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The Power of One

By: Bryce Courtenay
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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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
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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.

What listeners say about The Power of One

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Brilliant narration of a great book!

I read this book several times years ago and it remains one of my favorites. The audio version is absolutely fantastic. Humphrey Bower's brings this great book to life.

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Tadpole Angel

narrative, voice, soul... First with the head, then with the heart. Courtenay has crafted a masterpiece of wit, strength, and compassion that binds us all - black, white, yellow, pink, blue, gentile, jew, Brit, Yank, Afrikanner, Zulu, Yugoslav, Russian ... all tribes and seemingly important distinct identities... - into the power of One. I just finished listening as the sun came up over Mount Olympus, salt lake city, Utah, and I am speechless, subdued... and eternally grateful. I found Mr. Bryce Courtenay through my love of the audio presenter, Mr. Humphrey Bower. To you both, I give my sincere thanks for the life and courage you have planted deep, through the text and the life you've given it, that will live within me always.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Don't be put off by the movie.

I put off reading this book as I had seen the movie many years ago. I really enjoyed the movie and thought that the book would be pretty much the same but in more depth. Whilst on a Courtenay marathon I decided to get the book and listen to it in it's originality. I was very surprised at the differences between the book and the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to all Courtenay fans.

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Fabulously Entertaining

The Power of One pulls you in immediately! Could hardly wait to listen to next chapter.... looking forward to more stories by Bruce Courtenay.

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Held my attention

A good story with excellent narration. a good book for someone who wants to listen to a book outside of their usually - preferred genre.

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Powerful!!!

As an Afrikaans lady/women this was probably one of the least likely books to ever read..... but wow, what a story & what an experience! I fell in love with the characters the narration was superb & I must admit I cried unashamedly when grandpa Chuk died.... loved the ending… revenge is so sweet.

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Wow!!!

Any additional comments?

I do a lot of driving, and only listen the audiobooks when I drive. I couldn't wait to get in my car, and went the long way home more than once. I loved the author, the narrator, and the story, and will remember all for a long while.

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Amazing!

Loved every minute of it! Narrator brought the story alive with its many characters! Boom!

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New Fan!

I am a new fan of Bryce Courtenay...this being my first ever, I'm super excited to try others by him.

This book kept my constant interests from start to finish. The story is great for people of all interest. I plan to read the second book next.

I thought the narrator was great and the story is smoothly told....I may even decide to read it again sometime down the road just because I enjoyed it so much!

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One of the best books I've ever "read".

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

I could not stop listening to this book. It was very moving and powerful. One of my favorites.

What did you like best about this story?

This was story I had never heard before. I could not guess what would happen at any time. I loved PK.

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

The accent given for each character and the singing. I cannot stop singing about the Tadpole Angel.

Who was the most memorable character of The Power of One and why?

Other than PK, there was Doc and Geel Pete- they made the book.

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