The ultimate remedy， as I see it， is supernatural。 I look daily toward heaven for restoration， for spiritual healing。 My true identity isn’t rooted in our history， grievous and glorious as it is。 It is grounded in my designation as a child of God， the daughter of the Great Physician。 In his care， I find my cure。”“I pray that you can carve out a purpose for yourself， a calling beyond your own survival， a sweet offering to the world。 You gain a life by giving yours away。 Not everyone is meant to raise a picket sign。 And yet each of us can choose a path of impact。 Rearing your children with affection and warmth is a form of activism。 Honoring your word “impeccably is a way to raise your voice。 Performing your job with excellence—with your chin high and your standards higher—is as powerful as any protest march。 Sowing into the lives of young people is a worthy crusade。 That is what it means to leave this world of ours more lit up than we found it。 It’s also what it means to lead a magnificent life， even if an unlikely one。”“I want to be recalled as one who squared my shoulders in the service of Black women， as one who made us walk taller and envision greater for ourselves。 I want to know that I did the very best that I could with what God gave me—just as I am。” 。。。more

Michelle ，

This book！ So many gems！ I'm so grateful for this work and so happy she was able to complete and publish it before her transition。 This woman lived and loved wholeheartedly！ An inspiration！ Rise In Power Ms。 Tyson！ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This book！ So many gems！ I'm so grateful for this work and so happy she was able to complete and publish it before her transition。 This woman lived and loved wholeheartedly！ An inspiration！ Rise In Power Ms。 Tyson！ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 。。。more

Dawn ，

What a phenomenal memoir！ Listening to Ms。 Tyson’s story made me feel as if I knew her personally。 I am so grateful she left us with her journey told in her words。

T。K。 Walker ，

A life well lived。 Well done， Ms。 Tyson。 Well done！

Denise ，

Pros :: Cicely Tyson was an amazing woman and such a strong voice that everyone needs to hear her story— which is America’s story。 She belongs in the pantheon of incredible people。 She seemed like she has a fabulous sense of humor， too！ What fun it must to been able to hang out with her or work with her。 Michelle Burford did a fantastic telling of the story， making Cicely shine as well as bring （hard， difficult and horrible） context of the times to light。 Pictures were fabulous。 Cons :: Nothing。 Pros :: Cicely Tyson was an amazing woman and such a strong voice that everyone needs to hear her story— which is America’s story。 She belongs in the pantheon of incredible people。 She seemed like she has a fabulous sense of humor， too！ What fun it must to been able to hang out with her or work with her。 Michelle Burford did a fantastic telling of the story， making Cicely shine as well as bring （hard， difficult and horrible） context of the times to light。 Pictures were fabulous。 Cons :: Nothing。 Cover art :: 100 out 5。 Breath taking。 。。。more

Dee Cherry ，

Beautifully written。 Ms。 Tyson's story kept me mesmerized as she described her various life events。 Highly recommended Beautifully written。 Ms。 Tyson's story kept me mesmerized as she described her various life events。 Highly recommended 。。。more

Pat Newman ，

I LOVED THIS BOOKSeeing Ms。 Tyson in The Blacks was a seminal experience shortly after I transplanted myself to New York and I delighted in seeing her on the street in the Village。 Her epic journey in this memoir totally captivated me and shed further light on what it means for black women in this deeply racist culture。 That she overcame and had such a full life must be an inspiration to girls of color everywhere。 I am grateful for her generous gift to our understanding of her struggle and achie I LOVED THIS BOOKSeeing Ms。 Tyson in The Blacks was a seminal experience shortly after I transplanted myself to New York and I delighted in seeing her on the street in the Village。 Her epic journey in this memoir totally captivated me and shed further light on what it means for black women in this deeply racist culture。 That she overcame and had such a full life must be an inspiration to girls of color everywhere。 I am grateful for her generous gift to our understanding of her struggle and achievement。 Thanks so much to Ms。 Burford for her role in bringing this amazing story to life。 。。。more

CARLEEN ，

Queen Cicely had such a beautiful fulfilled life。 I didn't think I could admire her more than I already did， and then I read her memoir， pure BEAUTY！ Rest In Power Queen Queen Cicely had such a beautiful fulfilled life。 I didn't think I could admire her more than I already did， and then I read her memoir， pure BEAUTY！ Rest In Power Queen 。。。more

Gina M。 Schade ，

Excellent book！ Would highly recommend the audiobook version。

Ashley J。 Hobbs ，

I am so full after taking in Ms。 Cicely's story。 So much of it resonated with me personally。 So much of it affirmed me as a Black woman figuring out life as it comes。 This memoir now joins a small list that have helped shape me。 I know I'll keep coming back to it to remember the ways in which she trusted God with her life， the way she enjoyed her life and the way she lived in the direction of purpose just as she was。One thing in particular that resonates with me is her commitment to choosing upl I am so full after taking in Ms。 Cicely's story。 So much of it resonated with me personally。 So much of it affirmed me as a Black woman figuring out life as it comes。 This memoir now joins a small list that have helped shape me。 I know I'll keep coming back to it to remember the ways in which she trusted God with her life， the way she enjoyed her life and the way she lived in the direction of purpose just as she was。One thing in particular that resonates with me is her commitment to choosing uplifting roles that honor the soul of Blackness。 Another thing that sent chills through me is her lifelong gift of vision/prophecy but also intercession for others。 I have little words left。 Everyone should read this book。 But most especially Black women of all ages。 Ms。 Cicely's life is a testament to what God can do with us at any age if we trust。 。。。more

Griselda Alvarez ，

A wonderful memoir that Cecily narrates herself。 I discovered this book a day before she passed on。 Not knowing much about this actor， it was wonderful to read about her successes and how she rose from her falls。 A strong woman who worked hard to accomplish what she set her mind to。 An inspiration to all women。

Naima Holloway ，

Great book！I didn't know much about Ms。 Tyson， but I sure learned a lot。Very inspiring！ Great book！I didn't know much about Ms。 Tyson， but I sure learned a lot。Very inspiring！ 。。。more

Jane Paula ，

The end made me tear up！ A fascinating memoir！ Well-written and well-told！The memoir is just a beautiful collection of more than 90 years of wisdom and insight from an amazing life Cicely Tyson led！

Maggie B ，

What an astonishing autobiography - Tyson lived nearly 100 years and spent every single one living life to the fullest。 I very rarely read this type of book but am so thankful I got to experience some small part of this woman’s life。 Despite its impressive （and deserved） length I was never bored， instead always riveted and learning something new。 So many laughs， tears， and terrors。 I need someone to compile a list of all the plays， books， shows， films， musicians， and other artists mentioned in t What an astonishing autobiography - Tyson lived nearly 100 years and spent every single one living life to the fullest。 I very rarely read this type of book but am so thankful I got to experience some small part of this woman’s life。 Despite its impressive （and deserved） length I was never bored， instead always riveted and learning something new。 So many laughs， tears， and terrors。 I need someone to compile a list of all the plays， books， shows， films， musicians， and other artists mentioned in this journey。 There were way too many to keep track of， but holy moly she really knew her stuff。 A very excellent 5 stars to this master class of a person。 。。。more

Yve ，

The best autobiography that I have ever read。 Amazing。

Elle Jones ，

Ms。 Cicely Tyson is truly a gem！

Jeché ，

As sage as I expected。 What a life！

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Just as I Am: A Memoir

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Just as I Am: A Memoir&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Just as I Am: A Memoir&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0