The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)

Book 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."
âSidney 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 measureâas 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 limitsâhis own and the world's. A triumph of the spirit, The Measure of a Man captures the essential Poitier.

Customer Reviews:

Nice man, wandering story..........2007-10-04

I had to force myself to finish this book, simply because I didn't want to waste my money by leaving it when I was tempted to. It was interesting to realize that an actor whose work I had appreciated came from such a spare beginning, but by halfway through the book, the continuous wandering asides and disclaimers of the author so overwhelmed the narrative that I could barely tolerate it. It seems to me that the story could have been told to greater effect with half the words!

****LOVED IT****.......2007-09-24

Kept me interested...I really enjoyed this book...I couldn't put the book down until I finished reading it!!!!

MEASURE OF A MAN does not measure up.......2007-09-21

Wow, a book about Sidney Poitier. An outstanding actor with a book that just does not give him true justice. The reading tends to be dry and lacks substance. His life struggles could have been the story of any man or woman, black or white. The writing and editing are weak in some sections.

You should rent or buy one of Poitier's movies instead. His movie roles show his true skills.

SPIRITUAL "Of, Relating to, Consisting of, or Affecting the Spirit" MERRIAM-WEBSTER.......2007-08-30

I've always been smitten with Poitier's voice--his diction and control on film, the flow of his words as they travel in and around ideas during interviews--so I read THE MEASURE OF A MAN with an ear for his voice. I wondered, Is it translatable to print? It is, but that means allowing Poitier's thoughts to meander until they find their point, and that his thoughts are less formulated (or formal) and more "in his own words," than they might be if they were written by a biographer. (I read just enough "You know?"s "You hear me when I tell you?"s and "You follow?"s to feel like he was talking to me, but not too many to be annoyed.) I read to imagine what it might be like to have a conversation with Poitier. The book reinforced what I already knew--I'd be as intimidated as heck--but it also gave me the courage to think I'd be able to speak my mind.

As an editor, I read Poitier's book because I wanted to know how he defines a "spiritual" autobiography. Is it a I-Was-A-Sinner-But-I-Found-Jesus-And-Now-I'm-Saved chronology? Is it about how Christianity or another faith influenced his life? Neither. Poitier examines the people, events, circumstances, beliefs, and so on, which have related to, consisted of, or affected his "spirit," and, in doing so, he writes about childhood experiences in the Bahamas, his changing perceptions of his parents, how he adapts to living in the United States, his approach to acting and filmmaking, and his attitude toward fatherhood. He also shares a debate a friend and he had about the Basic Truth of Nature, a debate worth every second of reading it takes to get to.

Is THE MEASURE OF A MAN going to satisfy readers interested only in Poitier's film career? No, but I urge them to read it anyway, if for no other reason than to find out how his "spirit" influenced the films he starred in.

Books.......2007-08-21

I purchased this book for my daughter and she loved it!
She is a teacher and plans to teach this story in her English class fall 2007.
A great story with a great moral.

The Measure Of A Man - A Spiritual Autobiography

Average customer rating:

profound
An Insightful Autobiography
A True and Honest Measure of Oneself
A story well told
Insightful into a surprisingly diverse number of areas

The Measure Of A Man - A Spiritual Autobiography
Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: Harper-san Francisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0062516078

Amazon.com

Sidney Poitier wrote The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography because he "felt called to write about certain values, such as integrity and commitment, faith and forgiveness, about the virtues of simplicity, about the difference between 'amusing ourselves to death' and finding meaningful pleasures--even joy." Yet Poitier's book does not speak from on high; its tone is conversational and endearingly self-critical. He begins the first chapter by recounting an evening spent channel-surfing and wondering, as most of us do at one time or another, "What am I doing with my time?" The spiritual reflections in The Measure of a Man are nonsectarian; Poitier's faith is clearly influenced by his experience in Christian churches, but he is not, strictly, Christian. Though idiosyncratic, his faith is disciplined and rigorous, informed by leaders as diverse as Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Poitier's love--for himself, his family, and the world--infuses his recollections of his early life on Cat Island in the Bahamas and his memories of his stage and film career (including his Oscar-winning role in Lilies of the Field). Poitier has been rich and poor; he has been popular and despised; and his extremely varied experiences have made him a wise man, as he demonstrates with statements like this one: "[W]hat we do is stay within the context of what's practical, what's real, what dreams can be fashioned into reality, what values can send us to bed comfortably and make us courageous enough to face our end with character."

Book 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 the contrary, I began this book as an exploration, an exercise in selfquestioning. 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."

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 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 selfworth 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 who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful, and lasting about the human condition.

Here, finally, is Poitier's own introspective look at what has informed his performances and his life. Poitier explores the nature of sacrifice and commitment, pride and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity, What emerges is a picture of a man seeking truth, passion, and balance 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.

Customer Reviews:

profound.......2007-08-13

An humbling read in deed...this is a man with a profound sense of self,I'll come back to this book often in the years to come.

An Insightful Autobiography.......2007-05-07

Learn about the man behind the great actor and storyteller who captivates audiences on the big screen.

A True and Honest Measure of Oneself.......2006-03-18

Sidney Poitier has always been one of my favorite actors and he has meant so much to me personally as a lover of the cinema. He is one out of a handful I can say that about. His autobiography is impressive and he is ever so modest about many of his accomplishments.

Sidney Poitier is one of America's greatest screen actors, a multi facetted practitioner of the performing arts and a true humanitarian. Not only did he portray men of humanity with a sense of dignified morality but his own career as a black actor broke racial barriers that ran parallel with the perception and acceptance of blacks in American films.

The beginnings of Sidney Poitier's big break into theatre and films have always seemed sketchy and are slightly different depending on what sources are available. However several events do seem to stand out and these lend credence to Poitier's place as a humanitarian because the poverty, the racial prejudices and the people that helped start his career were never forgotten. Sidney Poitier was understudying Harry Belefonte in the play "Days of our Youth" while working at the American Negro Theater. It does seem likely that he filled in for Belefonte for several performances at which he gained experience and proficiency through Belefonte's assistance. After several more productions and a national tour of "Days of Our Youth" Poitier got his first staring film role two years later in 1950's NO WAY OUT with Richard Widmark and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. This is a role that his good friend Harry Belafonte said put the truth about black people on the screen for millions to see due to Poitier's brilliant performance as a young good natured yet morally strong doctor pitted against bigoted Widmark.

Throughout the fifties, Sidney Poitier made some very important films in the history of cinema and some that were controversial during their time. BLACKBOARD JUNGLE made in 1955 was a realistic look at adolescence contempt for society at an inner city trade school for delinquent boys. Glenn Ford played a new teacher who decides that his only chance of teaching the boys anything is to reach the roughest boy of the bunch played by Sidney Poitier. Poitier gave a brilliant performance as the one youth that new true right from wrong and only used his tough facade to survive in a world of his peers where he would otherwise have been the low man on the rung. 1958's THE DEFIANT ONES directed by the progressive filmmaker Stanley Kramer was an engrossing story of two escaped prisoners, Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, who must overcome issues of race in their struggle for freedom from police in the deep South. Sidney Poitier was nominated for an Academy Award.

In 1961 Sidney Poitier starred in A RAISIN IN THE SUN from Lorraine Hansberry's play, the first by a black playwright to show on Broadway. It was about a black Chicago family's attempts to make a better life against the many problems they faced both from within and from outside their household. In 1962 Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award for Best Actor for director Ralph Nelson's LILIES OF THE FIELD. Poitier played the handyman stranger who helps build a chapel for German-speaking nuns in the American southwest. Just prior to LILIES OF THE FIELD Poitier made PRESSURE POINT produced by Stanley Kramer. It was an intelligent drama based on a true case, with Poitier playing a prison psychiatrist trying to search out the problems of his deranged Nazi patient played by Bobby Darin. This was one of Poitier's best performances but the film has been long forgotten.

By 1965 Sidney Poitier was truly becoming a mainstream actor and his race seemed to play a minor factor in the characters he was portraying. In 1965 he made THE BEDFORD INCIDENT, THE SLENDER THREAD, A PATCH OF BLUE and appeared in George Stevens' THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD. In 1966 he starred in Ralph Nelson's DUEL AT DIABLO a violent tale about bigotry between whites and Indians out west. However, 1967's GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER directed by Stanley Kramer involved the first interracial kiss in screen history. Some reviewers criticized the film's story of interracial romance, as being unrealistic since Poitier played a black man who had such impeccable credentials race was hardly a factor. Kramer pointed out that that was his point. He wanted to put Poitier and his fiancée on an even playing field where their only differences could only be the color of their skin. Therefore, was there really a difference?

In 1967 Norman Jewison's IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT Poitier plays a black big-city black detective who assists redneck Southern sheriff Rod Steiger solve a murder. This is an excellent film and makes a great social commentary on color, respect and friendship. It also contains an innovative score by Quincy Jones. This film is a modern classic and is still powerful today. In 1967's TO SIR WITH LOVE, written and directed in Britain by James Clavell, Poitier plays a West Indian teacher to a bunch of tough East End teenagers who becomes successful and reaches them by teaching the class about survival in the real world. Poitier was and remains a force to be reckoned with.

Sidney Poitier helped change many persistent racial attitudes that had persisted in this country for centuries by the image he projected on and off the screen and the very life that he has lived. He has opened the doors for countless artists in succeeding generations. He is an actor who stood and still stands for hope, for excellence, and who has given happiness and the will to persevere in questionable times to millions of people around the world.

A story well told.......2006-01-15

Sidney Poitier's autobiography illuminates not only why he is true hollywood royalty, but why he is also to be considered a royal man. There is nothing pompous or egotistical about his journey from the island to Hollywood, but rather it is a very human story told with humility and grace.

Insightful into a surprisingly diverse number of areas.......2005-07-09

Poitier recounts his very humble childhood on Cat Island in the Bahamas. He then tells us stories about coming to the USA, making it into Hollywood, his experience with racism and civil rights, his reflections on life and spirituality, and the making of his movies. The book is a little uneven: I loved his stories about getting started in acting and making his films, while I got impatient with some of his thoughts on the nature of the world. But overall, this memoir is insightful and entertaining.

He provides an engaging narrative of the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of black artists in show business. He gives a powerful example as he tells the story of refusing a film because it would have betrayed the values that his father taught him, and of how that refusal ultimately led to his Hollywood career taking off. He also entertains with anecdotes about his experiences with Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Harry Belafonte, Carl Sagan, and many others. Shortly after watching his film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, I read the story of how that film got made and enjoyed the insight that story provided.

Along the way, Poitier shares some wonderful insights about life and culture, progress and overconsumption.

If you have any opportunity to listen to this book on tape, I recommend it. Poitier reads the entire book himself, and his voice and intonation would make this worth listening to even if the memoir were less good than it is.

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Slums To Stardom On Sheer Willpower
it is difficult to believe that this book went out of print
It is difficult to believe this book went out of print

This Life
Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: Alfred a Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0394505492

Customer Reviews:

Slums To Stardom On Sheer Willpower.......2007-01-30

"This Life," Sidney Poitier's first autobiography, makes it clear that Poitier, the much-honored, Oscar-winning, world-famous movie star, has had quite a life. He was born, premature and tiny, not expected to live, in Miami, last of seven living children of Reginald and Evelyn Poitier, dirt-poor Bahamian tomato farmers. Spent his young years on little Cat Island, in the Bahamas. Thrown into the ocean at ten months again and again "like a sack of garbage," because Cat Island children had to swim. Swimming underwater, down a dark and terrifying drainage ditch-- in which the tide should have killed him-- at five because he wanted to. Trying voodoo at nine to catch the attention of a certain eleven year old girl.

Then at eleven, unprepared, to Nassau, where he sees his first movies, and flirts with life on the wrong side of the law. On to Miami, where racism shocks him, and he learns to drive cars by smashing them up in parking lots. To New York at sixteen, where he overdoses on Broadway, elevators, the subway, hot dogs, and malted milk, and washes dishes for a living. His first winter is so cold -- he never heard of winter-- that he joins the army underage to get warm. Gets out by acting crazy.

Auditions for his first acting job because The American Negro Theatre's notice was next to a dishwashing job in "The Amsterdam News," N.Y.'s black newspaper. He didn't know what an actor was, but it sounded like a better job to him. Hooted off the stage because of his inability to read, and his thick West Indian accent. In pride and rage, he breaks the accent by buying a radio and singing along-- "If it said, 'This is WOR bringing you the news,' then I would say 'This is WOR bringing you the news.'" He was taught to read by an elderly Jewish waiter-- to whom he sends his thanks here-- on breaks from dishwashing. Then the long struggle up, so few jobs for black actors then.

At last, harnessing the anger caused by his upbringing in "The Defiant Ones," "In The Heat of the Night," "Blackboard Jungle,""To Sir With Love," "Lilies of the Field," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Bulldozing his way to that Oscar, and opening up a path for the black actors who followed: he never has forgotten his concern for his people: it informs "This Life." And succeeding in making a happy family life for himself, too.

it is difficult to believe that this book went out of print.......2001-09-20

Poitier's biography is one of bitter sweet humorous at times and seriously moraled at others. His life story rivals that of his films. His dirt poor up bringing with feelings of embarassment, pride, and humility to his success story and subsequent feelings of energeticness, ....pride...and yes humility is one that is under-rated and underappreciated. It just the kind of story that the world needs now.

It is difficult to believe this book went out of print.......2001-09-15

Poitier's biography is one of bitter sweet humorous at times and
seriously moraled at others. His life story rivals that of his films. His dirt poor up bringing with feelings of embarassment, pride, and humility to his success story and subsequent feelings of energeticness, ....pride...and yes humility is one that is under-rated and underappreciated. It just the kind of story that the world needs now.

Average customer rating:

Stands the test of time
Perfect
One of two books I'll be using for Greek myths
Highly Recommended For All Ages
Not Free SF Reader

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Ingri Parin D'Aulaires , Edgar Parin D'Aulaires , Ingri D'Aulaires , and Edgar D'Aulaires
Manufacturer: Airplay Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1885608152

Amazon.com

No education is complete without a large slice of Greek mythology. And there's no better way of meeting that literary quota than with the D'Aulaires' book. All the great gods and goddesses of ancient Greece are depicted in this big, beautiful classic, lovingly illustrated and skillfully told. Young readers will be dazzled by mighty Zeus, lord of the universe; stirred by elegant Athena, goddess of wisdom; intimidated by powerful Hera, queen of Olympus; and chilled by moody Poseidon, ruler of the sea. These often impetuous immortals flounce and frolic, get indiscreet, and get even. From petty squabbles to heroic deeds, their actions cover the range of godly--and mortal--personalities.

The D'Aulaires' illustrations have a memorable quality: once pored over, they will never leave the minds of the viewer. Decades later, the name Gaea will still evoke the soft green picture of lovely Mother Earth, her body hills and valleys and her eyes blue lakes reflecting the stars of her husband, Uranus the sky. No child is too young to appreciate the myths that have built the foundation for much of the world's art and literature over the centuries. This introduction to mythology is a treasure. (Ages 10 to adult) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews:

Stands the test of time.......2007-09-18

I checked this book out of the library so many times as a kid. Now that I have kids, I checked it out once to see if they were interested. They weren't! But a little later they started catching on, so I bought a copy and now we are wearing it out! I find the layout handy- it leads from one story to another by way of family relations. That's a great natural story telling style. I also find that it serves as a gentle way to alert soft hearted kids to the possibility of violence in this world. It raises issues about life and death and the humor in all of it. We can read or not read as it suits us, and we can discuss and digest and ask questions. The colors and pictures give pause for thought all by themselves. The stories are in better detail than any other myth book I had come across, but then I am biased here.
It's great sharing reading with kids.

Perfect.......2007-09-15

For my money, *D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths* is *the* indispensable book of childhood. Every young person should have this in their home library.

One of two books I'll be using for Greek myths.......2007-09-14

I read four books of Greek myths to decide which one to use for my 7-year-olds. This book contains a much greater number of myths than most and the illustrations help to hold interest. The stories are detailed without being too detailed for children. I appreciated their use of language - it didn't feel dumbed down, and still retained an ancient feel. It can be used as a great read-aloud or given to a child to read on their own (I'd say 3rd grade at least). We'll be using this book along with Classic Myths to Read Aloud by William Russell.

Highly Recommended For All Ages.......2007-09-05

I read this book when I was very young. I was probably 8 or 9 years old. It was at a time when I loved reading about anything involving Greek mythology. Hands down, this had to have been my favorite book to read about the Titans, Hera's jealousy and even Heracles to name a few topics.

The book has a very unique illustration style. It's kind of plain but fits well with the content. The writing is awesome, and each story is conveyed to the nearest truth. Most if not all the major gods are present along with their biographies.

I've read many reviews saying it's mainly for the kids, but if you love Greek mythology as much as I do, then this book is ideal for you. I'm an adult and still love this book. If you're still a young person, pick up the book and discover the magic behind Greek mythology.

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A reasonably gentle and good introduction to Greek mythology, with some pictures to add to the entertainment. Here you get the stories of Zeus, of Athena and Apollo, not to mention Hercules and all the other gods and goddesses and the mortals and others that they chase, fall in love with, do bad things to or any of that sort of stuff.

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A detailed and insightful portrait of the man
Don't stop at the autobiography . . .

Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon
Aram Goudsouzian
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0807828432
Release Date: 2003-12-03

Book Description

In the first full biography of actor Sidney Poitier, Aram Goudsouzian analyzes the life and career of a Hollywood legend, from his childhood in the Bahamas to his 2002 Oscar for lifetime achievement. Poitier is a gifted actor, a great American success story, an intriguing personality, and a political symbol; his life and career illuminate America's racial history.

In such films as Lilies of the Field, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Poitier's middle-class, mannered, virtuous screen persona contradicted prevailing film stereotypes of blacks as half-wits, comic servants, or oversexed threats. His screen image and public support of nonviolent integration assuaged the fears of a broad political center, and by 1968, Poitier was voted America's favorite movie star.

Through careful readings of every Poitier film, Goudsouzian shows that Poitier's characters often made sacrifices for the good of whites and rarely displayed sexuality. As the only black leading man during the civil rights era, Poitier chose roles and public positions that negotiated the struggle for dignity. By 1970, times had changed and Poitier was the target of a backlash from film critics and black radicals, as the new heroes of "blaxploitation" movies reversed the Poitier model.

In the 1970s, Poitier shifted his considerable talents toward directing, starring in, and producing popular movies that employed many African Americans, both on and off screen. After a long hiatus, he returned to starring roles in the late 1980s. More recently, the film industry has reappraised his career, and Poitier has received numerous honors recognizing his multi-faceted work for black equality in Hollywood. As this biography affirms, Poitier remains one of American popular culture's foremost symbols of the possibilities for and limits of racial equality.

Customer Reviews:

A detailed and insightful portrait of the man.......2007-02-04

Those who came of age after Poitier had receded from the spotlight (such as me) would do well to read Goudsouzian's thoughtful and well researched book. It was a fascinating trip to discover an icon who has been ignored in today's times despite deserving many more accolades than he has been given. What is most compelling about the book, though, is the author's skill in placing his subject in historical context, without which the story would be incomplete. I agree with the previous reviewer -- let's hope Oprah's spotlight on Poitier reflects some light on Goudsouzian as well.

Don't stop at the autobiography . . ........2007-01-27

Always suspicious of autobiographies, I picked up a copy of "Man, Actor, Icon" for a historian's take on this legend of the Silver Screen. And this book certainly does not disappoint. I strongly and sincerely recommend Dr. Goudsouzian's book for people who truly aspire to understand Sidney Poitier's place in history.

This work provides its readers with an eloquent and even-handed record of the life and times of its subject. Goudsouzian's work effectively sketches Poitier's place in a broader historical context - a history of African Americans, of film, of race, of tolerance and of America as a whole. I applaud the author for so eloquently piecing together the life and times of such a notoriously private individual. To see the movies is one thing. To read the autobiography is another. But to actually appreciate what this man has meant, what he endured and the legacy that he has created, one needs an accurate idea of the historical settings and prevailing attitudes that put Poitier's actions and accomplishments in the proper context. Goudsouzian delivers on all counts.

Many thanks to Oprah for bringing much-deserved attention to one of America's more unheralded icons. To really appreciate the man behind the screen, "The Measure of a Man" is a wonderful start. But to truly grasp how such an influential figure was rejected, lauded, embraced, used and again overlooked - all in a single lifetime - this book will provide you with all you need to form your own opinion of the measure of this man, this Sidney Poitier.

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The Measure of a Man
Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography

ASIN: 074340386X

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The Measure Of A Man - A Spiritual Autobiography
Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: Harper-san Francisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P3YDYQ

The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Biography

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The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Biography
Sidney Poitier
Manufacturer: Harper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NIKYA0

The long journey: A biography of Sidney Poitier

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The long journey: A biography of Sidney Poitier
Carolyn H Ewers
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)

ASIN: B0007DUGQS

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Not just for kids

Sidney Poitier (Black American Series)
Carol Bergman
Manufacturer: Holloway House Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon

ASIN: 0870675664

Customer Reviews:

Not just for kids.......1998-08-24

Coretta Scott King's Line of books of famous black profiles is traditionally written for the audience of adolescents, yet benefitial to older teens and adults as an introduction. Sidney Poitier's biography is no exception. The book opens with the humble man's modest beginnings as a West Indian export. His bittersweet struggle to curve his accent by immitating radio disc jockeys provides the drama that movies are made of. While the sibling-type rivalry between he and Harry Belfonte are bypassed in this forum, this reader encourages further reading on the actor. In light of scarse availablity of 1970's Poitier biographies, this l980's work becomes even more important in preserving a wonderful "Journey"(reference to the out of print Poitier biography "Long Journey").

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