• The Measure of a Man

  • A Spiritual Autobiography
  • By: Sidney Poitier
  • Narrated by: Sidney Poitier
  • Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,575 ratings)

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The Measure of a Man  By  cover art

The Measure of a Man

By: Sidney Poitier
Narrated by: Sidney Poitier
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Publisher's summary

Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2000

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 a 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 self-worth that he has never surrendered and that have dramatically shaped his world. 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 the automobile, 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 is Poitier's own introspective look at what has informed his performances and his life. Poitier explores the nature of sacrifice and commitment, price and humility, rage and forgiveness, and paying the price for artistic integrity. What emerges is a picture of a man 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.

Actor and icon: listen to more about Sidney Poitier. Or check out more selections from Oprah's Book Club.
©2000 Sidney Poitier (P)2000 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

  • Oprah's Book Club Selection
  • Audio Publishers Association 2001 Award Winner, Nonfiction, Unabridged
  • Grammy Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2001

"Moving...Poitier writes with vivid emotion about [past] clashes and brings them blazingly alive." (The New York Times Book Review)

Featured Article: The top 100 celebrity memoirs of all time


The best celebrity memoir audiobooks are in a league of their own—there is no greater listening experience than a memoir performed by the celebrity behind the title. Their charisma and authenticity greatly enhance the experience, making it all the more engaging. Many listeners who would never think to read a celebrity memoir in print gravitate to the genre in audio. There’s something magical about hearing, in their own voice, the nitty-gritty of a star’s path.

What listeners say about The Measure of a Man

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful

I have listened to dozens of audio books (I have a daily work commute of about 60 miles roundtrip) and this is the first time I have written a review. This recording compelled me to do so. This work is not a chronological, blow-by-blow description of Poitier's life. If you are looking for that, this is not a book for you. Rather, it is a summation of some of the significant events in his life and the effect that those events had on the development of his being and character. I found this approach to be refreshing. It is obvious that Poitier's ability to write equals, or surpasses, his ability to act. But what made this recording special is Poitier's reading of it. He pours the full dramatic power of his voice (which is substantial) into it. It is clear that he is speaking from the heart. It is almost as if the listener is sitting at Poitier's kitchen table, sipping coffee with him, while he tells you about his life. Like a good movie, this is a recording that I will listen to several times to make sure that I hear, and comprehend, all of the nuances in the story. Oh...and one more thing. There isn't the slightest hint of ego or self-aggrandizement in this work. It is purely from the heart. I highly recommend it.

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74 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

bravo!!!

Poitier tells his story with humor, humility and wisdom. I am not usually interested in the life of celebrities but maybe I should be. The topics he covers are all over the place and he can make listening to anything worthwhile. His personal experiences coming to the U.S. before the civil rights movement, his selectiveness about the roles he would play and his insights into the films and plays he starred in are so interesting. I want to rent his movies and think about his comments. I liked his thoughts on parenting and belonging. Great audio. He should write more and this should be listened to, not read.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Ah, that voice

Engagingly read by Sidney Poitier himself. Poitier relates some of the extraordinary events that led him from poverty to Hollywood, reflecting on racism, the art of acting, and the well-lived life. At times digressive and a bit indulgent in his confessions and self-evaluations. Nonetheless, this is a life to know. Poitier's effort to bring his own racial consciousness to his acting and career choices is most inspiring. An excellent slice of Hollywood history as well.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Calmly Captivating

How could a book narrated by Sidney Poitier not be good? His voice is perfection and he’s a brilliant actor to boot. Going by the title, I worried that he might put himself on some kind of spiritual high horse and then tell us how to get there too, but this is not the case at all. Mr. Poitier does not preach about his own spiritual awakenings but he does laugh at his own jokes, which I love.

From a tiny village on Cat Island in the Bahamas, to Miami, then New York City, and on to Hollywood…the author shares stories that draw a picture of his life’s path and his reflections on these experiences reveal what he’s learned. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an easy listen because it’s like a conversation but you are still left with something to think about.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Poitier Bares His Soul

Very good story telling. I especially enjoyed hearing about the author's early life and how he handled the many challenges he faced. Sidney Poitier reads the audio version in such a way that it sounds like he's telling you a personal story, not just reading a book that he wrote. And it's obvious he's having a great time doing it! The last chapters seem a little wordy, but overall I am happy to recommend this book. Poitier is an honest, introspective man, who is constantly learning and growing, even to this very day. Good job.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

This wonderful book came to me when I was on an assignment in Ohio. I selected a man from Ghana to work with me on a project and gave him this book. Then I gave it to a sales associate in a fast food store because there was something special about him. It turns out he was waiting for just the right job, having recently earned a Master's degree. Then I gave it to a nursing home staff in Florida. All are African Americans and I am sure are benefitting from Sidney's understanding and sharing that he never knew or believed it bad to be Black. Bravo! Lovingly from a "white" lady who sees no "color"

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Beautiful Sharing Of Life's Exeriences

This book shares life experiences with a careful, yet beautiful selection of words that never bores.
It keeps you eagerly listening to these words of wisdom learned through life's experiences, and now shared so eagerly, and unselfishly in an uncompromisingly hopeful need to enlighten us.
Truly, it's a beautiful sharing of life's experiences with the best, and most engaging narrative I've ever heard in this format.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

I love audio books and this is the best one I have ever heard. Mr. Portier's reading of his book is what makes it riveting. It is one of those books that is better heard than read. He should take this on the road as a one-man play.
Five stars is to few.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

It's so easy to listen to the author's voice and his own story, so what more could you want? The story is compelling and honest and opens up another world that existed all those years ago. Well worth a listen - highly recommended.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Mixed Feelings

I was torn between really liking this and not really liking this recording. I loved that the author narrated it himself, that was wonderful. I just couldn't decide if the author had something significant to say about the Measure of a Man or whether he was simply writing a book to talk about himself or to be heard on certain topics. I would not recommend this book to anyone however I can't say it's a bad book either.
If you know all of his work you probably will enjoy the chapters he talks specifically about how the movie came to be and how he got the part in it.

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8 people found this helpful