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Stories We Tell Ourselves

Making Meaning in a Meaningless Universe

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Stories We Tell Ourselves

By: Richard Holloway
Narrated by: Richard Holloway
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About this listen

Throughout history we have told ourselves stories to try and make sense of what it all means: our place in a small corner of one of billions of galaxies, at the end of billions of years of existence. In this new book Richard Holloway takes us on a personal, scientific and philosophical journey to explore what he believes the answers to the biggest of questions are. He examines what we know about the universe into which - without any choice in the matter - we are propelled at birth and from which we are expelled at death, the stories we have told about where we come from and the stories we tell to get through this muddling experience of life.

Thought-provoking, revelatory, compassionate and playful, Stories We Tell Ourselves is a personal reckoning with life's mysteries by one of the most important and beloved thinkers of our time.

©2020 Richard Holloway (P)2020 Canongate Books Ltd World Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
- This book, through the author’s eyes, Richard Holloway, looks at the stories that we tell ourselves in societies that tell their own stories.
- The book looks at two stories in Genesis, one of which is that the world was made in 6 days and in the seventh God made man, and the story of Adam and Eve, whereby woman was made from the rib of Adam and then tempted added to take a piece of fruit from the tree and disregard God’s orders. The stories are literally stories and even with hindsight of scientific fact show the absurdities of them, yet people take the story so literally. It's absurd as we know that we live in a world that took billions of years to create.
- I recently listen to Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple who talked about how it’s a shame that companies don’t promote love and understanding rather than greed. Why can’t we tell ourselves better stories. The book also explores the narrative that we've created around drug culture. Also, interesting enough on capital punishment and when I was a child I was raised in a Catholic boarding school with Catholic priests regularly used the cane to beat me and others and you have to wonder why do people want to do that, priests causing suffering on others as a form of almost masochistic behaviour. I am sure the stories they told themselves were that it was for the best – really!
- The main reason for this author telling the story is that he really wanted us to listen and explain why he's still a Christian, who follows the teachings of Christ, though there may be no God, the teachings of Christ at least were all about forgiveness, love, and kindness, rather than the hatred that seems to be inflicted upon than at this moment in time.
- Food for thought.

tell more stories of love and understanding over g

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Some very good analysts and discussion spoiled by incredibly lazy and sloppy interpretations of the Bible.and dividing people into extremes as well as though nuances of interpretation didn’t apply. So disappointing from what us clearly a sharp mind.

Interesting but flawed

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This is a remarkable book and all the more so for hearing it in the author's own voice. I would suggest that it became required reading in all schools but for the fact that this would go entirely against the books philosophy. So please listen to this book if you can, but if you can't don't beat yourself up.

Please Listen To This Book

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I’m glad I listen to this book because the author takes you on an intellectually stimulating journey through religion and it’s raison d’etre, with which I agreed quite a lot. But towards the end of the book I realised that the author could not trust his own intellect above his ingrained Christian belief in God. Was his decision to follow Jesus’s teachings simply a cop out? I wasn’t sure. But I do agree that many of Jesus’s supposed teachings encapsulate civilised morality and are a good way to live.

Interesting but ultimately disappointing

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I was taught in a Salesian school and studied the Bible and both the Testaments. The author brings out a clear critique of Organized religion vs Spirituality. It’s a fascinating commentary and I loved the narration as well

Fascinating take on Religion and Spirituality

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One of the best books I have listened to. It was riveting and refreshing to hear such wisdom delivered with such clarity and without agenda. A true joy to listen to and easy to understand. It illuminated the stories of the past and their meanings, and their affects and relevance on our lives now. I wish everyone could hear this book. Beautifully read throughout, balanced in its view and insightful. Five stars all round.

Brilliant!

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A level headed review of the topic from someone who passionately cares. I loved it.

Richard Holloway is brilliant

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I’m very glad I read this and will definitely read and reread it from time to time to remember just how wonderful it is. Will be looking for more Richard Holloway.

So glad I read this book.

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This was beautifully read and written !! A thoughtful, intelligent and inspiring book about the stories told to help us muddle along in life.

Worth a listen

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After a few minutes of *not* enjoying Richard Holloway’s conversational style I grew to enjoy this greatly, pulling out some really profound ideas and thoughts. I would like to be more fluke this erudite and thoughtful man.

Definitely not my usual listen…

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