Rating: 
Summary: A great book by a great actor...
Review: I didn't know that Sidney Poitier had written a book until I saw the commercial for the "Oprah" show. I decided to tune in to see the interview, and found that Mr. Poitier was a very wise person. So, I decided to get the book, and I was not disappointed.Poitier's prose is very much like a friend having a discussion with you over a cup of coffee -- more like a conversation with an intimate friend, rather than just a written record of his life and career. There is much wisdom here -- from his early beginnings on a small island in the Bahamas, he learned quite a bit about life and living. He has carried this knowledge throughout his life, and he now shares it with us. It's hard to know a person just from the movies he makes. Mr. Poitier's body of work speaks volumes -- and so does this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Measure of a Man
Review: Wonderful. Mr. Poitier not only provides a full recounting of his personal history, but also a unique perspective on the cultural, economic, religious, theatrical and ethnic worlds that he has inhabited--and in no small measure has contributed to. Here is a fully mature, deeply thoughtful, yet highly entertaining introspection that goes beyond platitudes right to the heart of so many of the painful, joyful, hilarious, embarassing, proud, and deeply moving events of a life fully and unapologetically lived. Poitier pulls no punches; where he was thrilled by one of life's joyous moments, he lets us know; where he was furious with one of the too-frequent insults delivered so casually to people of color, we learn that as well. One of the unexpected pleasures for me came because I bought the unabridged audiotape. I highly recommend this version. An actor of incomparable talent, Mr. Poitier brings to his readings decades of experience in delivering powerful ideas in a captivating style, made all the more potent because these are the memories that have been his ever-present touchstones. As we move through life, we tend to discard most of our early models as we discover faults that diminish their aura. The world would do well to consider Mr. Poitier as an antidote to these false models. He makes no pretense of perfection, and indeed embraces his faults and more importantly the lessons he has learned from them. This awareness of frailty, as much as the considerable strength of character he has displayed, is, in the end, the real "Measure of a Man."
Rating:
Summary: Above all, a man...
Review: As with his first autobiography, This Life, I found I could not put this book down, and finished it in one evening. There is much overlap between the two books, especially in the beginning. However his growth as a writer and as a human being comes through in this new work, and the last chapters especially provide a glimpse into the mind and heart of this amazing man. His talent as an actor is without question. But many talented actors do not make it in Hollywood. And of those that do, many do not have the character and stamina to fashion a career and a life of this caliber. How did he develop from a poor, uneducated, illiterate boy in the Bahamas to an American Film Legend and civil rights champion? The answer, quite simply, is strength of will and strength of spirit. And he describes both in this book, in a manner that proves irresistable and inspirational. One theme that stands out is his description of the many foolish and risky decisions he made in his life which on many occasions might have lead to his untimely death, or at the very least led him away from his calling as an actor. How fortunate for us that they did not! This book is a supreme example of the perserverance of the human spirit, of the value of human life, and the importance of following one's dreams. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: So much potential...
Review: At the time I picked up this book, I had not even seen a movie starring Sidney Poitier - but I was intrigued by what I percieved to be the subject of the book - "what it takes to be a man of principle" through the eyes of a successful actor who has overcome many obstacles. Essentially, this is what I think the author had in mind, but he falls way short. The book is less of a chronological, factual autobiography (which I think he has already written), and more of a loosely linked group of anecdotes about certain decisions and experiences, all explaining how Mr. Poitier clung to his morals and ideals through it all. While there are a few (very few) moments of clarity, from which the reader can take something away, for the most part the book is muddled and confusing and falls way short of it's potential to tell an intriguing story. One of the main reasons for this is that the book reads like the author sat down with a scribe for a few sessions and just free assosiated his thoughts. There is no logical chronology, development of relationships, or clear theme established. During the time that I was reading this book, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was on television. The movie was excellent, and I understood how strong Mr. Poitier must be to have made difficult career choices under extreme social pressure. However, his book reads much like an unedited first draft of a book that had a lot of potential.
Rating:
Summary: Pulitzer Prize Material
Review: "Measure of a Man" answers many of the questions I formed as I watched Sidney Poitier's great films through the years. Questions like "How does he see himself in this particular role, what is he thinking?" The expression on his face or sometimes the twinkle in his eye led to these questions. One just knew he was thinking deeply. And so he was. In this "spiritual autobiography" he tells all. How he prepared for the role - what he was thinking himself and what he was thinking as the character and how he viewed the world around him. He begins by going back to his early times with his family on Cat Island in the Bahamas. He takes the reader with him and you can almost hear the ocean waves, see his simple home and feel the air around him. You can hear the musical lilt of the voices for throughout the book he softens his narration by sprinkling it with words used by the islanders. Once he was drawn to acting as a way to make a living, he insisted on roles that were meaningful and that would reflect the values instilled in him by his parents. Rexamine his films such as "A Patch of Blue", "The Defiant Ones", and "Lillies of the Field" and ask yourself if he succeeded. IMHO he did! He is always candid and seems to invite the reader into dialog with him. He scrupulously examines and shares his own role in the history of race relations in our country. His philosopical attempt to examine his own life and a serious dialog with a good friend led him to suggestions for the way we can all best live our lives and avoid dead-end existential thinking. His attempt is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize I would add. One cannot come away without looking anew at the universe we share. He acknowledges his mentors, such as Paul Robeson and Harry Belefonte, more than once. He also shares his "mea culpa" moments concerning his family. He once desired to have a one-man show based on his life but it didn't work out. I believe this book is a great creative replacement for that wish that didn't come true. Coincidentally, in this book there is enough information on acting to satisfy any young thespian eager to grow in ability. Each time I had to leave this book, I was very eager to return to it. The only way I can think that the book could have been perfect would be for him to have removed the few conversational expletives. They aren't necessary to the intimacy of the autobiography. The writing itself does that perfectly.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I am toward the end of "The Measure of a Man" by Sidney Poitier. As much as I love Mr. Poitier, I am disappointed with this book. I agree with Diane24, Mr. Poitier is holding back. I've gone from page to page hoping that he will reveal more of his experiences as an adult and child on a more personal level. He has left out some important things that his fans want to know. I'm sure he did that intentionally. I hope that in the future there will be a book that will reveal more of who he was as a struggling actor, as a husband, a father, etc. I still haven't finished the book, but I am close enough to the end to know that I am disappointed that Mr. Poitier didn't go in to more detail about his actual life. I thought the book would be more revealing. Instead he analyzes and summarizes everything and everybody else. I still have great admiration and respect for him. He is an amazing man, nevertheless.
Rating:
Summary: An impressive autobiography.
Review: After seeing 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner,' my father became a dedicated Sidney Poitier fan. That was a big step for a white, middle-aged, middle-class oil field worker man raised in the segregated South of the 30's and 40's. Mr. Poitier's ability to appeal to everyone, no matter their politics or color, is a tribute to the humanness of the man. His newest book, The Measure Of A Man: A Spiritual Biography, shines a light on why he was able to transcend the differences between the races during that turbulent time of our country's history. Growing up on Cat Island in the Bahamas, '...forty-six miles long and three miles wide." Poitier was '...free to roam anywhere.' Never having seen himself in a mirror (there were none in the Poitier household), he was not aware of the difference between his skin and the skin of the two white people on the island. He knew the white merchant and the doctor, but he wasn't aware of their differences. Poitier also attributes his determination to his parents: 'In the kind of place I grew up, what's coming at you is the sound of the sea and the smell of the wind and your mama's voice and the voice of your dad....when you're watching the behavior of you mom and dad, noting how they behave and how the attend to your feelings and how they care for you when you have a pain or when the wasp stings you around your eye.' Although the Poitier family was poor, they were a close-knit bunch who truly cared for one another. Putting the young Sidney on a boat for Miami to live with a brother must have been the most difficult thing either parent faced, but they realized there was hope and promise on the 'golden' streets of America and they wanted their son to have a chance. Poitier's journey from Cat Island, to Nassau, to Miami, and finally New York is a wonder-filled one. He persevered because of a fierce spirit and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. When turned down for an acting part because he couldn't read, he spent his dinner breaks at the restaurant where he served as a dishwasher learning to read. Being rejected again for acting school, he offered to serve as janitor in exchange for the class fees. Through all his struggles to become famous, the one thing Poitier never lost was a very strong sense of self. It permeated everything he did and, through some very good fortune and a lot of hard work, Poitier reached the pentacle of success without forfeiting his honor or abandoning his history. One of the striking things about the young Poitier is that he turned down parts he believed to be wrong and imprinted the characters he did play with his own elegant, dignified style. One example of Poitier's battle over characterization comes from one of his best film performances, In The Heat Of The Night. During a pivotal scene Poitier's character, Philadelphia Detective Virgil Tibbs, has an encounter with a Southern upper class white businessman. The scene was to end with the white man slapping Poitier for an implied insult. The way the scene was written, Poitier was to take the slap and walk his dignified self out of the man's house. Poitier refused, saying Tibbs would have never allowed himself to be slapped without striking back, which was how it was filmed. The scene worked...and marked a turning point in the story. Throughout this book, Poitier gives credit where credit is due. Reginald and Evelyn Poitier gave their son the two most precious gifts any parent can offer: roots and wings. It's cliché, to be certain, but in this case, the cliché fits. Poitier comes from good stock and, even though he now lives in a world completely foreign to the one he was born into, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree. The Measure Of A Man: As impressive as its author. Enjoy! Terry Mathews, Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: Words of Wisdom from One of Hollywood's Greats
Review: If Sidney Poitier had never won a "Best Actor" Academy Award, he would still be among the few individuals who rank in the realm of the premier talents to grace the silver screen. His stature over others in his craft has lasted for fifty years. "The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Biography" was first brought to my attention on an Oprah show. He was her guest and he provided a "glimpse" of what was contained within his book. I could not wait to make the purchase. And, boy, am I glad that I did. Poitier's narrative is concise, inspirational, and entertaining. He relates his life experiences as if he were painting a portrait, finely selecting color and texture. He is passionate about his life and his career. It is this common sense look at life that gives us, the readers, advise on how to tackle this oh-so-challenging world in which we live daily. As one who has admired his great body of work, I was happy to add this autobiographical sketch to that collection. Thank you, Mr. Poitier. And thank you, Miss Winfrey, for introducing the book to me!
Rating:
Summary: SPIRITUAL, PEACEFUL AND MORE
Review: I love this book and the audio cassetts. I came away with a renewed sense of self and a profound feeling of peace. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Story of an Immigrant
Review: I was first attracted to this story when I heard an interview on this book on Fresh Air (NPR). The audiobook (audible) read by sydney poitier - was enlightening and touching to hear him tell his own stories. Even though my parents are of a different cultural background I fealt that just like "Joy Luck Club" there's a universal message here for 1) people starting off in this country 2) their first generation children 3) everyone else who was fortunate enough to have been born here, to give them a better understanding of the struggle to survive here.
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