Monday's Pick: The Measure of a Man

The Measure of a Man: a Spiritual Autobiography by Sidney Poitier 2000

Sidney Poitier’s second autobiography, The Measure of a Man, is more about his upbringing and personal experiences than about his noteworthy film career. He begins the book with a description of his idyllically simple, if not impoverished, childhood on Cat Island in the Bahamas. He then takes the reader with him to Nassau, then to Miami, Florida, and then to New York and other American cities. The book focuses mainly on Poitier’s struggle with racism in the U.S., explaining that it was not an issue at all when he was a young boy on Cat Island. He credits his stable, loving, and free upbringing for his strong sense of self, and of self-worth, throughout his life. This was especially important as he was establishing a film career that he hoped would never bring dishonour to his family’s values, never accepting roles that would shame his father. Now in his 70s, Poitier looks back on his personal life and relationships, and the strides that America has made regarding the human qualities of acceptance and forgiveness. An insightful and fascinating look at the man behind the acting career!