Sidney Poitier: A Reflection on the True Meaning of Manhood

Karen Joy: I have always admired Sidney Poitier and this book confirmed why. He didn't outline all his mistakes in life but he admitted he has imperfections. However in spite of them he was honourable in many ways, especially in supporting his race and never compromising his dignity. A well written book from an amazing man.

Australia on Feb 06, 2023

Oglesbysmith: Mr. Poitier had a remarkable life. He taught me that my life is remarkable too.
The struggle to live life is what Mr. Poitier says is quite a battle. He realized that he had to recognize what demons he needed to fight and which ones had to stay dormant.
Every person is capable of becoming their highest self. This is a life-long task, however.
I wanted to read more. I felt he wanted to write more. Sometimes a person who writes doesn’t finish they just quit writing.
Very seldom have I read a book and felt like wanting to learn more. Mr. Poitier certainly was a king and I can’t remember anyone acknowledging such greatness.

United States on Dec 07, 2022

J. Morgan: I have loved Sidney Poitier since I first saw him in “To Sir, With Love” back in the late 60s as a teenager. I made it a point to see every movie he ever made. He had such exquisite dignity and he made the people in the roles he played bigger than life. Such depth! I read his book, “The Measure of A Man”, as eagerly as a little kid devours candy. I hung on every word. I wanted so much to know the man I so admired. By the time I finished reading Sidney Poitier’s book, I felt like I had been having a conversation with a friend. I admired him and respected him even more. He was handsome and talented and he deserved to succeed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Sidney Poitier in the movies and to anyone who ever wondered what made him tick. As a teenager, I had a huge crush on him. As an adult, I learned to appreciate him for the fine actor he was. He was the first black man to win the Oscar. I never thought of him as a black man. I thought of him only as a man who was an exceptional actor. After reading his book, I know him to be an exceptional human being as well.

United States on Feb 08, 2022

Seann Haver: What an interesting life! He went from nothing to one of the most admired human beings. He is a good example of a good person! Thanks Sydney we miss you!

Canada on Jan 20, 2022

Dafydd bach: This was an enjoyable opportunity to learn about the life of a celebrated and admired actor. Full of details about how his early life experience and family values contributed to his successful life, it is an enjoyable read. There were moments when his own private philosophy and opinions became a bit drawn out and possibly controversial but these don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the read or ones positive thoughts about the man.

Canada on Apr 16, 2021

Fred Zibaei: What can i say about Mr. Poitier's book, within the first pages, even before starting to read his letters to his beloved Great Grand daughter, I'm profoundly moved by his thoughts and views. To live life, is not to ask for IT to be easy but to face challenges , embrace them, learn from them but never stop asking questions. Never stop searching and while searching, you will meet other souls who are just as curious as you. Life is about learning, it's about seeing, it's about listening , it's about experiences, it's about sharing, it's about kindness, and it's about Love. Thank you Sir, you have always inspired me and now i have your letters to read over and over, when I feel i'm coming off track. God Bless you.
May

Canada on Mar 01, 2019

Dawn: I have always admired this actor, due to his acting roles and his elegant, calm demeanour so it was fun and interesting discovering “ how his mind works”. It quickly becomes apparent that he is deeply introspective, not only about his motives but about human nature and the meaning of life. I love that he is a little gritty, honest, flawed, honest but intelligent in his assessments of self and life in general. He would make a most interesting dinner guest as his views, experiences and opinions are varied and challenging.

Canada on Jun 29, 2018

Sahra Badou: I was captivated from the beginning of this book. Poitier starts the book by him flipping through the hundreds of TV channels he has at home. Having gone through all the channels, and finding nothing interesting to watch, he goes through the channels once more, but again finding nothing interesting to watch. Then he asks himself the question, "What am I doing with my life?" I have asked myself that same question a thousand times while doing exactly the same thing: flipping through the myriad channels available to me. I therefore quickly connected with the author. Poitier then realizes that he need not be stuck in front of his TV set. He has many friends, he leads a very interesting life, and he is rich. He could do anything he wants, so why is he stuck in front of his TV set?

The book promised to be very interesting from the onset, but I felt it did not really deliver the spiritual message I was hoping for. The book is really a biography of Poitier's life, especially his early years. He moves forward and back through his life, recounting stories from his adult as well as young years, and I found this shifting back and forth between his early and adult life a bit confusing....

United States on Jul 20, 2012

Waiti: 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; be proud of your "offering for sale" AMAZON!!

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...

United States on Mar 08, 2007