Born dirt poor in the Bahamas, Poitier came to the U.S. penniless at age 15 in 1943. After working odd jobs and scraping by in Florida and New York City, Poitier landed, by chance, a small acting role. His performance was noticed by talent scouts, and with a combination of luck, grit, and sheer willpower, he went on to become Hollywood's first leading black actor and one of its greatest stars. In Measure , Poitier attempts to unravel for himself his own remarkable life story, looking at early life experiences, his family, and various themes that he believes have contributed to his success. Poitier is an excellent storyteller, and the book is anecdotally rich.
Religion is a minor part of the story.
Instead, Poitier's tale is an affirmation of the value of morality and personal integrity in leading a successful, fulfilling life.