The Miracles of Life - Rated 
In an eloquent retelling of his life so far, Mr. Poitier shares his joys, losses, passions and difficulties. In my recalling of his movies, I can now appreciate his depth as an actor but I've also come to realize that he is a compassionate and thoughtful man. While watching his films you can see how his humanity carries over from his every day life into his work. Mr. Poitier writes of how effective acting involves "being in the moment" where listening and responding to others honestly and openly is of utmost importance in being real . That sentence and way of living resounded in me and inspires me to be genuine in all of my own encounters. It also reminded of a book I hold in high regard called "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" written by Ariel and Shya Kane. The Kanes' book set me on my own path of living in the moment, where life can be lived day in and day out with joy, ease and purpose.
Mr. Poitier writes, "Almost invariably, the calibrations by which we measure ourselves move inward. It often takes a near death experience to make us realize how simple life is, how few the essentials really are. We love, we work; we raise our families." In this day and age it does not require a near death experience to realize how miraculous life is. With insightful books such as these anyone can live a life of his or her own choosing. Go ahead: Make it awesome!
A book to live by - Rated 
I bought this book after skimming through the review in the economist and througout the book i was not disappointed. I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to get in touch with their true self spiritually but not neccessarily from a religious perspective. It deals with everyday situation and seemingly makes a great actor an ordinary person trying to make ends meet for his family. He deals with rejection, success, motivaition, love, passion break ups and many more themes in life one might assume only happens to "ordinary people" and not hollywood actors. I really enjoyed this book and sometimes i wish it were a moral bible only to find out Poitier is just human like me and the formula he conjured for his life may not always work for mine. The book is entertaining, emotional, encouraging and above all very warm to read.
I hope this review is helpful.
Fairly pleasant read - Rated 
Poitier's book makes fair reading for fans and non-fans alike. I came to it having only seen two of his films, The Blackboard Jungle and In The Heat Of The Night and found it a moderately entertaining read.
There are a few things to be aware of: the issue of race permeates the entire book and barely a page goes by without Poitier referring to it. This gets a little tiresome but very much sums up what Sidney Poitier is. It's actually difficult to view him in any other sort of light. Also, the narrative dissolves into a non-chronological account of events to make way for the author's philosophical ponderings. He's an intelligent man but no great philosopher; a lot of what he expounds is second hand. I'm not knocking him, I'm just saying if it's philosophy you're after you may be better off looking elsewhere, getting the ideas from the horse's mouth, as it were. For me what worked best were the chapters describing his primitive upbringing in the Caribbean, which is fascinating stuff (no running water, no cookers, no electricity etc).
Not a book to stop Hollywood in its tracks or win the Pullitzer prize, but decent enough.
Spiritually uplifting memoir - Rated
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.
A man For All Seasons - Rated
5 stars
"One of the most influential actors of our time, Sidney Poitier has stubbornly remained an enigma, a complex tangle of myth and mystery, since he first burst on the American film scene with No Way Out in 1950. He quickly emerged as the first black actor to become a successful leading man in the overwhelmingly racist environment of Hollywood, becoming a recognized international star in a few short years and eventually a number one box-office star and Oscar winner. Despite a series of polite interviews, Poitier maintained an air of secrecy and confidentiality concerning his private life and views until the publication of his 1980 memoir, This Life." Robert Fleming
Sidney Poitier was born in 1927 on a small island in the Bahamas. He began to learn about racism at a young man and when he moved to Miami he learned the hard way. He finally made it to the stage and films. In this new Spiritual Book, Sidney Poitier tells us how he made his way. There is some anger but that is to be expected. He tried to find roles that would portray the black man in a positive light and turned down many roles that did not fit. He did star in "Porgy and Bess' much to his chagrin but he had no choice, his future would have been limited if he did not. In the 1960' s his roles came of age "Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner" was a box office smash. From then on in he could have his pick of most roles. He has become an activist and appreciates the Spiritual life he has come to know. He is a man with a love of life, and the knowledge to lead many of us to a brighter place.
"As an actor aware of ''failure walking in my shadow every minute, waiting for the misstep that could derail my whole existence,'' Poitier stresses that ''fear of failure'' can be even more destructive than failure itself. Seven years ago, surgery for prostate cancer revived those feelings -- which had also given him insights into specific roles. Some of his strongest performances grew out of his appetite for risks, and so did his gift for directing comic scenes like the hilarious moments in ''Uptown Saturday Night'' and ''A Piece of the Action.'' He unbolted doors for several generations of black actors. Recalling the loud cheers that rose after ''Segregation forever!'' we can celebrate the achievements of Sidney Poitier." Nora Sayre
Oprah has picked Sidney Poitier's book for her book club. She states "He writes really candidly and passionately about his childhood, his family, relationships and his extraordinary career. It (the book) really is about what makes character, what makes you be who you are. He is the measure of one of the greatest men I think who has ever been on our planet."
Sidney Poitier is a man much adored and loved. He has helped to break the color barrier in films and theatre. His life has been full and this novel provides rich reading. Highly Recommended.
prisrob 1-26-07
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