Top 10 Best "Sidney Poitier" Books

In this candid memoir, legendary actor Sidney Poitier reveals the spiritual depth, passion and intellectual fervour that has driven his remarkable life. This memoir spans a time in American history from segregation and Civil Rights conflicts to the present day cultural struggles. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"When I arrived at the hospital, I saw my great-granddaughter in her mother's arms," he recalled. "Directly behind her was my daughter, the baby's grandmother. Next to her was my former wife, who was the baby's great-grandmother.

"I saw that I was in a room of four generations. I would soon be 80, and Ayele was one day old. I realized that the time between us would be short. I decided I would write a book in the form of letters so I could cover everything that I've felt and learned, and talk to her about things that I don't understand."

The result is "Life Beyond Measure, Letters to My Great-Granddaughter." It follows his 1980 autobiography, "This Life," but is much more personal, with little reference to his movie career. The chapter titles tell of his concerns. Among them: "Me and God," "Battling the Demons," "People of Courage," "The World I Leave You."

"Life Beyond Measure" was a grueling task for Poitier, who had to dig into his earliest memories, his relations with his parents, his sometimes wayward youth.

"I'm going to quit writing," he vowed, somewhat unconvincingly. "I was working eight to 10 hours a day on the book. I'm going to relax, find something else to do." Still, he talked about three more books he wants to write.

~source CNN interview with Poitier

"When I arrived at the hospital, I saw my great-granddaughter in her mother's arms," he recalled. "Directly behind her was my daughter, the baby's grandmother. Next to her was my former wife, who was the baby's great-grandmother.

"I saw that I was in a room of four generations. I would soon be 80, and Ayele was one day old. I realized that the time between us would be short. I decided I would write a book in the form of letters so I could cover everything that I've felt and learned, and talk to her about things that I don't understand."

The result is "Life Beyond Measure, Letters to My Great-Granddaughter." It follows his 1980 autobiography, "This Life," but is much more personal, with little reference to his movie career. The chapter titles tell of his concerns. Among them: "Me and God," "Battling the Demons," "People of Courage," "The World I Leave You."

"Life Beyond Measure" was a grueling task for Poitier, who had to dig into his earliest memories, his relations with his parents, his sometimes wayward youth.

"I'm going to quit writing," he vowed, somewhat unconvincingly. "I was working eight to 10 hours a day on the book. I'm going to relax, find something else to do." Still, he talked about three more books he wants to write.

~source CNN interview with Poitier