|
The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback) (平装)
by Sidney Poitier
| Category:
Autobiography, Personal growth, Black Americans, Motivation |
| Market price: ¥ 168.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
In Stock |
|
|
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
This powerful spiritual narrative offers one man's assessment of what is meaningful in life, as that man approaches the twilight of his years. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
|
|
Sylvia Moseley (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
The written word is wonderful, but what an awesome experience to listen to Sidney Poitier tell his life story and lessons in his meledious voice. This book will encourage those who feel that life has thrown them some bad curves.
What a wonderful important book to read about the human struggle, not giving up, having a dream, and believing in yourself. Once again, we are all reminded of the importance of good parents. I envied the parenting that Sidney Poitier had. What was poured into him as a child has been measured out to the world in his life's work. I've always loved Mr. Poitier's work and integrity, now I understand how he came to be such a warm caring and compassionate man. What a wonderful , moving, inspiring story he has to tell. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I will listen to this over and over again. |
|
|
Grace Dewar (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
I was immediately absorbed in the details of Sidney Poitier's fascinating life - from his childhood hours on Cat Island and the streets of Nassau to the interwoven account of his professional acting success, yet two issues plagued me during my reading.
First, I found the mix of different "voices" in Poitier's writing style erratic and disconcerting. These varied voices seemed to characterize not just Poitier at his different growth stages, but different personalities: To me, the spiritual nobility that patiently grew with this man (and the absolutely lyrical writing that marked some major passages and chapters of his book) seemed inconsistent with the too-frequent speech obscenities and an overly-personal intimacy with his reader (typified by sentences that ended with "you know?") These came off as weak efforts to make particular points, and I began to wonder which passages were authored by Poitier himself, and which were by members of the team he so lavishly credited in the book's introductory pages. I would have each writer involved know that the profanity sounded gratuitous, awkward, strangely placed - and detracted from the text, interrupting the flow of Poitier's often lovely narrative. I think it contradicted the images Poitier portrayed in his finest film roles and confused the images of the man he sketches in the pages of this text.
Second, on the purely selfish side, while I respect an author's decision to allow privacy to members of his family and friendship circle, I yearned to read more about the mother of his children and the role she (and they!) played in Sidney's success. Poitier's brief references to her end as the book continues to the mention of their divorce.
Yet certainly, the man values marriage and parenthood highly, giving abundant credit throughout to both his parents - and deriving his title, The Measure of a Man, from his father's words. |
|
|
RBSProds (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
Five INSPIRING Stars!! Sidney Poitier's life is shown here as a BEACON which can serve to inspire others to do as he did: live his life and perfect his craft with consummate skill, dignity, "integrity and commitment, faith and forgiveness". Never stooping to either display or play a person of weak character, his strength of character, as depicted herein, comes from a deep spirituality and from remembering the lessons and dignity of his parents. And his acting roles are examples to an entire race (the human race) of how to conduct oneself and ultimately achieve success. As said in the introduction, this is not a book about Hollywood but a "book about life. Just life itself. What I've learned by living more than seventy years of it." And for us movie buffs, he does include many stories giving the background on and his frank opinion of some of his many movies, going far beyond the normal actor's memoirs, and that is very fascinating.
In "The Measure of a Man", the issue of the types of characters that Mr Poitier had played in his movies is necessarily addressed throughout the book and in Chapter Six, "Why Do White People Love Sidney Poitier So?" Those who feel the characters don't measure up as 'strong black men' must never have seen the Poitier films depicted in this book: never saw the strong but sympathetic criminal in "The Defiant Ones" with Tony Curtis; never saw Poitier slap the face of the rich man in retaliation and defiantly tell Rod Steiger's southern sheriff: "They call me Mr Tibbs" in "In The Heat of The Night"; or project great dignity in a small Oscar-winning B&W movie called "Lilies of the Field" that grabbed Hollywood and the world by the heart; and stand tough in the breach of Hollywood's first interracial love affair in "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". Those persons need to read about all of that in this book and the fact Sidney turned down roles of characters that didn't meet his personal standards, even when he desperately needed the money. This book tells the fascinating stories behind all of that, as it tracks the arc of Mr Poitier's real life from quiet evenings as a child on Cat Island, Bahamas through New York to the height of Hollywood fame. It also covers eye-opening issues like blacklisting and loyalty oaths: you may be surprised. "The Idyll" chapter is as affecting a piece of writing as I have read in a while. I really enjoyed his occasional fragmented-sentence style of writing. Along the way, his commentary, such as on kids and influence of ads, movies, video games, and TV are spot on in comparison to his early idyllic years with no radio or TV. A towering actor and a wonderful person depicted by a highly readable autobiographical memoir! Highly Recommended as a truly inspiring story for adults and mature teens. Five INSIGHTFUL Stars!! |
|
|
Laura Smith (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
In this memoir, the respected actor Sidney Poitier who broke down many barriers in his life reflects on his life and career from the perspective of integrity. He asks whether he has upheld personal values and this introspection and reflection forms "The Measure of A Man." He measures himself in different roles, not just his public life as an actor but in his private life as a husband and father. Ultimately, he assesses himself as a man.
Poitier credits his upbringing on tiny Cat Island in the Bahamas for infusing in him his moral values. Poitier offers a wonderful description of his childhood there:
"In the kind of place where I grew up. 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."
It was a quiet, simple life that allowed him to develop his character. His character informed the positive roles he would play as an actor.
Poitier explores many important themes in THE MEASURE OF A MAN, including the importance of commitment, humility and forgiveness. He also points out the difficulties he went through in keeping artistic integrity. The final portrayal is of a man both with limits and possibilities.
His humility comes through this memoir and he makes it clear the intent of his autobiography: "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 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."
Poitier offers many insights through this reflective look at his life and career. I also enjoyed reading Nexus: A Neo Novel, which is a spiritual novel about people trying to overcome pain. Their journey brings them to a spiritual retreat where they realize their connection to the Nexus. |
|
|
Carolyn (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
I read Sidney Poitier's book "A Measure of a Man". It is a wonderful book.
It was fascinating to me that as a young child he did not know what racism was. That alone was incredible. Such innocence did not prepare him for what was to come. Such an innocence, however, was rooted in his soul and when he became a man he could not - or would not - allow unforseen prejudices to stop him from grasping unimaginable accomplishments which were rarely awarded to African-Americans.
In his younger days, the times he spent in New York and his brief stay in the Army did not hinder my respect that I have for this man. The old statement: "black, get back" was the way of life. How do you cope with such racism and be successful? Sidney Poitier's life answers that question.
His parents showed both love and discpline to him as a child. He was sent off to become a man. He learned from his mistakes. He desired to be a better man, and to become something that is good - something that seems to be missing in this world.
His religious views are somewhat confusing. He believes in a "higher power," that someone (or something) is watching out for him. He believes that this principle we call "God" is his source. This book can be a source of encouragement for anyone that feels they've had failures in their life; or anyone who feels that racism and discrimination is the wall that one cannot break through. You can tear down the walls and you can move forward and become a great and loving contribution to this world. |
|
|
Nova (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
" Measure of a man" as an autobiography, doesn't feel complete. Too many holes and inconsistencies in the timeline, some points were a little redundant and not alot of the more publicized life of the cinema star was actually revealed to the reader. So in that category, it's not a big success. But as something else, a quasi-autobiography, a man speaking about his life from the perspective of his own vision and not the vision of admirers around him, it takes on a much more personal and inviting spirit. As this new category, i'll call it "personal history", it succeeds in leaps and bounds. Being of a younger generation, i often feel chastised by elders who constantly snear at my more vivid and popular peers consistently make dissappointing choices. It seems having not been christened in harsher times like civil rights movement, or vietnam activism, leaves me as a ungrateful lost cause to some.
But in " Measure.." Mr. Poitier is willing to show alot of his shortcomings and vulnerablities. Exposing how insecure he was about his greatest craft. How proud he was even at his possible demise. How he inherited alot of his charm and strength we see so large on screen, to a poor family on a little squater island in the bahamas. This honesty, allows the reader not to be in awe of his superiority and acclaim, but more willing to listen open eared to someone who just wants to share his journey. For this i am thankful. I never knew any of my grandfathers, and my father passed way too young. So to hear such lessons from someone who has lived so much life before me, without any feeling of unworthiness, i am encouraged, thankful and grateful.
you may call him Mr. Tibbs, but i prefer to liken him to a great uncle. |
|
|
Susanne Rolle (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
Sidney Poitier is an amazing man. His story of his life summed up through this book. I love how he puts his words and seems so down to earth. I loved how this book shows how far we are getting with the issues of racism in this country. He made you feel like you were right there with him through his life and what he had to struggle with and in the end becoming so prosporous. I felt like I 'knew him, like we were friends. As he walked the streets of the Bahamas, to the streets of Harlem, I was there with him. My husband, being from Eleuthera Bahamas, and I laughed and enjoyed with him as he climbed the sapadilla trees for its fruit, and getting stung over and over by them wasps. How his mother gave him some bush medicine, and he'd go right back for some more.
How I would love to meet this man. Hes the kind of man that I would be able to sit and listen to for hours. Maybe one day. |
|
|
Waiti (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
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.
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" |
|
|
Faye Quam "Book Editor and Author", USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
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. |
|
|
Robert Yokoyama (MSL quote), USA
<2007-11-13 00:00>
I picked up this book from an airport where a big yellow sticker on the cover yelled "25% off" right below the title "The Measure of a Man". I suppose I bought it mostly for the amusing exchange that ensued with the store attendant. Who'd have thunk that I'd read it for the entire flight! It's a fun little memoir from a man who has clearly found his shape in life. From less-than-pleasant times growing up in the Bahamas to becoming a well-known actor in a time when racism was so rampant it wasn't even strange, Poitier's life seems to have cut a fairly eventful arc. The manner in which he recounts these experiences is gripping, lively, and often very moving as he focuses on the rich character of his folks and family. Several ghost-written memoirs give a short shrift to the protagonist's mistakes, but Poitier is candid about faux pas such as some jail time as a youth, or the self-absorption that led to his first divorce. I can see why some glowing reviews at the back of the book suggest that this is nearly a spiritual book--prompted perhaps by the caption in the subtitle. It's nothing quite that dramatic, but his talent, humanity and decency shine through. Anyone who reads it can't help walking away from it a mite richer, inspired, and more appreciative of the fact that the upsides and downsides of life sometimes coincide, but that overall it can be a rewarding ride. I take off one star because at about two-thirds of the book's length, we must wade through Poitier's account of his films, which I felt straggled on for about 20 pages too many. But I earmark my books, and this one is a flapped silly, underlined for the wisdom in its lines. A breezy read, highly recommended for a thoughtful Sunday afternoon. |
|
|
|
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
