The Power of One is a novel by South African born, Australian author Bryce Courtenay, first published in 1989. Set in South Africa during the 1930s and 1940s, it tells the story of an English boy, who through the course of the story, acquires the name of Peekay. In the film version, the protagonist's given name is Peter Phillip Kenneth Keith. The author identifies "Peekay" as a reference to his earlier nickname "Piskop": Afrikaans for "Pisshead.") It is written from the first person perspective, with Peekay narrating (as an adult, looking back) and trusting the reader with his thoughts and feelings, as opposed to a detailed description of places and account of actions. A film adaptation was released in 1992. Source: Wikipedia (en)