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The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival Hardcover – February 21, 2023

by Bozoma Saint John (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 517 ratings
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"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 readers 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 reader 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.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Viking
  4. Publication date
    February 21, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.18 x 0.98 x 9.27 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0593300173
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0593300176
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Bozoma Saint John shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows... — Serena Williams

The epic, riveting story about the love between a woman and her family — Glennon Doyle

Infused with determination, spirituality and passion — Katie Couric

The intensity of The Urgent Life is contagious — Gloria Steinem

The Urgent Life speaks to my very core in illustrating the miracle of life — Gabrielle Union

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

"I’m a believer of miracles, so Bozoma Saint John’s The Urgent Life speaks to my very core in illustrating the miracle of a life made great even through the trauma of immeasurable loss. If you don’t believe in miracles, her story is sure to convert you.” --Gabrielle Union, actress, producer and best selling author

“Yes, The Urgent Life is the epic, riveting story about the love between a woman and her family. It is also a love story between a singularly brilliant woman and life itself. Every page shows us how to love and lose while staying so unflinchingly close to the beautiful, brutal truth of life that we finally suck the marrow out of it.” --Glennon Doyle, author of the NYT bestseller Untamed and Founder of Together Rising

“Bozoma Saint John takes us on a deeply personal journey from pain to power. Her story reflects the indomitable spirit of hope that transcends the most deplorable moments we all encounter between mountains. This is a guide to lift your heart, beyond the dismal shadows of now, to the effervescent enlightenment of next. More than a book; this page-turning ride will transport you from shades of night to the effervescence of light.  Buckle up!  You are in for a ride!” --T.D. Jakes, entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and global Christian leader

"Anyone who has crossed paths with Boz knows she is a force—ready to take on the world, even in the face of loss. Infused with determination, spirituality and passion, The Urgent Life will make you want to pour yourself into everything you do and wring the most of out of every single day."
--Katie Couric

“A woman we can ALL look up to! Boz’s story is heartbreaking, yet inspiring, and brings nothing but light and love to even the darkest of times. She is the definition of keep on keepin’ on, and I know that’s exactly what she will continue to do.” --Quincy Jones

“A remarkably moving read about love, loss, and resilience. Bozoma Saint John is a force of nature, and her memoir will make you laugh, cry, and think hard about the meaning of your life and the relationships that matter most.” --Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

"The Urgent Life is an urgent book, a waterfall of life’s tragedies and happinesses —and it is also a meditation on how to live, with agency and will and also with truth, care and joy. Any reader who has lived and loved and lost will find a home in this book." --Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of In Love

"Tender and fierce, this book explores loss, interracial love, and the complexity of human emotion with humility, candor, and grace…An intimately revealing and moving memoir.” --Kirkus

"Saint John’s forthright approach and reliance on her spirituality are inspiring. Readers will be touched by this heartfelt message of hope." --Publishers Weekly

"[Bozoma] inspires us all not to give up despite the obstacles." --O Quarterly

"In her new memoir, Bozoma opens the door to her most intimate thoughts, showing readers how she managed to persevere through the direst of circumstances. This is a story of grief, of courage, and of deep love. It is about family – those we inherit, and those we choose.” --Essence

"Live life urgently: Even in her brokenness, that is Bozoma Saint John’s main goal when she loses her husband, Peter, to cancer. Knowing his cancer was terminal, Peter gave Bozoma a list of two things: cancel their divorce and fix the wrongs immediately. But Bozoma is no stranger to adversity, having lost her college boyfriend to suicide, an interracial marriage, a premature child, and a separation from Peter. Through outstanding courage, she navigates multiple griefs, while holding strong to her desire for a remarkable life." --She Reads

"The Urgent Life is an unflinching examination of Saint John’s decision to live urgently, which grew out of the realization that time spent with the people she loves isn’t guaranteed."
--BookPage

“[A] heartfelt memoir…” –New York Times

"Any reader who has experienced loss and disappointment or who has found herself at one crossroad after another will appreciate a personal story that deftly blends heaviness with heart and humor....This read is especially for you if you are experiencing the uncertain in-between times that bridge what you’ve found the courage to release and the unseen blessings that await." - Sisters from AARP

About the Author

Bozoma Saint John is an influencer and American businesswoman who has had a stellar career in marketing, most recently as the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix. She began her career at Spike Lee’s advertising agency, then going on to become a senior marketing executive at Pepsi, Apple Music, Uber, and Endeavor. She has been featured on the cover of Adweek as “one of the most exciting personalities in advertising” and has been inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement, as well as the American Marketing Hall of Fame, among others. Bozoma was named the #1 most influential CMO by Forbes in 2021, and has created a successful online tutorial “The Badass Workshop” which teach others to be their greatest selves.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking (February 21, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593300173
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593300176
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.02 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.18 x 0.98 x 9.27 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 517 ratings

About the author

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Bozoma Saint John

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
517 global ratings
An intimate look into the making of a pioneer
5 Stars
An intimate look into the making of a pioneer
I’ve been following Bozoma on socials and LinkedIn for a bit, and was familiar with some of the better known aspects of her life but getting a deeper dive into all that has lead her to be the leader that she is is amazing. I also really enjoy the non linear writing style switching between stories from childhood then back to adulthood like flashbacks and flash forwards. Granted, I’m only on chapter 4, but I’ve already learned so much about her thru these few chapters and cannot wait to read the rest.
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Top reviews from the United States

Pamela R.
5.0 out of 5 stars extremely interesting non fiction
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
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well written, kept my interest and attention . Enjoyed read this book
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Susan Melton
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Memoir - Moving and Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
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Wow. This book was impossible to put down. Beautifully written, impossible to forget. Inspiring and honest story of a woman navigating some of life’s hardest challenges and thriving in the end. Great life lessons in this book.
Hoping her next book is about her career, because that would be another very intriguing story.
2 people found this helpful
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ST
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
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There are so many things to say about Bozoma’s riveting first publication, ‘The Urgent Life’.

Prepare yourself to travel with her as she chronicles all her experiences - the ups, the downs and the in-between.

I appreciated her vulnerability and how she accepted her mistakes reminding us all that we are not perfect. The book is not only captivating but also rousing, while being cathartic. While you will be glued to this book, take the time to learn from her experiences and truly embrace daily the need to live each day urgently.

The only thing missing for me is her visiting my island home as part of her book tour.
3 people found this helpful
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Kadisha Gordon
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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Bozoma wrote an incredible story of love, lost, and faith. Her writing is impressive and raw. At times she was the protagonist and antagonist character and I connected to both sides.
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Folake Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting!
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
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Can’t remember the last time I read a book in 2.5 days. Couldn’t put it down. And it was on Kindle and not Audible, which usually would help me cheat. I actually read the words.
Riveting!
As a British-Nigerian-American, with roots from Nigeria, I could so relate to the culture.
I understand what having a child does to a marriage, even without looming grief from prior loss. But it was so real and it drew me in so deeply that I was angry at the midpoint of the book.
Why was she so focused on the negatives? My marriage was rocky in those early baby years. But trauma often robs us of perspective. And that’s what I saw looking at the big picture.
But I was so relieved that she finally got it. Illness puts life in perspective. Whether it’s yours or someone else’s close to you.
Gratitude it is.
After a decade of chronic illness, I live life urgently too. But my urgency is in being, not doing. It’s in slowing down to savor each moment. Each experience. In that way, I’m also living the width of my life now and not just the length of it, because for a while, I just knew that length wasn’t going to be for me.
Highly recommended read. 👌🏾
25 people found this helpful
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Olivia
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2023
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I have followed Bozoma’s career and count her as a personal inspiration of mine. I knew little of her personal story and preordered this one right away.

Bozoma tells her story with such raw emotion. I really enjoyed this book for an inside look at this powerhouse of a woman and executive, and a chance to hear her story. This story was uplifting, emotional, heartbreaking, and inspirational all at one. I’d love to write more about it, but my words are failing me and don’t seem to do justice to this book. In short, buy it! A story you won’t soon forget.
9 people found this helpful
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SBH
5.0 out of 5 stars read so smoothly
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
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The story flowed so smoothly. Kept me pulled in because of the choice of words and sentences that were chosen perfectly to tell the story.
One person found this helpful
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Yvonne
5.0 out of 5 stars A vulnerable, beautiful and much needed memoir!
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
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This book was captivating from the first page! You would expect that a memoir from the powerhouse executive that is Bozoma Saint John would be heavily focused on her rise to the top but this was about real and relatable experiences including IMMENSE loss and grief. Her story is inspiring because this is a book about resilience. Moving on in faith and urgency despite the inevitable grief that comes with a journey. This book is a must-read for anyone that has breath! It's compelling, well-written and life-changing!
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational and real
Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Boz is the real boss! I read this book on the train couple times and fought the urge to cry. I almost missed my stop couple times due to its deepened. I have a huge level of respect for her resilience and tenacity. I’m on the journey of living my urgent life .
One person found this helpful
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Lady Bates
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2023
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Thank you for sharing your experience in such raw form. I felt like I was going through some of your many challenging days with you.
Moving forward, I hope to also live my life urgently with my loved ones x
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Ashwini Yelne
5.0 out of 5 stars A sneak peak into love, pain, grief, LIFE
Reviewed in India on June 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
BOZ has had an eventful life and this is such an inspiring biography. She was not served with all fame in a plate but worked towards it in adverse conditions.
Nice book
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
Reviewed in Australia on March 3, 2023
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I love the book and the honest way it is wriiten. Thank you Boz for sharing your story. Your bravery and authenticity ... wow.
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Ihuwizeye Gloria
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read
Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2023
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This is a very beautiful,poignant story about love,losses, grief and still, a story about enjoying life. I follow Bozoma online and I could never imagine that she went through what she went trough because her content is positive,upbeat and lifting.I more than enjoy this book, she is so honest, she doesn’t sugarcoat things and I love it. I highly recommend this book
One person found this helpful
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