Helpful Score: 3
My most favorite book of all time. I've read it 5 times, and it never loses my interest
Helpful Score: 3
This is one of the best books that I have read and recommend it highly.
The reader is drawn into the story from page one as the young boy struggles to determine and deal with what is going on in his life during very turbulent times. It is a story of friendships, perseverence and the determination of a young boy as he grows into manhood and negotiates his way in South Africa, a place that is very dangerous physically, socially and emotionally. The story begins just prior to World War 2 and progresses to about 20 years later. Anyone who has seen the movie will not really recognize the book as it is much, much better.
All in all, a Great Read!
The reader is drawn into the story from page one as the young boy struggles to determine and deal with what is going on in his life during very turbulent times. It is a story of friendships, perseverence and the determination of a young boy as he grows into manhood and negotiates his way in South Africa, a place that is very dangerous physically, socially and emotionally. The story begins just prior to World War 2 and progresses to about 20 years later. Anyone who has seen the movie will not really recognize the book as it is much, much better.
All in all, a Great Read!
Helpful Score: 3
This is one of the best books I have read. I gave copies to both of my sons as young teens. They are now grown with families of their own. And to this day they each keep their copy to read from time to time for inspiration and reminder. Jan
A compelling tale of a young boy's refusal to be demoralized by fearful racial torment; of the discovery that loyalty, strength and courage can be fused in the 'power of one' so that nothing worthy of achievement lies beyond his grasp. The Christian Science Monitor
In 1939, as Hitler cast his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, hatred of a similar kind took root in South Africa where the seeds of aparteid were newly sewn. Therre a boy called Peekay was born. He spoke the wrong language--English, the language spoken by those who had sent the Afrikaners to the world's first concentration camps during the Boer War. He was suckled by a woman of the wrong color--black, the color of fear and disdain. His childhood was marked by humiliation and abandonment. Yet he vowed to survive--he would become welter-weight champion of the world, he would dream heroic dreams.
But his dreams were nothing compared to what awaited him. For he embarked on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice, where he would learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the mystical power that ould sustain him even when it appeared the villainy would rule the world; The Power of One.
Unabashedly uplifting..Asserts forcefully what all of us would like to believe; that the individual, armed with the spirit of independence-"the power of one'--can prevail. -The Cleveland Plain
A compelling tale of a young boy's refusal to be demoralized by fearful racial torment; of the discovery that loyalty, strength and courage can be fused in the 'power of one' so that nothing worthy of achievement lies beyond his grasp. The Christian Science Monitor
In 1939, as Hitler cast his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, hatred of a similar kind took root in South Africa where the seeds of aparteid were newly sewn. Therre a boy called Peekay was born. He spoke the wrong language--English, the language spoken by those who had sent the Afrikaners to the world's first concentration camps during the Boer War. He was suckled by a woman of the wrong color--black, the color of fear and disdain. His childhood was marked by humiliation and abandonment. Yet he vowed to survive--he would become welter-weight champion of the world, he would dream heroic dreams.
But his dreams were nothing compared to what awaited him. For he embarked on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice, where he would learn the power of words, the power to transform lives, and the mystical power that ould sustain him even when it appeared the villainy would rule the world; The Power of One.
Unabashedly uplifting..Asserts forcefully what all of us would like to believe; that the individual, armed with the spirit of independence-"the power of one'--can prevail. -The Cleveland Plain
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my all time favorite stories. It's one of those books you can read over and over again. A beautiful coming of age story in South Africa during and after WWII. This story will touch your heart.
P.S. the movie is nothing like the book.
P.S. the movie is nothing like the book.
Helpful Score: 1
A tale of marvelous adventure. Growing up in South Africa during WWII requires good survival skills; but a sense of comedy helps too.
Dawn R. (godblessourhome) reviewed The Power of One (Power of One, Bk 1)) on + 518 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
one of the BEST books i have eveer read (and a fantastic movie, too)! i wanted to read this book forever - i was sad when i turned the last page. descriptions are so vivid, you feel like you are living it.
Helpful Score: 1
The Power of One was one of the most incredible books I have ever read. I would recommend to anyone seeking a book that they cannot put down. Compelling!
This is the epic story of a young British boy's journey to becoming a boxer in Apartheid era South Africa. Well written and very touching. It is different from other books I've read and very inspirational.
I have tried, and tried, and TRIED to get into this book... just couldn't do it. I refuse to let a book go unread, so I will finish it, but only through drudgery. Sorry Bryce Courtenay, but this was so slow and pathetic at keeping its reader, I wouldn't recommend this one.
An excellent writer. Comedy in the face of adversity. A child learns what it means to be a man of integrity and treats everything in life with respect. I would recommend this to all.
In 1939 as Hitler cast his cruel shadow across the world, hatred of a similar kind took root in South Africa, where the seeds of apartheid were newly sown. There a boy called Peekay was born. He spoke the wrong language - English, the tongue spoken by those who had sent the Afrikaners to the world's first concentration camps during the Boer War. Peekay was nursed by a woman of the wrong color - black, the color of fear and disdain. His childhood was marked by humiliation and abandonment. Yet he vowed to survive - he would become welterweight champion of the world; he would dream heroic dreams.
Sometimes difficult to read emotionally. Well written, poignant, throughly excellent story-telling.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
I saw this title on my daily digest and clicked on it as it sounded interesting. Then I realized I had read the book decades ago, long before I was a member here. And I agree with other reviewers, it is a fantastic book. Highly recommended.
This book was great! The beginning was tough for me though. But once i understood the lingo, it was an "i gotta finish this" kind of book. Definitely recommend. The ending was great!
Enjoyed this book tremendously, a bit slow with the boxing vignettes but overall a good read.
One of the best books I've read this year. It's about a little boy, Peekay, who is sent to boarding school at age 5 in South Africa where he has to fend for himself. He is just a lonely little kid who must learn his life lessons from friends, peers and other people who come into his life. Race relations, apartheid, trust, friendship, endurance and perserverance are explored. I can't say enough about this book; I thought it was inspiring and profound.
Excellent story, interesting to see the development of a person and the influences that help. Set in and around WWII in a country of wide extremes and brutality. Definitely worth reading.
I could not get into this book. In fact, no one in my bookclub could - we stopped reading it
This is one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. Courtenay's voice draws you into the geography and the time period as if you were side by side woth Peekay. I was surprised to have tears sliding unbeckoned as I read of the tragedies in Peekay's life, and smiled broadly with the triumphs. How have I missed reading such a grand story before now?
Bryce Courtenay is one of my favorite authors. His ability to make your emotions take a rollercoaster ride is amazing. After I finished "The power of one" I couldn't wait to start "Tandia" the sequel to "The power of One". I was also moved that Peekay surrounded by hatred yet rose above it again and again.
A tale of a young boy's ability to prevail during his harsh boyhood in South Africa. I found the story too close to a fairy tale, with the exception that the final chapters left me empty instead of uplifted.
this is an amazing book about a young white boy growing up in South Africa. It made me laugh and cry and want to cover my eyes in horror, but at the same time i didn't want to ever put it down. can't get any better than that.
KellyAnne O. (GreenGarnet) -
This was of course not the first book i have ever read, and not the most grand, BUT with that being said I can say with absoloute certainty, that this book was the very first to touch me as a reader. And no book has ever 'touched' me as much as this one ever since.
It is a book i treasure and always will!
I recommend it to anyone who wants to 'feel' and not just read a book
An EASY 5 out of 5 STARS for this book
I'd give it a 6 if i could
and i say that about no other book
It is a book i treasure and always will!
I recommend it to anyone who wants to 'feel' and not just read a book
An EASY 5 out of 5 STARS for this book
I'd give it a 6 if i could
and i say that about no other book
This is one of my all time favorite books. I honestly cant remember why I picked it up the first time but thank goodness I did! I re-read this book every few years and love it more each time. From the first chapter I was hooked and had to follow the life of Peekay! FYI : The movie (although good) strays quite far from the book so please dont judge the book by the movie!
This book is well written but very dark so don't be surprised to shed a tear or two.
This book is in my top ten favorites. Very few books are so well written. I have yet to find a person that has read it that didn't love it!
Engrossing
