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The Story of Stories: The Million-Year History of a Uniquely Human Art

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The Story of Stories: The Million-Year History of a Uniquely Human ArtAn irresistible and enchanting journey through human history from mankind's earliest fires to the latest smart phones that tells the surprising and untold story of storytelling. Joan Didion told us, "We tell ourselves stories in order to live." And yet, the story of stories has never been told until now. MIT technology pioneer Kevin Ashton was at the forefront of the digital revolution that led to the invention of the smartphone, the ultimate

An irresistible and enchanting journey through human history--from mankind's earliest fires to the latest smart phones--that tells the surprising and untold story of storytelling.

Joan Didion told us, "We tell ourselves stories in order to live." And yet, the story of stories has never been told until now. MIT technology pioneer Kevin Ashton was at the forefront of the digital revolution that led to the invention of the smartphone, the ultimate storytelling device. This latest technology in the long arc of human storytelling allows anyone, for the first time in history, to tell stories to everyone. In The Story of Stories, Ashton tells the untold story of storytelling. The result is an eye-opening, compelling journey through the eight great revolutions of storytelling, all of which follow a simple pattern: each major new storytelling tool increases the number of people who can share stories and the number of people with whom those stories can be shared.

Our first night-fires created the earliest audiences for spoken stories. Language did not lead us to stories; stories led us to language. In time, the development of rhyme, song, and other mnemonic devices allowed those spoken stories to be preserved for generations; pictures drawn on cave walls turned preservation into permanence, telling stories we still experience thousands of years later; writing enabled storytellers to spread tales to faraway places; the Chinese invented printing with moveable metal type around 700 CE; the Toltecs independently invented it at about the same time; 750 years later Gutenberg independently invented it again, adding a converted wine press to create the mass production of mass communication. Over time, printing presses increased the number of storytellers and the size of their audiences by many orders of magnitude, a trend which led us to great revolutions, and electric, then electronic, then digital storytelling and all our storytelling tools of today--and tomorrow's.

In this remarkable book, more than twenty-five years in the making, Ashton looks at the development of human storytelling to help us understand where we are in the latest iteration that is the digital era. Drawing on examples from art, literature, music, and pop culture, from the Bible to Bon Jovi, Aristotle to Artificial Intelligence, Frederick Douglass to Facebook, and cave paintings to cinema, The Story of Stories is a passionate and crucial exploration of how stories and the tools we use to tell them continue to change us, cause revolutions, and connect us to each other and give our lives meaning.

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SKU: 88745269733

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Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth the money
Size: 90 Count (Pack of 1)
Works well for sleep
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Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2026
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Elle
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Naturally sourced, quality magnesium softgels, with bioavailability and absorption support.
Size: 90 Count (Pack of 1), Size: 90 Count (Pack of 1)
As someone who’s been using magnesium for years and likes to rotate between different forms like glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, and L-threonate. I’m always on the lookout for magnesium supplements with smart formulas, especially those that prioritize bioavailability and absorption, since I’ve had issues with nutrient absorption in the past. This marine derived magnesium in softgel form really stood out to me, as I prefer softgels for bioavailability and absorption support. I’ve never been able to find a quality, natural, non-synthetic magnesium supplement in softgel form but I feel like I finally have.This aquamin magnesium was completely new to me and I found it genuinely refreshing, as it’s a break from the usual synthetic forms. You can tell right away this isn’t just another basic magnesium supplement. I’m impressed by this being a natural form of magnesium that contains 72 trace minerals that are naturally sourced from clean Irish seawater and sustainably harvested. I really appreciate the addition of avocado oil, as it helps support better absorption of magnesium. It's also a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. Additionally this contains an ingredient completely new to me called AstraGin, which is naturally derived from astragalus and panax notoginseng. It was clinically shown to help support enhanced absorption. I really like seeing this in this supplement facts, it’s a big bonus for me, having nutrient absorption challenges. Although, anyone would benefit from high bioavailability and support for enhanced absorption. The focus on bioavailability and absorption was a big stand out, it’s exactly what I want to see in choosing a supplement. I usually use magnesium bisglycinate because of its high absorption, but this one actually claims even higher solubility compared to both glycinate and bisglycinate. A serving size of three oblong softgels provide 600 mg of magnesium sourced from sea water, 990 mg of avocado oil and 33 mg AstraGin. I love that my body is getting the support of a new form of magnesium that is natural and pure with the benefits of avocado oil and additional absorption support. healthy fats, I found three softgels easy to swallow, but I can see how these might be more challenging to have to take three of this size for a serving. I had no aftertaste or stomach upset, these seem very gentle overall. This is a high-quality magnesium supplement that's naturally sourced, with a focus on bioavailability and absorption support, that’s been clinically tested, and made with purity and transparency in mind. This is a true standout in my magnesium rotation. If you're looking for a magnesium supplement, I highly recommend trying it.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2025
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Susan Shain
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 1
Not worth it.
Size: 90 Count (Pack of 1)
NO.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2026
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Sophia Bezirganian
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Most Illuminating Psych Book I've Read
Format: Hardcover
As a psychiatrist, I have yet to read a more illuminating book on how mental illnesses can develop, and how to help patients' to become free of them. Existential Psychotherapy presents a theory of the existential forces that drive all human beings--knowledge of death, of our aloneness in the world, and of "meaninglessness" (the utter inconsequence of our one life in the entirety of the universe). It shows how these forces are powerful influences in shaping human mental health and illness. Other reviewers here point out that the basic existential issues Yalom presents are well-known to academics and to many literate people who are exposed to them in that good, broad, liberal arts education we (still?) get in college. But what Yalom achieves in this book, has not to my knowledge been accomplished before (nor since): a presentation of these ideas to an audience of clinicians in a lucid, beautifully written, way that is salient to the daily practice of psychotherapy. Yalom is a rare psychiatrist who is not only a master of the art of teaching and practicing psychiatry, but for this book, ventured into philosophy, literature, history, and sociology, and then integrated the wisdom each brings to the study of human nature, into a clear and cohesive whole, a beautifully written theory of the existential dimension of men's fears, drives, and actions, and how this dimension creates mental illness or health, depending on how each person handles it. What is amazing is how such a book is now buried in the archives of (relative) obscurity, while others, recycling the same old tired ideas, reign on. So what do these lofty insights in Yalom's book contribute that is unique and powerful to us lowly practitioners toiling daily in our offices in the (seemingly more banal) task of helping patients with daily crises, complaints, resistance to change, and painful repetitions of self-destructive life choices? One very important tool: a true understanding of the power of existential concerns, not only in creating mental illness and self-destructive life paths, but, by shining a light on them-- capturing that elusive force of change: MOTIVATION. This force, and how to harness it to help patients overcome their suffering, has for me been one of my greatest challenges as a doctor. And one for which most books on psychotherapy have fallen short in helping me tackle. In the sections "death" and "will", (two of the four main sections in the book), Yalom forges a path that I could follow, to help my patients free themselves of the fears that block motivation for change. In short, Yalom shows how the anxiety about, (and thus avoidance of) awareness of our death and aloneness, can cripple us into denial, and resistance to changing those of our behaviors that shield us from these truths. But, these very fears, when faced and reframed--as the awareness of one's finite limits, and of the freedom that comes along with one's aloneness, become extremely potent engines for change. Other peoples' judgements, and fear of failure, lead us to believe that the human "judges" are the most important threat in our lives. But in Yalom's world, these feared judgements pale in comparison to the the consequences of inaction. When we live with acute awareness that we waste our only life when we are beholden to judges who are after all, mortal and alone just like us, this can shake us up to MOVE and LIVE, in this finite life, in a way other insights cannot. This example of how avoidance of existential fears leads to anxiety, low self-worth, and depression, is but one vignette in this book. Yalom applies his theory to the gamut of mental illness, and includes discussion of how narcissism, perversions, obssessions, masochism, sadism, ...the list goes on, are fueled by existential concerns. Yalom argues that they all boil down to one of two main strategies we humans employ to "forget" Death, Aloneness, and Meaninglessness: Either we escape too much into the protective cover of the GROUP, and become mindless group robots who drone through life until illness, or loss forces us to suddenly face our mortality, at which point many of us panic, or become depressed, OR, we get sucked into this defiant delusion : "I am SPECIAL"...smarter, more rebellious, unfettered by the social conventions of meek men, thus free of death's jaws". This reaction then can lead to reckless, impulsive, pseudo "powerful" behaviors that are often the fuel of many "acting out" mental problems: addiction, sociopathy, sadism, and narcissism. Enough of my words-read and feel the power of Yalom's words in this great book.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2006
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Verified Purchase
Searching the Stars
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
A Great Work on the Dynamics of the Human Condition
Format: Hardcover
Irvin Yalom, Professor Emeritus at Standford in psychiatry, has written a masterful book on the human condition (published in 1980). "Existential Psychotherapy" is singularly one of the best books I have ever read. Why? Yalom has combined 1) his intellectual insights in psychology with 2) his practical observations in therapy with 3) existential thought. He seeks to show that much of the anxiety we face as human beings, and seek comfort for in psychotherapy (or religion), originates from the existential facts of being a mortal, free being. He focuses on four main areas: death (our inner structure will go to nothing), freedom (we are forced to make momentous decisions without full information), isolation (we are alone in many fundamental ways) and meaninglessness (we don't have a clear picture of what it really means). From literature, psychology, philosophy and some theology (Tillich), Yalom has created a definitive text on what it means to open our eyes fully to our existential situation. It is not a depressive text, as the goal is to come to terms with our condition. And ironically, facing the truth of death, for example, makes life richer. This is much more than a self-help book, it is a philosophical-psychological masterpiece. I have a Ph.D. in the philosophy of religion and have published several articles in leading journals and don't give out the kind of praise I am giving here easily. It is one of the best books I have ever read, and I think a wide range of people would profit from it. Yet it's a difficult book, not an easy self-help read. But Yalom is such a clear writer that most readers could follow it. When he uses technical psychological or philosophical terms, he usually explains them. Otherwise, the dictionary must be used. This text would be helpful for people in the helping professions in giving an existential aspect to their work. Religious thinkers and those interested in philosophy should pick it up at any cost. Any educated person could profit from it greatly. It's a long text, and I had to break it up by carefully reading some from each of the main four parts simultaneously to get a view of the whole. It's a bit dry at times, but thoughtful, perceptive, educational in many fields, --it's ....wisdom literature....I can't think of a higher compliment.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2013

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