Sample

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: 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
    5,839
  • 4 Stars
    1,132
  • 3 Stars
    264
  • 2 Stars
    92
  • 1 Stars
    86
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,069
  • 4 Stars
    570
  • 3 Stars
    109
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    40
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,663
  • 4 Stars
    840
  • 3 Stars
    189
  • 2 Stars
    76
  • 1 Stars
    56

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

excellent read. deffinitly worth the time

what an excellent book. widens your prospective on alot of subjects and the power and strength of friendship. weather a chicken or business partner.

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

life changing

Just read it. Amazing resilience, and very original. Everyone should read this book. Unforgettable 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
    5 out of 5 stars

Bullying works!

Another book to prove that bullying works, one year of hell at 5 years old sets the man up for a lifetime of success in order to avoid such hell again.

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 thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book

great narration and sounds. awesome story that had very well developed characters with complex personalities and histories. the story was sad in parts but reading it never left me feeling sad because of the treatment of the material. i am not at all interested in boxing but.... this was one of my favorite books of all time so don't let the topic scare you away.

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

Stunning

The power of this one audiobook kept me awake at night, kept me company on walks during the day, and kept me inspired by the story from first word to last. A remarkable glimpse into a tortured and beautiful life and culture. The narration? Superb and flawless! Favorite audiobook so far!

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 went to South Africa

I consume a lot of books, and I travel. This story transported me, taught me to appreciate Africans culture, and was the best story I can remember hearing.
It will take awhile to process the changes in me--I will be thinking about it for awhile.
I will get myself to South Africa, because of this book, as soon as I can (Oct 2022 for the Jacaranda blooms?).
This book is in my top 3, at least.
The narration was spot on--all the right accents, and easy to imagine all the different 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
    5 out of 5 stars

Favorite book

The story is complete c and enchanting. Intelligent ideas and educational history. My new favorite.

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 books I’ve ever read! ABSOLUTLE!

I loved everything about this book and cannot possibly give it a high enough recommendation! Everything was pure gold — from the incredible story, and the amazing character development, to the frequently inspiring undertones of human spirit struggling to survive against a backdrop of stifling racism and bigotry so predominant throughout South African apartheid. This talented narrator (with his articulate control of a multitude of global accents) did an absolutely exquisite job “performing” this story in such a heart melting way, that it often feels as though one is standing right there amongst the characters in the middle of this story. A++ Bravo!!!

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

fantastic

could not stop listening. I laughed and I cried. by far one of the best books.

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
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favourite books

This is the first time I listened to the audiobook version, but I've read the book before as it is one of my favourite books ever. . It just keeps getting better every time I read it

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!