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
    5,800
  • 4 Stars
    1,132
  • 3 Stars
    261
  • 2 Stars
    92
  • 1 Stars
    85
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,031
  • 4 Stars
    570
  • 3 Stars
    107
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    40
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,627
  • 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

Masterpiece

I have been looking for a storyteller matching Jeffrey Archer but didn't have too high hopes. Then I read Jack of Diamonds and fell head over heels in love with Bruce Courtenay.
So in short: Power of One is one of the best book I've ever read, and Humphrey Bower performs just according to that.
Get it NOW!

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

WOW!

I love, love, love this book. Very inspiring and full of rich history. If you are a historical fiction buff, this book is for you-if you just love a great coming of age story, this book is for you, and if you love a good book, this book is for you!

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

I was very pleased to have listenent to this book

Where does The Power of One rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

very interesting

What other book might you compare The Power of One to and why?

Whitethorn, as that book was similar to the power of one

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The different excents he puts on He is excellent

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the last chapter

Any additional comments?

Bryce Courtney has some excellent books and I have put 2 more in my wish list

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

Narrator is faithful to the voices of South Africa

The story and the vivid characters are so compelling that I found myself thinking about them all during my day. But the virtuoso performance by Humphrey Bower makes the book truly spring to life. I returned from a month in southern Africa having just finished listening to The Power of One and I was amazed at how accurately Bower reproduces the many different voices I heard there.

I doubt I would have enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed listening to it.

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

wow

I can't believe he's going to throw the story away. Thank God his wife pulled it out of the trash and made him submitted to be published. an amazing story about a young mans life and the the people that can shape our understand of the world.

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

Feedback for a first-time listener/new subscriber.

Captivating! I was unable to stop listening and felt truly connected to the main characters. I highly recommend this audiobook.

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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Epic Story

While I enjoyed this epic story about the life of this boy from childhood to young adult, I found it slow and hard to listen to. It lacked the enthusiasm that keeps me wanting to come back to a book. I did however make it through the entire book and think perhaps this might be an instance where the movie might have done a better job telling the story.

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

one of the best stories

loved the story and the narrator! one of those that you wish would never end.

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

Amazing Story

Despite the fact that some of the detail did not interest me nor did I understand it, I really enjoyed listening to this book. Not only is the story which is based on fact amazing,but the use of the English language is so beautiful and well done. The narrator was the most amazing narrator I’ve ever heard with every accent mesmerizing. This is a story of strength and courage and perseverance and brought me to tears several times. I Will miss the main characters!!

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
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Wonderful book. I read it because it was one of the books my son had to read for school and I had heard it was a great story. I was not disappointed. Some memorable lines. "First with the head and then with the heart". The narrator helped make me feel I was in South Africa. I would not have done justice to the pronunciation of many of the names and sayings. Would recommend.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!