We see that javascript is disabled or not supported by your browser - javascript is needed for important actions on the site. Read more

What's New - Home - Login

Member $avings: $81,750,414.23 | Books Available: 731,051 | Members Online: 197

Swap Used Books - Buy New Books at Great Prices!

How To Swap Books Sign Up Search submenu

PBS Market (New Books)

Gift Buying Guide

Book Browser Advanced Search Books Posted Today Member Book Reviews Award Winning Books NYT Best Sellers Amazon Best Sellers Most Traveled Copies Club Wish List

Discussion Forums Book Lists

Club Lists My Book Lists My Watched Lists Create a List

Blog Donations

School Donation Program In Memory of... Military Donation Program Friends of PBS

Box-O-Books Maps The Eclectic Pen Fun Stuff

20 Questions Sudoku Bookmark Creator

Top 100

Requests Posts Swappers Referrers Reviewers

Pulse of PBS Spread The Word

Invite Friends Bookmarks Facebook Page Facebook App More Ways...

Photo Gallery Recipes Club Tag Cloud Member Testimonials

Help Center submenu

How To Swap Books Browse Help Docs Ask the Librarian PBS Member Icons Live Help

Kiosk

PBS Market (New Books) Go Shopping Buy Credits Buy PBS Money Upgrade Membership Gift Certificates Transfer Credits

Need Help?

Search - The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print)

The Measure of a Man A Spiritual Autobiography - Large Print
Author: Sidney Poitier

"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 do... more »ne 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.

ISBN-13: 9780061357923
ISBN-10: 0061357928
Publication Date: 2/1/2007
Pages: 299
Rating:

Currently 4.3/5 Stars.

4.3 stars, based on 3 ratings

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Book Type: Paperback
Large Print: Yes
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

PAM L. (Iluvgoldens) reviewed The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print) on 3/17/2007 + 104 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I love this man, very philosophical book about his life growing up and what he has become and the people who shaped him.

Share/Like this Review?

Elaine R. (readingrat) reviewed The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print) on 3/31/2007 + 74 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Interesting life experiences

Share/Like this Review?

Read All 4 Book Reviews of "The Measure of a Man A Spiritual Autobiography Large Print"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

Barry B. (Barry1776) reviewed The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print) on 7/22/2011 + 72 more book reviews

Beautifully written, insightful and honest - a wonderful book.

Share/Like this Review?

Elaine R. (readingrat) reviewed The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print) on 3/31/2007 + 74 more book reviews

Some interesting life experiences.

Share/Like this Review?

Read All Book Reviews of "The Measure of a Man A Spiritual Autobiography Large Print"

Genres:

Literature & Fiction >> General

Back to the Top ↑

Search - The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Large Print)

Top Member Book Reviews

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

Loading...