Rating: 
Summary: Wow...This was amazing
Review: The Power of One is an amazingly powerful novel. It is definitely the best book I've ever read. The novel deals with South Africa during the beginnings of apartheid, and all this is explained the the journey of one boy. this is truly my favorite book.
Rating: 
Summary: An Upifting Story of Triumph over Adversity
Review: Bryce Courtenay has written a thought-provoking page turner in "The Power of One". The book follows the journey of a young boy through the trials and tribulations of WWII era South Africa. The reader is introduced to the main character with an intimate insight into the mind of a child subjected to almost unbearable hardship and torture by his boarding school classmates. Starting from a base of terrible abuse and neglect, Courtenay takes his readers along for the ride as his hero, Peekay, navigates the river of life. The reader can little help but take pride as Peekay discovers boxing, and develops his craft with both passion and skill. Running throughout the work is the persistent use of boxing as a metaphor for life. Jabs, crafty footwork, lightning fast combinations, and more come to symbolize the approach to life taken by the young Peekay. With admirable finess and cunning, Peekay manipulates the system to his every advantage, while in his mind ring the words of an early mentor, "first with the head, then with the heart." This book is an outstanding, insightful treat to read. One caveat: In his zest for a clean end to the work, Courtenay seems to me to abandon many of the principles that guide Peekay through the first several hundred pages. One may question the author's chosen conclusion, but in spite of any disagreement I may have with it, I still wholeheartedly endorse this book as one of the finest works of fiction I have had the pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: Eleven Out of Ten -- Absoloodle.
Review: The measure of a truly great novel is the persistence with which it occupies the reader's thoughts after he finishes it. Such is the case with Bryce Courtenay's fine work ' a semi-autobiographical coming of age story that takes place against the backdrop of South Africa during and after World War II.'The Power of One' is a treasure trove of mentors, friends, villains, history, and boxing. The tension between Englishman and Boer is prominently displayed, as is confusion over the African's place in society and the emergence of apartheid. The protagonist's struggle with a childhood tormentor, aptly named Botha, is symbolic of the struggle against nationalist Boer repression. While most histories of the British Empire brush upon the antagonistic relationship between the English and Boers, Courtenay's first-person account illustrates the visceral distaste and odium that these two peoples had for each other. Many of the memorable characters appearing in this book are drawn from the author's life, and were vivid enough to provoke reactions from this reader. Overall, the writing is balanced, properly descriptive when needed, and uncluttered when not. The plot is engaging and leaves one staring longingly at the book from across the room when forced to put it down. Much has already been said about this excellent book, and most of it put in more eloquent terms. Suffice it to say that because it celebrates the boundless nature of human spirit, 'The Power of One' is a novel that truly deserves to be classified as modern literature.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for all concerned with humanity!
Review: At the risk of repeating the praise of others, this is definately one of the most powerful, entertaining, gripping and meaningful novels that I have ever read. Simply put, Courteny artfully addresses complex issues like education, morality, ethics, racism and social unjustice, classism, religion and religous hypocrisy, and human nature in a very simple, easy to read story. You will finsih this book feeling as though you want your child to experience and challenge life as Peekay does, and you will wish that you could spend your youth with the Professor! Enough said--buy it--read it--keep it and have your kids read it!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: Years ago I rented an obscure movie that I had never heard of. It was the "Power of One" and my husband and I loved it. I told several coworkers about it and anyone who saw it loved it. We purchased the soundtrack and loved it (we wore out the casette.) Only recently did I think about purchasing the movie before it couldn't be found. In doing so I heard about the book. I wish I had read it sooner. I couldn't put it down. Its simple yet profound narrative is very compelling. I can't say enough how much I love this story. It's even better than the movie. While enjoying the story there are great lessons about life to be learned. The story is full of wonderful observations that only a child would come up with. Very compelling, interesting, absorbing, and entertaining. Read it wether or not you have seen the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: A male friend of mine strongly recommended this book, and when I finally got around to buying it months later, my female self recoiled in horror when I looked at the back cover and read something about "welterweight champion" and boxing. I almost put it back on the store shelf. I'm thankful I didn't, because I feel I was introduced to a wonderful and very talented writer. His gift for detail is amazing, especially his sense of dialogue, and the way certain characters have patterns of speech and quirky expressions particular only to them. I also felt that I learned a bit about S.Africa in general, particularly regarding the longstanding animosities between the English and the Boers, of which I was only dimmly aware. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Best book I have ever read.
Review: This is one of those books where you are compelled to highlight throughout its entirety. Full of life's messages, one can only wish they could understand life as deeply and as passionately as Courtenay does. I will remember Peekay in my heart forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Unrealistic and dull
Review: This book is overly sentimental and maudlin. Hardly anything bad happens to the main character after the first few chapters. I REALLY wanted him to die! And now there's a sequel! NOOO!!
Rating:
Summary: Misrable plot, but it keeps you reading.
Review: This can be described as a book with an excess of words, but still makes it point. Its plot is very weak, but its concept is good. The author does a good job showing the Apartheid issue through the eyes of an English boy, instead of the Bantu or Afrikaner. This unique perspective is, however, the only thing keeping this book up. If you have a lot of time, you should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: the best book ever!!
Review: "the power of one" was the best book i have ever read in my 16 years on earth. SURE it isn't Really that long- but i have read alot of books in that time. The second i saw it i had to read it. it really hit home as my father my sister and i went there for a month 2 years ago. it was the best holiday in my life. i related with the places mentioned too- we stayed at cape town, jhonnasburg, swaziland and kruger.it only took me three days to read this book, during which i had to go to school, so that shows alot! it is utterly astounding, you could never begin to comprehend to anomosity there, but your book captured it perfectly. THANKYOU.
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