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Oprah Breaks Long Book Club Absence

Nearly a year has gone by since Oprah recommended the last book for her book club. On last Friday Oprah announced she has chosen the inspirational biography "The Measure of a Man" by Sidney Poitier, one of the Hollywood`s most respected actors and a hero to Winfrey herself. Poitier, who is now 80-years-old, published the book in 2000. The book unfolds the actor`s memories from working on such movies as "A Raisin in the Sun" and "The Defiant Ones". The book also contains recollections of the actor`s Academy Awards, childhood and religious beliefs, as well as, the actor`s thoughts on racism and powerful world leaders, such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

?He writes really candidly and passionately about his childhood, his family, relationships and his extraordinary career,? Winfrey told to the audience on her show on Friday. ?It?s a beautifully crafted book, written like poetry. Because, just as he speaks so eloquently, he also writes that way, too.? Winfrey acknowledged on her show Friday that a year had passed since she chose a selection for her book club. She said that this was due to the fact that she had been busy during that time researching a study program for her school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa, which opened earlier this month.

The Measure of a Man had spent several weeks on The New York Times? bestsellers list, and the audio edition, narrated by Poitier himself, won a Grammy Award for best spoken word album. Poitier wrote a previous memoir, "This Life", which was released in 1980.