Take My Word for It

“There’s no longer any need to question whether we have hyperbolized the light we have all claimed is emanating from LeVar Burton, because we now have documentation of the source. This testament proves that Burton is who we think he is, but, more important, who he knows and has willed himself to be: a journeyman, rich in spirit, working and Working. A blessing!”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds

“In this compassionate, vulnerable memoir, a Hollywood legend revisits iconic roles such as Kunta Kinte in 1977’s Roots; Geordi in Star Trek: The Next Generation; and as host of Reading Rainbow, which brought the beauty of books to millions of children. . . . LeVar Burton channeled a painful childhood and his acting ambition into a breakthrough career, even as he struggled with mental-health crises, the challenges of family, and a new calling as a literacy advocate. His mantra: ‘I am first and foremost a citizen of this world.’”—Time

“LeVar Burton’s voice is one of those rare ones that finds you before you find it. He’s spent his life asking us to trust the power of stories. In Take My Word for It, he finally trusts us with his own. This is the man behind Kunta, told with honesty and hard-won warmth. It reads like a long conversation with someone you’ve always wanted to know. Have a seat.”—New York Times bestselling author Nnedi Okorafor

“LeVar Burton’s Take My Word for It is both a gift and an invitation. His reverence, respect, and complete understanding of the power of story permeate this intimate weaving of his own life’s narrative threads. The tapestry created depicts a man in full—spiritual seeker, literacy educator, artistic explorer, social justice warrior, and conscious human. This beautiful book encourages us all to see our lives as aggregates of all those whose struggle and sacrifice brought us into being—and to bear with honor the responsibilities owed to all who will follow.”—Noah Wyle; actor, writer, director

“Take My Word for It is a layered, complex, and beautiful telling of the moments and the people that shaped an iconic figure in our culture. LeVar Burton is one of the most gifted storytellers of the past half century of American life. Here, at last, he has turned his formidable abilities toward what may be the most important story he has told yet—his own.”—Jelani Cobb, author of Three or More Is a Riot

“A disarmingly candid memoir of a lifelong project of personal growth.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In this deeply introspective memoir, Burton shares . . . plenty of humor (such as a very young LeVar insisting to his amused mother that his absent father was actually Peter O’Toole), touching interactions with fans, and cameo appearances from luminaries ranging from Chaka Khan to Audrey Hepburn. All in all, the fascinating, inspiring, and very satisfying memoir fans would hope for from this beloved champion of literacy.”—Booklist, starred review

“This sweet autobiography from Emmy winner Burton offers intriguing reflections on his wide-ranging screen career. . . . his 23 years on Reading Rainbow gave him the credibility to ‘champion the cause of literacy worldwide and to speak out against the scourge of book bans.’ Approachable and charming, this is a treat for the author’s fans.”—Publishers Weekly