The Gift of Stories - by Robert Atkinson (Paperback)

About the Book

The stories we tell about ourselves are guided by cultural patterns and enduring elements. The current interest in mythology has made evident how the classic hero's journey represents a theme not only common to all the world's myths, but also our own lives today. The Gift of Stories offers a clear concise basis for understanding the nature and potential of sharing our stories. It provides specific, practical, instructional details for telling our own stories and gives the necessary guidelines for assisting others in telling their life stories. Its basic framework enables individuals with little experience to begin writing about the really important aspects of their lives and understanding how and why the universal elements of the stories we tell contribute to our continuing growth.

Book Synopsis

The stories we tell about ourselves are guided by cultural patterns and enduring elements. The current interest in mythology has made evident how the classic hero's journey represents a theme not only common to all the world's myths, but also our own lives today. The Gift of Stories offers a clear concise basis for understanding the nature and potential of sharing our stories. It provides specific, practical, instructional details for telling our own stories and gives the necessary guidelines for assisting others in telling their life stories. Its basic framework enables individuals with little experience to begin writing about the really important aspects of their lives and understanding how and why the universal elements of the stories we tell contribute to our continuing growth.

Review Quotes

.,."a totally transformative book, filled with real-life workable writing tips, as well as enduring stories worthy of retelling."-Kids Books Column

.,."Thoughtfully organized and presented in unencumbered language, this is a useful guide empowering individuals to relate the important aspects of their history and remembrances. Collectively, life histories are important to a shared account that contributes to our continuing growth. It is an important manual for all."-Come-All-Ye Legacy Books

?...a totally transformative book, filled with real-life workable writing tips, as well as enduring stories worthy of retelling.?-Kids Books Column

?...Thoughtfully organized and presented in unencumbered language, this is a useful guide empowering individuals to relate the important aspects of their history and remembrances. Collectively, life histories are important to a shared account that contributes to our continuing growth. It is an important manual for all.?-Come-All-Ye Legacy Books

..."a totally transformative book, filled with real-life workable writing tips, as well as enduring stories worthy of retelling."-Kids Books Column

..."Thoughtfully organized and presented in unencumbered language, this is a useful guide empowering individuals to relate the important aspects of their history and remembrances. Collectively, life histories are important to a shared account that contributes to our continuing growth. It is an important manual for all."-Come-All-Ye Legacy Books

About the Author

ROBERT ATKINSON is Associate Professor of Human Development in the College of Education and Director of the Center for the Study of Lives at the University of Southern Maine.