Listen to Forest Whitaker, Lee Daniels narrate 'Butler' audiobook

Lee Daniels’ The Butler actors Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, and David Oyelowo, as well as director Lee Daniels, lend their vocal talents to the audiobook version of The Butler: A Witness to History. The film’s inspiration, Wil Haygood’s Washington Post article “A Butler Well Served by This,” has been extended to a full book, available in print, digital, and audiobook form.

The work chronicles the story of Eugene Allen, the real-life man who served as a butler in the White House through eight presidential administrations, from Presidents Truman to Reagan.

Daniels narrates his foreword, whereas Whitaker reads the bulk of the text. Winfrey and Oyelowo narrate an additional essay by Haygood also included in the book that focuses on the history of black images in film and Hollywood.

This exclusive excerpt highlights snippets from the audiobook as well as scenes from the film:

The Butler: A Witness to History is available at major retailers. Lee Daniels’ The Butler hits theaters on Friday.