Oprah Winfrey Chooses 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle as Her New Book Club Selection

A Live Interactive Worldwide Web Event and Book Club First: Oprah Joins Author to Teach a 10-Week Webcast Series of Classes on Oprah.com

WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2008, Chicago, IL — "Being able to share this material with you is a gift and a part of the fulfillment of my life's purpose," Oprah Winfrey said on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, as she revealed the 61st Oprah's Book Club selection, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. She added, "It was an awakening for me that I want for you, too."

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For the first time ever, readers around the world will be able to participate in a free, live interactive classroom discussion led by Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle. Each weekly class will correspond to a chapter from A New Earth, with the discussion focusing on the chapter's themes. The 10 weekly sessions will be webcast every Monday night from March 3 through May 5 at 9/8c. To pre-register for the class, log onto www.oprah.com/anewearth.

Published in 2005, A New Earth encourages a collective sense of commitment to changing the way we live for people who want to make a difference. With the knowledge that we live in a time desperate for global change, the book by renowned spiritual teacher Tolle answers the question: What can one person do to enact that change? With clarity and in practical terms, he gently leads readers to a new level of consciousness, awakening them to their lives' purposes and inviting them to envision a new earth where peace and fellowship are the norm.

A New Earth is published internationally in the English language by Penguin Group, one of the world's premier global consumer trade book publishers. The 10-part interactive Web event is a pioneering venture that will have the potential to reach an unprecedented number of readers in all English-language territories far and wide. With key market positions in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Canada, India, China, New Zealand and Ireland, Penguin Group will be able to share this Oprah's Book Club selection with a worldwide audience.

John Makinson, Penguin Group Chairman and CEO, commented, "Penguin is one of the world's few truly global publishers, and all of us are honored to be working with Ms. Winfrey on this ground-breaking project. A New Earth is an unforgettable manifesto for a better way of life. Its message reaches across boundaries to illuminate and enrich the human spirit everywhere. Eckhart Tolle teaches us to change the way we view the world and make connections to each other."

Oprah's Book Club works with the American Library Association (ALA) to distribute thousands of free Book Club selections donated by each publisher to school, public and community college libraries nationwide. The Chicago-based ALA, www.ala.org, is the oldest and largest library association in the world with more than 64,000 members.

As the biggest book club in the world, Oprah's Book Club has approximately 1 million online members. Each of its selections have skyrocketed to the top of best-sellers lists. Enrollment is free and provides members with access to benefits such as online discussion groups, reading questions and Q&A sessions with the author. To join, log on to www.oprah.com/bookclub.

The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 21 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.* It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 212 domestic markets by CBS Television Distribution Group and to 135 countries by CBS Paramount International Television.

About Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a contemporary spiritual teacher who is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. In his writing and seminars, he conveys a simple yet profound message with the timeless and uncomplicated clarity of the ancient spiritual masters: There is a way out of suffering and into peace. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, he travels extensively, taking his teachings throughout the world.

* Nielsen Cassandra Ranking Report—November '86 to July '99 and Wrap Sweeps, November '99 to July '07. Primary Telecasts Only.

Source: Harpo Productions, Inc.