Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Power of One  By  cover art

The Power of One

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial reviews

Why You Should Download This Audiobook: Good character dramas are best shared with others, like good wine on special occasions. Bryce Courtenay's wonderful story of a child coming of age in a country ripped apart by racism is such a vintage—rich and complex, an experience you'll want to talk about long after the last words are spoken.

Publisher's summary

"First with your head and then with your heart." So says Hoppie Groenewald, boxing champion, to a seven-year-old boy who dreams of being the welterweight champion of the world. For the young Peekay, it is a piece of advice he will carry with him throughout his life.

Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Power of One

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,795
  • 4 Stars
    1,132
  • 3 Stars
    261
  • 2 Stars
    92
  • 1 Stars
    85
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,027
  • 4 Stars
    570
  • 3 Stars
    107
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    40
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,623
  • 4 Stars
    839
  • 3 Stars
    187
  • 2 Stars
    76
  • 1 Stars
    55

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding! One of my best recent reads.

What did you like best about this story?

The story grabbed me -- inspirational and unexpectedly motivational. The writing was detailed and flowed beautifully. Well done!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect book

This book was a lifesaver for me, it came when I was working seven days a week listening to only books to help me grow in my profession and I was starting to get burned out, then I put this one on almost by accident and was completely enthralled from the moment it started; it's helping me to relax, smile, laugh, and enjoy my moments! What a fantastic book I'm so glad it came into my life! I highly highly highly recommend this book to everyone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great writer, Great storyteller.

Bryce Courtney is a great storyteller and entertaining writer. His books could be up there with some of the "Greats" but he gets down into the details of the social gutter too much at times to appeal to a wider audience. A little more discretion on the social/human dark side would allow me to recommend this to a lot more people.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best of the best!

The story, the recording, the power of historical fiction at its very best ... don't miss this one!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great book!

This is a wonderful book. It truly inspires.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An 11!

One of the best books AND best readers I've ever read! And I read ALOT! Thanks Audible. RP

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, outstanding narriation

Any additional comments?

I've read the book before but Bower does an amazing job of bringing South African dialect to life. The story is engaging and illuminating, I suggest it to anybody.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating entertainment.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would and have recommended this book to a friend. I think it hits all the high notes that are in a good composition.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development was clear. The story flowed. The performance of the reader was remarkably believable. The exotic setting captivated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great..in every form

I have read the book 3 times, seen both versions of the movie and now the audiobook! As stated in the prologue I think this is "...the best book ever written"

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read this because Mike Reilly said it was his favorite

I really didn’t know what to expect but, Loved this story. Gave me the feels.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!