The Measure of a Man: A Memoir [Sep 04, 2000] Poitier, Sidney

Poitier, Sidney

ISBN 10: 0743208684 / ISBN 13: 9780743208680

Published by Simon & Schuster (Trade Division), 2000

About this Item

Light bump to base of spine. Light scratches/small marks to dustjacket, fading at spine & yellowing around edges. Some foxing to textblock edges. Tanning to pages, darker around edges. Text very good.

Seller Inventory # 124718-12a

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Measure of a Man: A Memoir [Sep 04, 2000] Poitier, Sidney
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Trade Division)
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0743208684
• ISBN 13: 9780743208680
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

In this candid memoir, legendary actor Sidney Poitier reveals the spiritual depth, passion and intellectual fervour that has driven his remarkable life. This memoir spans a time in American history from segregation and Civil Rights conflicts to the present day cultural struggles.

Review

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."