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Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter | 
 enlarge | Author: Sidney Poitier
Publisher: HarperOne
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $12.40
You Save: $13.55 (52%)
New (42) from $12.40
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 6800
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0061496189
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.43028092
EAN: 9780061496189
ASIN: 0061496189
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Sidney Poitier is one of the most revered actors in the history of Hollywood. He has overcome enormous obstacles in extraordinary times and is a role model for many Americans because of his convictions, bravery, and grace. Poitier reflects on his amazing life in Life Beyond Measure, offering inspirational advice and personal stories in the form of extended letters to his great-granddaughter. Writing for all who admire his example and who search for wisdom only a man of great experience can offer, this American icon shares his thoughts on love, faith, courage, and the future. Poitier draws upon the perspective and wisdom gained from his memories as a poor boy in the Bahamas, his experience of racism coming to the United States, falling in love and raising a family, breaking the race barrier in theater and film during the Civil Rights Era, achieving stardom and success in Hollywood, and being a diplomat and humanitarian. He reflects on the deepest questions and the significant passages of his life, the virtues that helped him through tough times, and the sense of purpose and history that strengthened him. He emphasizes the importance of the role of faith in a technological age, as well as our responsibility to the earth and future generations. Throughout, Poitier shares stories about the people of courage he has met along the way and the meaning of life in the face of death. Life Beyond Measure is the perfect book to inspire readers to live the fullest life with integrity, from one of our most respected celebrities and a national treasure.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
THANK YOU Mr. Poitier July 17, 2008
For months, I've wanted to share some of my experiences with my granddaughters specifically and my grandchildren in general . . . but where to start, how much to share, which topics are taboo, how to share without influencing or preaching, etc.??? THANK YOU Mr. Poitier! I've only finished half the book, but already I know that I want all of my grandchildren to read it! In fact, I want everyone to read it.
I was struck by Mr. P's loving, honest and forgiving thoughts about life. I was warmed because he has struggled with many of the same notions most dreamers ponder: GOD? Relationships, hardships, money, self-discipline, determination, respect . . .
I'm sure I'll have more to type after I've finished the entire book, but before life happens, I wanted to say thanks and advise everyone, this is the book to read and share!
As kind as he. July 10, 2008
As a grandmother, I wish I could write as such for my grandchildren.
Sincere, family history to be cherished by all of his children and grandchildren.
 interesting and inspirational June 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Life Beyond Measure is a series of letters to Poitier's great-granddaughter, to be read as she matures from infancy to young womanhood. As such, it is not a straight biographical narrative, rather a compendium of grandfatherly advice intermixed with real life examples from Poitier's marvelous and challenging life.
It seems some of the events are skimmed over - he mentions finding the love of his life in his second wife, but fails to detail the divorce from his first wife and the suffering involved in that. He treats everyone very resepctfully, obviously retaining a good relationship with the first wife, but I think a few lessons detailing that type of event would have been beneficial to his intended audience.
The writing style is fluent and easy to read - it moves best when Poitier is relating tales from his youth on Cat Island or Nassau, or his individual struggles against unemployment or racism. It bogs down some near the end when he begins to wax philospohically on the great mysteries of the universe, and I am not certain all the background information he throws in on society and science was that useful, but still he manages to convey his basic point that mankind needs to be a good steward of this planet and of each other.
All in all, an enjoyable read with a lot of valuable advice couched in warm and accessible prose.
An Admirable Man - Sidney Poitier June 4, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book was purchased for my 83 year old Mother as a gift for Mother's Day. She usually sticks to cookbooks, or psychology self-help type books, but I knew she always admired Sidney Poitier as an actor, and as a human being, so I thought she might enjoy this book. Turns out I was right! Even though she can only read a few pages each night due to vision problems, she has already told me how much she is enjoying reading this book. It is extremely well written, with a true human interest style that is holding her interest. Bravo, Mr. Poitier! (I'm going to borrow it from her when she's finished!)
Marvelous letters! June 2, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
What loving letters these are! The chapters about his youth are the most interesting & delightful; those in which he philosophizes about religion are a little less clear, but very heartfelt & humanitarian. I wish we all could have such a large family network. Poitier's writing is truly elegant and articulate -- I think I'd read the phone book if he'd written it!
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