The Measure of a Man
by Sidney Poitier
The second of his three books, Sidney Poitier has dedicated The Measure of a Man to the lessons he learned from his father. If you’ve read his other books, there will some overlap, but very little. In this fascinating memoir, you learn his remarkable and unlikely journey from Cat Island to Hollywood. Through it all, he maintains his dignity and self-respect, making sure he can always measure up to what a man should be. In a prime example, he turned down a large role in a film before he was a star because he didn’t agree with the character’s meek acceptance when tragedy struck. Because of Sidney’s strong attitude, a Hollywood agent was impressed and asked to represent him. You might have always wondered why he played strong characters with self-respect, and this book explains it.
A fascinating part of the book is learning how he got his start, and the incredible strokes of luck that led him to become a successful actor. He started off as a janitor in an acting school, because his audition was so atrocious (and nearly illiterate) that he was thrown out of the auditorium. Determination took the place of talent, but eventually the other students rallied together and begged the director to let Sidney stay on as an understudy because he was so well-liked. And even though he wasn’t any good, he certainly tried hard. Then, lo and behold, a young actor named Harry Belafonte was unable to make a performance, Sidney stepped in, and the rest is history.
My favorite part of his life story is reading about his leisurely beginning on Cat Island. I loved getting immersed in the slow pace of life. Without electricity in his family’s home, he would run out and play in the ocean every day. Nature, animals, plants, and the sea taught him about life and what’s important. Material things don’t matter that much when you can find happiness in the feel of sand between your toes and salty air in your nostrils.
If you’re a fan of his acting or just want to learn an interesting story about a very lucky life, pick up one of his three memoirs. They’re entertaining, and they help you appreciate the simple things.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Sidney Poitier's Letters to My Great-Granddaughter here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Sidney Poitier's films here!
A fascinating part of the book is learning how he got his start, and the incredible strokes of luck that led him to become a successful actor. He started off as a janitor in an acting school, because his audition was so atrocious (and nearly illiterate) that he was thrown out of the auditorium. Determination took the place of talent, but eventually the other students rallied together and begged the director to let Sidney stay on as an understudy because he was so well-liked. And even though he wasn’t any good, he certainly tried hard. Then, lo and behold, a young actor named Harry Belafonte was unable to make a performance, Sidney stepped in, and the rest is history.
My favorite part of his life story is reading about his leisurely beginning on Cat Island. I loved getting immersed in the slow pace of life. Without electricity in his family’s home, he would run out and play in the ocean every day. Nature, animals, plants, and the sea taught him about life and what’s important. Material things don’t matter that much when you can find happiness in the feel of sand between your toes and salty air in your nostrils.
If you’re a fan of his acting or just want to learn an interesting story about a very lucky life, pick up one of his three memoirs. They’re entertaining, and they help you appreciate the simple things.
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Sidney Poitier's Letters to My Great-Granddaughter here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Sidney Poitier's films here!