56 pages • 1 hour read
The Storytelling Animal
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Book Brief
248
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Storytelling Animal, Jonathan Gottschall examines how storytelling shapes human life, arguing that humans are inherently driven to create and inhabit stories. He explores storytelling's role in evolutionary development, social cohesion, and psychological functions, using scientific studies and literary analysis to illustrate the universality and diversity of narratives across cultures. The book also discusses the potential for storytelling to deceive or manipulate through examples like conspiracy theories and influential fictional narratives connected to historical events like Adolf Hitler and Richard Wagner's operas.
Informative
Contemplative
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
7,634 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall is lauded for its compelling argument on the innate human urge for storytelling, blending science and humanities seamlessly. While readers praise its engaging narrative and thought-provoking insights, some critique it for occasional repetitiveness and lack of depth in certain areas. Nonetheless, it remains an enlightening read.
Who Should Read The Storytelling Animal?
Readers who would enjoy The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall are curious about the evolutionary and psychological roots of storytelling. Fans of works like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell will appreciate Gottschall's accessible blend of science and narrative.
7,634 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker
A cognitive psychologist and linguist whose theories on language and thought provide a backdrop for understanding storytelling as an evolutionary trait that enhances communication and social bonding.
Brian Boyd
Brian Boyd
A literary scholar who views storytelling as "cognitive play," offering safe spaces for experimentation with social scenarios, thus aiding cognitive and emotional development.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
His diverse body of work exemplifies storytelling's role in reflecting and shaping human experience, illustrating cultural cohesion and introspection.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
His theory of natural selection underpins the argument that storytelling is an adaptive trait essential for human survival and social evolution, enhancing communication and group identity.
248
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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