The Power of One

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins

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

Awesome book

Loved the story line, and the way it was written was excellent. Would definitely recommend it.

One of the all time greatest stories

I read this book when it first came out and have reread over the years......just had my Bookclub read it and was amazed that most of them were too lazy to read! This book is different and took me through so many emotions, but ultimately a story of strength and courage that I love!

Wonderful Book but Buy the Secret Sequel (Tandia)

I loved the story and Humphrey Bower's always incomparable performance. However, I slammed into a wall at the end. PK, the protagonist, meets his mentors, grows and learns, and then in the final chapters, he resolves one of the story's least important conflicts. After 21 hours of engaged listening, I was utterly disappointed by the ending.

Fortunately, I had the good sense to Google "sequel to The Power of One" and was delighted to find a resolution to this cliffhanger of a book. I'm halfway through "Tandia" and am enjoying it every bit as much as the first half of the story. No mention of a sequel is made at the end of this book, and that omission has undoubtedly been a source of "story anxiety" for many.

"The Power of One" combines immersive storytelling with Bower's unique ability to bring a book, to life with accents and emotional, theatrical delivery. Bower is the most talented voice actor since Mel Blanc did the Looney Tunes cartoons. Put this book on and take a 21.5-hour road trip. You'll be engaged with the story every second of the way.

My favorite book.

This is my third time through it, first time listening. I appreciated the narrator using the accents. It definitely helped shape the characters and socioeconomic landscape of the story.

An exceptional read!!

I wish I had read this book 30 years ago.
An important story written beautifully!

Amazing message contain within these pages

I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last! Inspiring, well written and action filled!

Absolutely Brilliant.

Possibly, no, probably the single most captivating story this South African has ever experienced. uSehlagampile umngan gwami.

One of the best boxing books I've read

This author never fails to deliver an interesting story. Great characters. Interesting story....a little far fetched but entertaining.

Review for The Power of One

I have read his books before, but this one had me transfixed! I was so happy to hear there is also a movie. Beautiful, heartbreaking story!

Spellbinding story

What made the experience of listening to The Power of One the most enjoyable?

This is a powerful sequence of interpersonal relationships and unforgettable characters. The insights into South African culture around the time of World War II alone are enough to make the book outstanding. As the author says, a fictional hero must be bigger than life. No single person could be quite as over the top as the Tadpole Angel, but anything less would be disappointing. This was the family summer read book chosen by the high school from which my grandson graduated. That is an outstanding endorsement.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power of One?

Peekay's fight with Botha

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

The narrator adds considerably to the interest as you hear unfamiliar words and speech patterns pronounced in the South African manner.

If you could take any character from The Power of One out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I think I could sit for hours at the feet of Doc listening to his stories, but of all the people I would like to meet Geel Piet would be the one I would want to take to dinner even though I am not interested in boxing. I could learn much from his wisdom.