Elizabeth Edwards on Oprah today discussing her new book! [View All]

[ultraist]

Elizabeth Edwards will be on Oprah today, September 27, discussing her newly released book, "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers." http://www.randomhouse.com/broadway/savinggraces/index.html

In “Saving Graces,” Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, has written of life on the campaign trail, of losing their son Wade due to an auto accident, and of her courageous fight against breast cancer.

Elizabeth discovered a lump just weeks before the 2004 General Election. In Chapter One of her book, she describes that day, a day expected to be an “ordinary day,” but turned out to be one where “careful pieces of life can break away and shatter.”

To read an excerpt from Chapter One click here: http://oneamericacommittee.com/saving-graces/

About eight days after discovering the lump and returning home to North Carolina, Elizabeth made that dreaded visit to the doctor. In this audio (http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780739334126) Elizabeth beautifully narrates an excerpt from her book, which offers a deeply personal description of the moments she experienced that day in North Carolina. Amidst a time of darkness and uncertainty, Elizabeth’s strength, hope and determination shines through.

Elizabeth was formally diagnosed just one day after her husband’s 2004 campaign ended. The day his campaign ended, her fight began (http://www.nypost.com/seven/09212006/news/nationalnews/the_day_his_campaign_ended__her_fight__began_nationalnews_lukas_i__alpert.htm). Always the fighter, Elizabeth entered the battle, determined to win: ”I went into it thinking, ‘I’ll beat this thing!” she said. “A few times I fell apart. But John was always there by my side.”

Elizabeth went on to endure 16 weeks of chemotherapy, lumpectomy surgery, radiation therapy and lymph node removal. She is now cancer-free.

In her first interview since her diagnosis, in the October 2 issue of People magazine (http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1537481,00.html) Elizabeth stated that she wanted to share her story with others because, "People may not have the sense of what women juggling so many things go through when they have cancer," "I wanted to open the door."

Elizabeth has emerged from cancer with grace (http://www.newsobserver.com/643/story/463236.html) and is becoming engaged again in the public political dialogue. In her typical straightforward fashion, Elizabeth recently commented on Lieberman’s betrayal to the Democratic Party: ”Let me be clear-we cannot have this.” She went on to question what kind of Democrat would not support the primary winner after he was defeated. Elizabeth possesses a keen ability to cut to the chase and has been described by a former colleague as having an intellect that is a "weapon of mass destruction” in a courtroom.

Elizabeth undoubtedly, is also a down earth, “every woman.” Theresa Heinz Kerry described Elizabeth as having a “mother earth quality, that is, her grounding in a life familiar to most Americans: raising kids, coaching soccer, volunteering at school, struggling with her weight, juggling work and family" (http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-07-11-elizabeth-edwards_x.htm).

Elizabeth truly is an “every woman”… she even blogs and has posted here on DU numerous times! In fact, Elizabeth is very involved in the blogosphere. This year, she attended The Personal Democracy Forum (http://www.personaldemocracy.com/node/901) and on October 14th, Elizabeth will lead a session at the upcoming Converge South Blogger, Podcast, Videocast Conference in Greenboro, NC (http://www.convergesouth.com).

For more on Elizabeth Edwards: http://oneamericacommittee.com/about/elizabeth/

For more on Elizabeth’s book: http://www.randomhouse.com/broadway/savinggraces/index.html (Elizabeth shares favorite photos, a letter of welcome, and her gracious humor).

Elizabeth's Book Tour Schedule: http://www.randomhouse.com/broadway/savinggraces/appearances.html