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This Life
The Academy Award-winning Black actor tells of his childhood in the Bahamas, his introduction to New York, his two marriages and tumultuous eight-year relationship with Diahann Carroll, and his numerous films
374 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
7 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Sidney Poitier
27 books127 followersIn 1964, Poitier became the first Bahamian to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field. Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2010
Sidney Poitier is not only an American icon, he is first and foremost a Bahamian National Hero. While he is on loan to the rest of the world, we proclaim him proudly as our own and most well known native son. This book on his life was very revealing for me as a young man when I read it many years ago.
July 10, 2014
Fantastic. Sidney Poitier is a magnificent storyteller.
December 28, 2018
Wonderful storyteller.
August 31, 2011
Good autobiography.
August 10, 2016
Excellent autobiography.
December 30, 2012
Bahamanian Boy from Cat Island to Nassau, NYC & Miami, accidental actor, Hollywood politics and the Civil Rights movement.
August 1, 2012
Read this ages ago before I saw 'To Sir With Love' and really enjoyed the book. Well written with lots of humour. Recomemded reading
August 15, 2016
Disappointing as I love this actor's work. More about his acting experiences and less about his love life would have made it a better read.
November 27, 2018
have had this book for over 20 years and just re-read it this week... totally forgot how utterly fantastic is is...very entertainingly read, and amazing story.
This book was given to me by an American friend who was living next door to me at the time.
3rd read, November 2018 - riveting stuff, fantastic! what a life!
This book was given to me by an American friend who was living next door to me at the time.
3rd read, November 2018 - riveting stuff, fantastic! what a life!
July 30, 2007
The life and tribulations a man of color has to endure throughout the 60's to the present. Insightfull
May 24, 2025
Actors are a special breed. We feel like we know them because of their performances. They offer vulnerability and emotion on stage and screen, leading us to feel close to them. But autobiographies such as this one from Academy-Award winner Sidney Poitier can open our eyes to how different actors can be from their most beloved characters.
Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, to Bahamian parents, giving him dual citizenship throughout his life. He was raised on Cat Island, a small, rural spot in the Bahamas. This book takes us all the way back to his childhood, giving us a flavor for the mixed blessings on poverty, family, and culture that shaped the young man. Eventually, in search of opportunity, Poitier moves to New York City, and ekes out a meager living. He has a brief, almost accidental stint, in the US Army, and then almost equally accidentally, becomes an actor. The rest, as they say, is history.
But what an exceptional history! Poitier tells stories of his time on Broadway, the ups and downs of looking for work, his friendships, his love life, and eventually his political involvement in the civil rights movement. Never less than intriguing, the chapters move by at a satisfactory clip, giving us insights into the man and his point of view.
Two things hampered my enjoyment of this book, and both of them probably were caused by my own expectations. One was the colloquial, even casual language that Poitier employs to tell his tales. A few times, I felt as though this would be better as an audiobook, with Poitier's interjections and slang being read by another gifted actor - or, were he still alive, by Poitier himself. I think I have become too accustomed to the cultured, refined, and mannered persona Poitier often gave us on screen, but this is far more earthy. (As an adjunct to this comment, the story of him working to get rid of his Caribbean accent is quite interesting!)
My second disconnect was in hearing all of the stories of his multiple marriages and many lovers. I never expected Poitier to be a Puritan. On the other hand, I was occasionally surprised at his escapades and his cavalier attitude toward sexual commitments. He has a long-running and open affair with Diahann Carroll that seems hard to reconcile with his other values. Again, an actor is not the characters he or she portrays, nor should they be expected to be. But sometimes learning the truth about your idols can be disruptive.
Later in the book, we get stories of how the blacklist affected Hollywood filmmaking, and of Poitier's increasing involvement in civil rights. He uses his increasing power and influence to pave the way for other Blacks, and to influence rules and systemic norms. This crusading aspect of his life feels more aligned with what we saw in films such as The Defiant Ones, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and my personal favorite, In the Heat of the Night.
This is a fascinating, first-person account of a child's life in the Bahamas, the New York City theater scene for Black actors in the 1950's, the film industry in the 50's and 60's, and the edges of the civil rights movement from the perspective of a very famous person. It's a good yarn, and enjoyable on its own merits. However, be prepared to get the entire nitty-gritty, the pros and cons of a life - from bad choices, to mental health issues, to the compromises he regrets, Poitier tells it all. If he has anything in common with his characters, it is perhaps a certain type of unflinching honesty. We get the best and worst of the man, including his private triumphs and disappointments. And what more could one ask for, really?
P.S. This autobiography was written in 1980, when Poitier was in his 50's. So information on the latter half of his life and career are not included.
Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, to Bahamian parents, giving him dual citizenship throughout his life. He was raised on Cat Island, a small, rural spot in the Bahamas. This book takes us all the way back to his childhood, giving us a flavor for the mixed blessings on poverty, family, and culture that shaped the young man. Eventually, in search of opportunity, Poitier moves to New York City, and ekes out a meager living. He has a brief, almost accidental stint, in the US Army, and then almost equally accidentally, becomes an actor. The rest, as they say, is history.
But what an exceptional history! Poitier tells stories of his time on Broadway, the ups and downs of looking for work, his friendships, his love life, and eventually his political involvement in the civil rights movement. Never less than intriguing, the chapters move by at a satisfactory clip, giving us insights into the man and his point of view.
Two things hampered my enjoyment of this book, and both of them probably were caused by my own expectations. One was the colloquial, even casual language that Poitier employs to tell his tales. A few times, I felt as though this would be better as an audiobook, with Poitier's interjections and slang being read by another gifted actor - or, were he still alive, by Poitier himself. I think I have become too accustomed to the cultured, refined, and mannered persona Poitier often gave us on screen, but this is far more earthy. (As an adjunct to this comment, the story of him working to get rid of his Caribbean accent is quite interesting!)
My second disconnect was in hearing all of the stories of his multiple marriages and many lovers. I never expected Poitier to be a Puritan. On the other hand, I was occasionally surprised at his escapades and his cavalier attitude toward sexual commitments. He has a long-running and open affair with Diahann Carroll that seems hard to reconcile with his other values. Again, an actor is not the characters he or she portrays, nor should they be expected to be. But sometimes learning the truth about your idols can be disruptive.
Later in the book, we get stories of how the blacklist affected Hollywood filmmaking, and of Poitier's increasing involvement in civil rights. He uses his increasing power and influence to pave the way for other Blacks, and to influence rules and systemic norms. This crusading aspect of his life feels more aligned with what we saw in films such as The Defiant Ones, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and my personal favorite, In the Heat of the Night.
This is a fascinating, first-person account of a child's life in the Bahamas, the New York City theater scene for Black actors in the 1950's, the film industry in the 50's and 60's, and the edges of the civil rights movement from the perspective of a very famous person. It's a good yarn, and enjoyable on its own merits. However, be prepared to get the entire nitty-gritty, the pros and cons of a life - from bad choices, to mental health issues, to the compromises he regrets, Poitier tells it all. If he has anything in common with his characters, it is perhaps a certain type of unflinching honesty. We get the best and worst of the man, including his private triumphs and disappointments. And what more could one ask for, really?
P.S. This autobiography was written in 1980, when Poitier was in his 50's. So information on the latter half of his life and career are not included.
February 18, 2024
I read this in my late teens and it made quite an impression on me, especially his warnings against giving in to nostalgia, something I took to heart to this day.
April 29, 2012
I enjoyed this book. humorous anecdotes always welcome
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews