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The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club) Paperback – Illustrated, January 26, 2007

by Sidney Poitier (Author)

4.7 3,292 ratings

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"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.

Review

“With the unwavering sense of dignity and worth . . .this man’s authenticity is earned by the life he describes.” — Los Angeles Times

Reading The Measure of a Man is somewhat akin to having a worthwhile conversation with a revered older relative; he doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear, but you appreciate it just the same. — Washington Post

An affecting new memoir. — Dallas Morning News

In this powerful book, [Poitier] shares his touchsotnes with us and makes us question what foundations guide our own lives. — Ebony

Revealing . . . Poitier invites us to re-examine his work and, through it, our history. — New York Times Magazine

Candid memoirs from teh actor who has starred in more than forty movies, directed nine, and written four. — USA Today

Reflective, generous, humane . . . moving . . .[Poitier] writes with vivid emotion. — New York Times Book Review

Having already penned a book about his professsional life, legendary actor Sidney Poitier tackles a greater subject--life itself--with this new spiritual autobiography. — American Way

About the Author

Sidney Poitier was the first black actor to win the Academy Award for best actor for his outstanding performance in Lilies of the Field in 1963. His landmark films include The Defiant Ones, A Patch of Blue, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and To Sir, With Love. He has starred in over forty films, directed nine, and written four. He is the author of two autobiographies: This Life and the "Oprah's Book Club" pick and New York Times bestseller The Measure of a Man. Among many other accolades, Poitier has been awarded the Screen Actors Guild's highest honor, the Life Achievement Award, for an outstanding career and humanitarian accomplishment. He is married, has six daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Print length

272 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 26, 2007
Dimensions

5.31 x 0.63 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0061357901
ISBN-13

978-0061357909
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperSanFrancisco (January 26, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061357901
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061357909
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.63 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #48,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #74 in Fatherhood (Books)
- #425 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #1,473 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 3,292 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

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Martha Carter

Drivers delivered in Excellent condition.

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023

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The media could not be loaded.

This book is our bookclub selection for the month of October. The book took longer to arrive than expected.
Driver did a great job by delivering with care. Kudos to the deliver and the sender.

One person found this helpful

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Waiti

My Soul is No Longer Intellectually and Spritually Starved

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2007

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I missed my chance to have dinner with Mr. Poitier on Oprah's show; they are no longer accepting emails. I had so many comments of interet and questions for Mr. Poitier; for now, I missed my chance - but that is okay. I now get the chance to tell AMAZON exactly what they are offering society in the line of reading material; be proud of your "offering for sale" AMAZON!!

As a product of the Civil Rights Movement and the Revolutionary 60's, Sidney Poitier's MEASURE OF A MAN took the "pain" out of my soul that I knew I had for so many years and did not know why..now, I know.

This man not only guides the King's English in his narrative, he's an archetect of it. Let me explain.

He not only acknowledges the men and women who helped him to make up his mind (smile) to write this masterpiece, he introduces you to them, (no other writer has ever did that), and let's me know exactly who/whom he would trust to ride with him intellectually, Spritually, and comically..

The Measure of a Man not only tells a story, IT TAKES YOU THERE!! I'm there with him when the bigot sheriff stopped him, I'm there with him when he explored the caves, I'm there with him when other greats (such as himself) tried to snub him - Tracy/Hepburn), I'm there when

his parents gave him more than food, shelter, clothing -they gave him a "sense of worth" not only for himself but to be applied to all those he allows in his space.

I am there with him when he turned down the the movie part of a second-class citizen, a man who did not know how to pull himself up by his bootstraps, a man who did not know how to tie a knot at the end of his rope and hang on; I'm there with him when he turned it down because this character -- fictional though he may be - DID NOT MEASURE UP..

I used to wonder why Hollywood never put Mr. Poitier in a film that was less than stellar -- The Measure of a Man has put my soul to rest and answered all my questions about this man known as "Sidney Poitier."

Mr. Poitier, allow me to thank you, allow me to tell you how proud I am of you, allow me to tell you that grammarians have not written the book that comes close to how you express any and all words that you utter in this "growing experience" for everyone, allow me to thank you for expressing out loud what I used to scream in my heart for years but did not know how to say it with passion as opposed to hate. I can hear your soft gazelle-like words, I can hear how I would say it now..God bless you yesterday, today, and tomorrow...Lady"C"

7 people found this helpful

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J. Morgan

Sidney Poitier: The Measure of A Man

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022

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I have loved Sidney Poitier since I first saw him in “To Sir, With Love” back in the late 60s as a teenager. I made it a point to see every movie he ever made. He had such exquisite dignity and he made the people in the roles he played bigger than life. Such depth! I read his book, “The Measure of A Man”, as eagerly as a little kid devours candy. I hung on every word. I wanted so much to know the man I so admired. By the time I finished reading Sidney Poitier’s book, I felt like I had been having a conversation with a friend. I admired him and respected him even more. He was handsome and talented and he deserved to succeed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Sidney Poitier in the movies and to anyone who ever wondered what made him tick. As a teenager, I had a huge crush on him. As an adult, I learned to appreciate him for the fine actor he was. He was the first black man to win the Oscar. I never thought of him as a black man. I thought of him only as a man who was an exceptional actor. After reading his book, I know him to be an exceptional human being as well.

5 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023

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Made for good reading.

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Oglesbysmith

Extraordinarily Wonderful Read

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2022

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Mr. Poitier had a remarkable life. He taught me that my life is remarkable too.
The struggle to live life is what Mr. Poitier says is quite a battle. He realized that he had to recognize what demons he needed to fight and which ones had to stay dormant.
Every person is capable of becoming their highest self. This is a life-long task, however.
I wanted to read more. I felt he wanted to write more. Sometimes a person who writes doesn’t finish they just quit writing.
Very seldom have I read a book and felt like wanting to learn more. Mr. Poitier certainly was a king and I can’t remember anyone acknowledging such greatness.

6 people found this helpful

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Love to Read

Awesome Book!

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022

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I have always admired Mr. Poitier and when he transitioned, Oprah did two specials on him. In the Dinner with Mr. Poitier, his book was discussed, and from the comments of the attendees, I was drawn to purchase this book. It is written by him in total elegance, poignancy and grace! Even the parts of his life that were not great, he tells them in such a magnificent manner that you can almost excuse some of his misgivings. You will find yourself so immersed that you will feel you are there on a daily basis with him going through his struggles and successes. Such a wonderful feeling and book. Every man/child and woman with man/children should read this book. What a wonderful gift, Mr. Poitier. Thank you!

2 people found this helpful

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Maria Blackmore

the amazing,courageous journey of a brave man.

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2022

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Reading this book is entering to the soul of a real man. Trough his book, Sidney Poitier takes us inside himself. Inside the determination and the will of a man that refused to conform and accept the irrational labels and limitations historically imposed to a person of his upbringing. His rebellion and absolute resolve to stand up to life itself. I felt like l was sitting with him just having a long conversation about his journey and with it, having as well, an incredible learning experience. I am happy of having had the opportunity to meet a man of his stature, if only by reading this book.

2 people found this helpful

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Rafael Ladeira

Um bom livro

Reviewed in Brazil on November 2, 2023

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Livro bom que contém uma história de vida interessante.

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Florence M.

Very inspirational.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is for me about the importance of a strong identity and living by your values. Sidney Poitier is a man who did not allow others to define who he is, what he can or cannot do, and what his future holds. Loved this book.

Fred Zibaei

Mr. Poitier

Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

What can i say about Mr. Poitier's book, within the first pages, even before starting to read his letters to his beloved Great Grand daughter, I'm profoundly moved by his thoughts and views. To live life, is not to ask for IT to be easy but to face challenges , embrace them, learn from them but never stop asking questions. Never stop searching and while searching, you will meet other souls who are just as curious as you. Life is about learning, it's about seeing, it's about listening , it's about experiences, it's about sharing, it's about kindness, and it's about Love. Thank you Sir, you have always inspired me and now i have your letters to read over and over, when I feel i'm coming off track. God Bless you.
May

One person found this helpful

Karen Joy

Great Book, Wise Man

Reviewed in Australia on February 6, 2023

Verified Purchase

I have always admired Sidney Poitier and this book confirmed why. He didn't outline all his mistakes in life but he admitted he has imperfections. However in spite of them he was honourable in many ways, especially in supporting his race and never compromising his dignity. A well written book from an amazing man.

Amazon Kunde

Siiney Poitier. The Measure of a Man

Reviewed in Germany on May 23, 2016

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Sidney Poitier. The Measure of a Man

Exzelent als Biografie und auch lesenswert für allegemine und spezielle Politik. Es sollten viele Gegner von Rassismus lesen. Gilt nicht nur für USA, sondern auch für Europa.

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