The measure of a man a spiritual autobiography

I enjoyed the book, even more so since I have seen most of the movies he discusses.ДЇor an in-depth look at Sidney Poitier, read The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography. Although the bookвЂ™s title suggests spirituality, I found itД®ngrossing and thought provoking, but not necessarily spiritual. Poitier concludes his autobiography with an awareness of his perception of self, of others and of the world. Seventy-two years old when he wrote this book, his reflections encompass a part of our countryвЂ™s greatly changing history. Blacks resented that the movies didnвЂ™t portray the average black man, that the roles he played were non-threatening to white audiences, and even smacked of вЂњUncle Tom.вЂќДЄfter fifty years in Hollywood trying to portray life, Poitier learned about life.

The three movies were made in the height of race riots and bigotry. Although these movies were met with success, they were thought to be atypical of black people. In 1964 he was awarded an Oscar for Lilies of the Field, HollywoodвЂ™s first Best Actor award to a black man, followed by To Sir with Love, Guess WhoвЂ™s Coming to Dinner, and In the Heat of the Night. After several minor roles, he and Tony Curtis starred in The Defiant Ones, a box-office hit. He moved to Hollywood and managed to get roles, supplementing his income with restaurant work. But in the 1950вЂ™s, acting opportunities for blacks were stereotyped. The old adage вЂњwhen the student is ready, the teacher appears,вЂќ is an apt description of his break-through. His acting career in live theater happened almost accidently, but he realized this was where he belonged. Poitier moved to Harlem, New York when he was 16. He could barely read was lucky to get dish washing jobs. It was in those years he realized how ignorant he was, how slim were his chances of succeeding. Here, Sidney Poitier 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. Sidney Poitier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition. His body of work is arguable 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. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Sidney Poitier (Author) Visit Amazons Sidney Poitier Page. He got into trouble and was sent to his older brotherвЂ™s home in Miami, Florida. The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprahs Book Club) Kindle Edition. When the familyвЂ™s livelihood of growing tomatoes was no longer an option, they moved to Nassau and he was suddenly plunked down in a world of cars, movies, running water, electricity, white people and the resulting race distinction. His book, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography is an engrossing read.Д«orn on Cat Island, a primitive island in the Bahamas, Poitier had a childhood of freedom and love, blissfully unaware of how poor in material things his parents were. IвЂ™ve seen all his well-known movies and have admired his achievements.

Sidney Poitier is a long-time favorite of mine.

The measure of a man a spiritual autobiography