Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
by Sidney Poitier
Legendary actor Sidney Poitier has written three memoirs (so far), and his last is by far the most touching. You’re going to need your handkerchiefs if you’re at all sentimental. It’s compiled in the form of letters, with each section given a different topic about life lessons. As his great-granddaughter was just born before he wrote the book, he was inspired to pass along his wisdom and describe her family and cultural background. Since he fully admits it’s unlikely he’ll play an active part of her life as she grows to an adolescent and young woman, he wanted to play an inactive part. It’s very thoughtful and shows remarkable maturity to spend so much time imagining his descendants’ lives without him. But, as he rightly states, he has the greatest knowledge of stories involving him, his parents, and his own grandparents. If the legacy and family history is to be preserved, they can really only preserved by these letters.
Some of the stories in these letters have been repeated in his earlier books, but I doubt you’ll be bored by them. He writes with such love and imparts what he’s learned in such a gentle way, it’s truly inspiring. Some chapters make you laugh, some make you cry, some make you think about life and spirituality. He contrasts how things were done “back in the day” with the modern pace of today and maintains that children should be allowed to play and explore without pressures or technology to stunt their emotional growth.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Sidney Poitier's Measure of a Man here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Sidney Poitier's films here!
Some of the stories in these letters have been repeated in his earlier books, but I doubt you’ll be bored by them. He writes with such love and imparts what he’s learned in such a gentle way, it’s truly inspiring. Some chapters make you laugh, some make you cry, some make you think about life and spirituality. He contrasts how things were done “back in the day” with the modern pace of today and maintains that children should be allowed to play and explore without pressures or technology to stunt their emotional growth.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Sidney Poitier's Measure of a Man here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Sidney Poitier's films here!