Product Description''I have no wish to play the pontificating fool, pretending that I’ve suddenly come up with the answers to all life’s questions. Quite that contrary, I began this book as an exploration, an exercise in self-questing. In other words, I wanted to find out, as I looked back at a long and complicated life, with many twists and turns, how well I’ve done at measuring up to the values I myself have set.'' --Sidney Poitier
In this luminous memoir, a true American icon looks back on his celebrated life and career. His body of work is arguably the most morally significant in cinematic history, and the power and influence of that work are indicative of the character of the man behind the many storied roles. Sidney Poitier here explores these elements of character and personal values to take his own measure -- as a man, as a husband and a father, and as an actor.
Poitier credits his parents and his childhood on tiny Cat Island in the Bahamas for equipping him with the unflinching sense of right and wrong and of self-worth that he has never surrendered and that have dramatically shaped his world. ''In the kind of place where I grew up,'' recalls Poitier, ''what’s coming at you is the sound of the sea and the smell of the wind and momma’s voice and the voice of your dad and the craziness of your brothers and sisters … and that’s it.'' Without television, radio, and material distractions to obscure what matters most, he could enjoy the simple things, endure the long commitments, and find true meaning in his life.
Poitier was uncompromising as he pursued a personal and public life that would honor his upbringing and the invaluable legacy of his parents. Just a few years after his introduction to indoor plumbing and the automobile, Poitier broke racial barrier after racial barrier to launch a pioneering acting career. Committed to the notion that what one does for a living articulates to who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful, and lasting about the human condition.
Here is Poitier’s own introspective look at what has informed his performances and his life. Poitier explores the nature of sacrifice and commitment, price and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity. What emerges is a picture of a man in the face of limits – his own and the world’s. A triumph of the spirit, The Measure of a Man captures the essential Poitier.
What Others Say
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Racism Goes Both Ways...
I understand that Poitier experienced discrimination in his youth and I don't wish to discount that fact. But with that said, all of us face discrimination at some point in our lives. I remember visiting a movie theater in a town not far from my home town. My friend and I were 16 years old and knew nothing about racism; we hated no one. We bought our tickets and sat at the front of the theater, excited to see the movie. We talked amongst ourselves, not paying attention to our surroundings. Next thing we knew, the theater was full of black people. Three or four young black men surrounded us and began to harass us. We were scared to death. They blocked the isle so that we could not leave and the entire theater chanted, yelled and laughed ... Read More
Sir Sidney Poitier
His roles in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and To Sir, with Love (1967) were for their time landmarks in the breaking down of social barriers between blacks and whites, and Poitier's talent, conscience, integrity, and inherent likability placed him on equal footing with the white stars of the day. He took on directing and producing chores in the Seventies, achieving success in both arenas. Although he has reduced the frequency of his roles in recent years, he remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in American cinema of the twentieth century.
It was boring!
He has a nice voice, but he's boring. My husband was listening and gave up on the CD about an hour before me. I tried to stick with it...but after a while I felt as though I was watching grass grow. It was a total waste of money in my opinion.
Enjoyable read, focusing on life - not Hollywood
I very much enjoyed The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club). The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club) focuses on his life, and his decision-making, and what he has learned through the journey. It is a good way to get some biographical information about him, and to see him as a real person - a normal person, not an actor. If you are looking for a lot of tidbits about his acting career, you might want to try another book. The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club) touches on those things, but it is not the focus. Very good read.
