Search - The Power of One

The Power of One
 
The Power of One
Author: Bryce Courtenay

Book Information
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780345359926 - ISBN-10: 0345359925
Publication Date: 3/13/1990


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover

Book Description:
"Unabashedly uplifting."
THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
Set in a world torn apart, where man enslaves his fellow man and freedom remains elusive, THE POWER OF ONE is the moving story of one young man's search for the love that binds friends, the passion that binds lovers, and the realization that it takes only one to change the world. A weak and friendless boy growing up in South Africa during World War II, Peekay turns to two older men, one black and one white, to show him how to find the courage to dream, to succeed, to triumph over a world when all seems lost, and to inspire him to summon up the most irrersistible force of all: the Power of One.

Members who requested this book also requested:

Similar books to this author and title:
The Kite Runner


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Scott P. (Stampman) wrote on 12/9/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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!

(tipytoz) wrote on 2/23/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

My most favorite book of all time. I've read it 5 times, and it never loses my interest

Janine G. (alibrian) wrote on 7/2/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

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


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Stephanie R. (doedie74) wrote on 8/25/2009...


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.

KellyAnne O. (GreenGarnet) wrote on 7/24/2009...


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

Scott F. wrote on 12/31/2008...


This book is well written but very dark so don't be surprised to shed a tear or two.

Nicole N. (sunshaula) wrote on 10/20/2008...


This is one of my all time favorite books. I honestly can’t 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 don’t judge the book by the movie!

Hermine R. (herlibrary) wrote on 8/23/2005...


Engrossing


Book Wiki
Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors