THE POWER OF ONE

“THE POWER OF ONE”

I’m probably the last one on the planet to read “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay.  I discovered this absolutely marvelous book, with remarkably complex characters, some time ago but frankly did not have the time to invest in reading until a few days ago.  The characters literally come to life as you go from chapter to chapter.  Their personalities evolve as you turn the pages.  Getting to know them is like looking through a dirty glass window but as you progressively clean the glass you get a much better indication as to what they look like.  As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Klipklop, Dee, Dum, Inksoi-Inkosikazi, Grandpa Chook, Peekay, Hoppie Groenweld, Big Hattie, Geel Piet and a host of additional colorful characters that provide great delight for the reader.  Mr. Courtenay weaves these individuals into the life of the young man Peekay, the major character of the book.   Another wonderful facet of the book is the introduction of words, apparently found only in South Africa during that generation. Rooineks, mootie, pisskop, sjambok, kaffir, tackies—all bring great variety to the reading experience. 

The theme of the book is, obviously, the power of one:  one idea, one heart, one mind, one plan and one determination.  This charts the road to success for Peekay.  We find this little boy going from a bullied five-year old to the welter-weight champion of South Africa and what a remarkable journey he does take to reach that point.   Peekay is challenged by the words of fly-weight boxer Hoppie Groenweld:  “First with the head, then with the heart. That’s how a man stays ahead right from the start.”  One must admit, a powerful and valuable concept that can and should be applied to affect success for any endeavor.  These words, adequately applied to one idea, can produce results far beyond all expectations.  I think one idea, with one plan for implementation, can carry an individual towards resounding success.

I strongly recommend you read this book—then give it to a member of Congress.

THE TWELFTH IMAM

THE TWELFTH IMAM

One of my new year’s resolutions is to read more.  Generally, I read about two books per month but that’s dependent upon having enough time to really get into a good book.  I’m not the type to begin a book, read five chapters then put it down for two or three months.  The book must be interesting enough to “read through” or I don’t begin in the first place.  I must admit that I am from the “old school” that says–you begin a book, you finish a book.  Sometimes I do feel cheated but not with my latest “reading adventure”.

I just completed reading “The Twelfth Imam” by Joel C. Rosenberg, published by Tyndale Books.      This is the first book I have read by Mr. Rosenberg and I must say I am very impressed by his style and ability to organize complex material into an exciting and coherent story.  He is one of those authors who can produce a generous blend of fiction and fact; weaving those two elements together so that you really aren’t that sure as to which is which.  He uses a writing style producing chapters that are two, three, four pages in length, which I consider to be definite plus.  There are ninety (90) chapters in “The Twelfth Imam” and each chapter moves the story line in a fashion that generates continued interest and keeps the reader constantly engaged.   I have, like all of us, read books in which the chapters are twenty-five to thirty pages in length with large doses of minutia spread in an ample fashion throughout.  This book considers the reader and yet delivers with continuity.  It is complex to the point that necessitates listing all of the characters at the very beginning and prior to chapter one.  You get to know “who’s who in the zoo”.  Very good practice in my opinion.   The main character is Mr. David Shirazi (AKA Reza Tabrizi ).  Mr. Shirazi is a CIA operative who uses a telecom in Munich as cover.  His assignment is to infiltrate an Iranian organization working to produce a nuclear weapon of mass destruction.   The twelfth Imam factors into the story as the “promised one” prophesized to bring about the destruction of the “great Satan” and Israel.  The story line moves very very quickly but, quite frankly, ends in manner that leaves the possibility of several outcomes, depending upon your optimism –or the lack thereof.  I think there is definitely room for a sequel and hopefully Mr. Rosenberg will do just that.

I can definitely recommend this book to you as a wonderful “read”.  You will not be disappointed and it will be time well spent.    I just hope the contents do not represent the future of the Middle East.