Life Beyond Measure audiobook

Sidney Portier is one of the most stately and beloved actors of our time. As one of the earliest actors to break racial barriers in the film industry, and the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1963 for his performance in "Lilies of the Field" he has become an icon for achievement in his career and humanitarian accomplishments.This book, while written when he was 81-years young is a series of historical and genealogical letters he's written to his great-granddaughter Ayele. It made me think about the conversations I didn't have with my foreparents that I truly wish I could have had. I personally found this book fascinating to me because I am in the process of conducting my genealogy research. Mr. Portier's personal accounts regarding the many facets of his life, the lessons he learned and continue to learn, memories of his life on Cat Island and his trek to the United States connected to many stories, told and untold of our familial evolution.Now, this book is not a saucy novel or a book that one may find immensely exciting, but its narrative is captivating to me and one that I can connect to. While I enjoyed it on a personal level I have a few of the many takeaways that I would like to recap: 1. The good wars are the ones we fight in the name of children, in the name of the poor, in the name of those oppressed by overwhelming odds or forces beyond their control.2. Understand that terrorism is not just the landscape of the terrorists; it is also inhabited by those who cry out the word to spread fear for their own political gain.3. Racial, religious and sexual bigotry must be your enemies. Go for the jugular when you encounter the principal adversary: Ignorance.Enjoy!

I picked up an audio version of this book at a yard sale because I am a huge fan of Sidney Poitier's grace and grit. Bonus -- the book is read by the author, so I also got his melodic voice which still has traces of his Caribbean childhood. This book was a lovely ear-read, soothing in traffic, but containing a variety of flavors: the dangers of close calls, the philosophy of Life The Universe and Everything including history and God, the stories of his childhood, the discussion of race relations and courage, the importance of education, and other things a man would want his great-granddaughter to know. Some of these stories were retellings from his autobiography, but with a discussion of lessons learned. Some were great reminders of what is possible if we let ourselves explore possibilities, such as the story of how Sidney learned to read and comprehend beyond a first-grade level while working as a dishwasher in NYC, and the stories of his culture shock when he saw his reflection for the first time at 10 or first encountered cars or electricity after a childhood on a primitive island. A few of the discussions were a bit over my head or intense, but I enjoyed the entire experience as an exploration of not only the life of this remarkable man but also of how people process information and the internal conversations we have as we go about our lives.A couple friends of mine who enjoy audio books expressed an interest in this book, so I will pass it along to one of them.

This book was beautiful from beginning to end. Sidney Poitier was honest about his short-comings, his failings, and his wonderful accomplishments humbly and, at the same time, steadfast. From his early beginnings on Cat Island to his life on stage and screen, he shared his letters to his great-granddaughter Ayele with us faithfully. He asked questions of her, and of us. The questions were not easy or simple ones, and they are far reaching in their answers.The prose of this book was lyrical and beautiful. It was not a language of sing-song, but of intelligence and description that brought alive the life of the man and the life of the person, the writer effortlessly. The discussions within these pages are on-going and call us, the reader, into the realm of being part of the answer, not just part of the question. In this book, the reader is always a part of the answer, never the reason why the world is as it is. We are called upon to be warriors of virtue and good, knowing full well that some cannot live up to this calling, but those that can, those that can and do believe they can make a difference in the world, will grasp the words of this book and move forward to make the world a better place, even if it is just the small portion of the world they live in.I highly recommend this book to everyone. The thinker and non-thinker alike will get something from these pages. You will come away, after reading this book, feeling different; feeling better for having visited the pages.

Of course, just listening to Sidney Poitier's voice is a pleasure, but this book is also a pleasure from the content. Several years ago I listened to the audio version of Measure of a Man by Poitier, also read by him, and this book extends my knowledge of him.The book is organized by issues and thus is not written as a consecutive timeline, but rather moves back and forth, even referring back to earlier sections at times. It is written as a series of letters to his first great granddaughter giving her information and advice, some of it personal to her as part of his family, some of it applicable to all of us. He talks of love, faith, demons, close calls, technology and death. He talks of his own quest for knowledge and how it is still ongoing. He talks of our responsibility to each other and to the earth that we come from. This would be a wonderful gift for a graduation or for someone starting a new phase in life. Inspiring and comforting both, it will bring pleasure to the reader.

I've enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book. The Goodreads summary describes it all very well. I agree when it says: "_Life Beyond Measure_ is the perfect book to inspire readers to live the fullest life with integrity...".I also agree with Publisher's Weekly when it says: "Written as a set of letters to his great granddaughter, _Life Beyond Measure_ is bursting at the seams with inspirational stories aimed to advise and motivate us all. His writing is deep, his views are that of a wise man who has seen the world from every angle. Poitier's classical, firm and rolling voice is entirely engaging, and listeners will find themselves yearning for more."So true. Poiter has been a grand companion as I ride in my car, listening to Poitier's warm presentation.

What a wonderful man.

A treasure. Sidney Poitier passes down his life story and his wisdom and advice to his great-granddaughter Ayele. But really, this book is for all of us.Read my full review here: http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2014/...

It was interesting to read about Sidney Poltier's life. He wrote his book to tell his great granddaughter about his life, and to give her advice for her life. It was great to read a book about a famous person, who didn't write about all of his sexual experiences. He told about the illegal things he did as a young teenager, and how he decided not to live his life that way. He left his home at the age of 15, and had to make his way in life. He learned all he could from people around him. He was a dishwasher in a restaurant, and a man he worked with, helped him to learn to read. He tells how he got his interest in acting, and how he got his first part. When he first tried out for a part, he couldn't read.

Although The Los Angeles Times reviewer gave Mr. Poitier a generous accolade as "a national treasure," those lofty words are nevertheless incomplete. This fine actor, and the roles he has played as a leading man, taught a generation of men and women the most important lessons possible about racial equality and social justice. He led our collective thoughts at a time when we were most impressionable.Through his authoritative lead characters for timeless movies -- such as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" and "In the Heat of the Night" -- Poitier gave the Baby Boomer generation palpable and enduring context for their cultural revolution around equal rights. Martin Luther King delivered the moral imperatives for change: Sydney Poitier enacted the stories that made King's lessons tangible, comprehensible and personal.This generation is now rapidly passing the hallmark birthdays of 50 and 60 and can learn again from Sydney Poitier, the author. Today's generational zeitgeist includes the pressing need to assess our collective legacies; to leave future generations a more inclusive, humane and just world; and to bequeath our successors a better society than the divisive nation of our youth.Again, he speaks to a generation that has also admired him since our teen years, a generation that has listened to him as a wise mentor. He taught us right from wrong without a single lecture or admonishment. He just demonstrated what a nation built on equality needed to become.This book challenges each of us to consider our heritage, not just for the next generation, but for generations yet to be born. Mr. Poitier's bravery, tenacity and humanity are worth further consideration, study and reflection, as inspired by this new book.Read this masterwork if you're a Boomer. It will remind you of why we sacrificed much and worked hard to help transform Poitier's revolutionary acting roles into mainstream cultural norms today.

Sempre tive muita dificuldade para entender a razão dos afrodescendentes americanos insistirem em contar suas histórias de vida. No primeiro ano da faculdade, ia para a biblioteca universitária no intervalo das aulas regulares e cursos fora do horário de aula e lia histórias sobre Rosa Parks, os protestos de Montgomery, as pregações do Reverendo King, e outras coisas assim. Mas não entendia de fato a razão de todo mundo querer escrever. Até que uma década atrás meu pai me emprestou o livro Negras Raízes de Alex Haley, onde a história de sua família é contada desde a chegada do escravo Kunta Kintê, até chegar nele, o Sr Haley (o livro virou série de TV). Na obra, o autor explica que dada a ruptura e a perda de ligação com o passado em razão da escravidão negra, escrever sobre as histórias dos homens e mulheres negros na América era fundamental para evitar este novo rompimento com o passado. Tendo isto em mente é fácil entender o livro “Uma vida muito além das expectativas: Cartas para minha bisneta, de Sidney Poitier.” O livro é uma coleção de cartas escritas pelo ator Sidney Poitier para sua bisneta, Ayele. Sidney, com 80 anos, resolveu contar a sua fabulosa história, sob diversos pontos de vista. Em 23 diferentes cartas ele narra toda a sua trajetória. Desde os tempos em Cat Island, nas Bahamas passando pela chegada à América segregacionista, e a carreira como ator. As cartas são a forma de ele contar sua vida, pelo seu ponto de vista é claro, associando as passagens a assuntos relacionados, com fé, medo, vício, desafios, orgulho, dentre outros. Como um menino meio gago, e que não sabia ler se torna um dos maiores atores de sua geração é um daqueles temas de superação e motivação. O relato do início da carreira é fabuloso. Um anúncio em uma banca de jornal em que ele teve que perguntar ao dono da banca o que estava escrito até o cozinheiro do restaurante onde Sidney lavava pratos de noite, que o ensinava a ler depois do expediente, são os pontos que fazem toda a diferença na vida das pessoas. Aquele negócio de esbarrar com alguém que sem razão nenhuma lhe ajuda de um jeito que mudará sua vida. Uma das coisas que mais me chamou atenção foi a sua determinação em não aceitar papéis em filmes que reforçassem o estereótipo negro da época. Ele simplesmente se recusava. O que é algo surpreendente na América nos anos 50, ainda durante a vigência das "leis Jim Crow" no sul do país, e antes inclusive da promulgação da Lei dos Direitos Civis. Isto sim é coragem. A forma como ele descreve o encontro com Nelson Mandela, o dialogo respeitoso, e o pedido de permissão para interpretá-lo na tela, dá uma boa ideia do caráter e respeito de Mr Poitier. A resposta de Mandela, dizendo que se fosse qualquer outro ele não deixaria, da uma boa ideia da amizade entre os dois. Eu sou fã de Sidney há anos. Desde que assisti o filme “Adivinhe quem vem para o jantar” virei fã. Foi impossível para mim não me identificar com a história, até por que já passei por situações semelhantes. Quem já viu o filme deve lembrar-se da cena do telefone na hora do jantar. Curiosamente já passei por uma quase igual. Enfim...Sidnei foi o primeiro ator negro a ganhar o Oscar em 1963 com o filme Uma voz nas Sombras. É o único vivo a receber três ursos de prata no festival de Berlim e possui o Oscar honorário pelo conjunto da obra. Meus preferidos são o Campo dos Sonhos, Adivinhe quem vem para jantar, No calor da noite, Ao Mestre com carinho (esse me deixa emotivo até hoje, mas acho que todo professor se sente assim com este filme ), e o genial Um por Deus e outro pelo Diabo. Na lista tem mais 50 filmes e documentários de sucesso. Para não virar uma resenha/spoiler vou parar a descrição do livro por aqui e deixo a curiosidade do possível leitor ou leitora entrar em ação. Como recomendação, acho que vale muito a pena. Realmente é uma vida e um livro muito além das expectativas.

Poitier delivers this wonderful memoir by way of letters to his infant great-granddaughter. Somehow, he was able to weave into this book a beautiful mix of philosophy, his life experiences, offerings of wisdom, and descriptions of himself as an individual -- all directed toward, not just his great-granddaughter, but to any and all of us. I especially enjoyed his descriptions and stories about his youth -- born and raised on Cat Island Bahamas, then to Nassau, then to NY City, and on to his Hollywood career. Poignant! Eloquently written. Memorable. All this from a man who was (and I stress WAS) uneducated and lived a totally isolated childhood where he knew love in abundance, but knew nothing of the world that existed beyond a small area of an tiny island. I was fascinated by the fact that he didn't know what he looked like until his late teens (forget exact age), as he had never seen a mirror. A compelling read -- sometimes light, often deep, always interesting.

I really enjoyed this book and didn't think that I would. Some parts were a little slower than others but I think for someone in their early 20s to read this like I was, it is a great book for the psyche. What I learned from this book is that other than the things we can't control in life, there are very few, if any, excuses not to try and improve our circumstances. I've never forgotten hearing him talk about his life pre-America and the hardships he endured once he got here. I have many flashbacks of his advice and stories when reflecting on some of my own issues, and THAT is what a great story/book should do. I highly recommend this book to people who are trying to make the most of their resources or need encouragement while pursuing a dream. Such an honorable man with a humbling story!

Sidney Poitier is amazing. Despite having no formal education, he is eloquent in his writing. He's a brilliant actor but that came about by accident. In this series of letters he wrote for his great-granddaughter, he talks about various aspects of his life, where he got his own moral compass, the kinds of deep thoughts he has. Since he was 80 when she was born, he figured she wouldn't have a lot of her own memories of him but he didn't want it to be left to others to tell her about him. I enjoyed the middle section of the book most of all because he spoke about various experiences of his life. A fascinating man.

I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Poitier's life on Cat Island as a child. The lack of technology (no running water, no electricity) makes the reader think about what we can do without in modern developed society. He had a wonderful childhood despite the lack of conveniences and the island was self-sufficient for the most part. It was clear that his family & upbringing had a strong positive impact on the wonderful man he became. A great read, and what a treasured gift for his great-granddaughter Ayele!

Sidney Poitier is and, and always has been a personal hero of mine. To hear his personal life story as letters to his great granddaughter was interesting and informative. He is such a wise man, and I learned a great deal, not only about his life, but how I should live my own. If you have a curiosity about one of our greatest living American actors, i would encourage you to read this book. I actually listened to this book on cd (read by Mr. Poitier himself), and it was quite entertaining.