Skip to content

The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography Paperback - 2001

by Sidney Poitier


Summary

“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 selfquestioning. 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.” 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 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 selfworth 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 theautomobile, 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 who one is, Poitier played only forceful and affecting characters who said something positive, useful, and lasting about the human condition. Here, finally, is Poitier’s own introspective look at what has informed his performances and his life. Poitier explores the nature of sacrifice and commitment, pride and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity, What emerges is a picture of a man seeking truth, passion, and balance 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. - from the publisher

First line

It's late at night as I lie in bed in the blue glow of the television set.

Details

  • Title The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography
  • Author Sidney Poitier
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperOne, New York, New York, USA
  • Date April 24, 2001
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780062516084 / 0062516086
  • Weight 0.71 lbs (0.32 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.2 x 6.12 x 0.73 in (23.37 x 15.54 x 1.85 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Spiritual biography, Actors - United States
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 99088322
  • Dewey Decimal Code B
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Measure of a Man: a Spiritual Autobiography

The Measure of a Man: a Spiritual Autobiography

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€0.95
€10.27 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Hardback. Very Good.
Item Price
€0.95
€10.27 shipping to USA
The Measure of a Man: a Spiritual Autobiography
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Measure of a Man: a Spiritual Autobiography

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
  • Near Fine
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Barstow, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€3.55
€4.74 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins. soft cover 1st printing with light wear and no markings. Illustrated section. . Near Fine. Soft cover. 1st Edition. 2001.
Item Price
€3.55
€4.74 shipping to USA
Measure of a Man, The
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Measure of a Man, The

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Springdale, Arkansas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.96
€3.74 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper San Francisco, 2001T. hardcover. Good. 0.8000 in x 9.1000 in x 6.1000 in. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear .
Item Price
€4.96
€3.74 shipping to USA
The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

by Sidney Poitier

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
19
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.11
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€6.11
FREE shipping to USA
The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

by Sidney Poitier

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.11
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. Hardcover. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
€6.11
FREE shipping to USA
The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€6.83
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
€6.83
FREE shipping to USA
The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Measure of a Man : A Spiritual Autobiography

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€7.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
€7.01
FREE shipping to USA
Measure of a Man, The

Measure of a Man, The

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
WESTBANK, British Columbia, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€18.90€17.02
Save €1.89!
€18.90 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
A tight and unmarked copy-" 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 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… Read More
Item Price
€18.90€17.02
Save €1.89 !
€18.90 shipping to USA
Measure of a Man, The
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Measure of a Man, The

by Poitier, Sidney

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
LONG BEACH, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€18.84
€3.78 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New. Spend Less, Read More.
Item Price
€18.84
€3.78 shipping to USA
Measure of a Man, The
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Measure of a Man, The

by Poitier, Sidney

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780062516084 / 0062516086
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Newport Coast, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€27.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Item Price
€27.14
FREE shipping to USA