• Schuyler J. Smith, President and CEO, Acme Wrecking Company:

        Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier (Harper; $26).

        “The book tells about his life, about his growing up in the islands (Bahamas). Some of the things he went through, I could relate to as well.

        “One of the quotes I most remember was about his father, who was poor and made cigars for a living. Mr. Poitier said he spends more in a week than his father made in a lifetime.

        “I've always been an admirer of his. The prejudices and obstacles he overcame were similar to mine, growing up as a farm boy in Kentucky. Mr. Poitier was not an educated man but he grew up to become an ambassador.

        “I've read other books similar to this, but none touched me like this story.”

        • Stuart Fabe, director of development, Isaac M. Wise Temple:

        The Source by James A. Michener (Fawcett Books; $7.99).

        “I couldn't believe how wonderful a saga this was. I was interested in reading it because of its theme: a history of the Jewish people.

        “It's important from a historical standpoint as well as being such a fascinating story. He was able to make history come alive with such believable characters.

        “I was especially impressed that a non-Jewish writer was able to capture the essence and spirit of the history of the Jewish people.”

        — Shauna Scott Rhone

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