From Apes to Apps: How humans evolved as storytellers and why it matters

by Trish Nicholson

Our brains are structured to make sense of the world in the form of narratives – stories. Not only that, we are primed to believe the stories we hear. How could this have happened? And why does it matter?

In the easy style of the storyteller, social anthropologist, Trish Nicholson, discusses current research in neuroscience, psychology, archaeology and linguistics to explore these two key questions. It matters because adaptations that enabled us to thrive in prehistoric times leave us vulnerable in the changed environment of our global digital age.

"From Apes to How Humans Evolved as Storytellers and Why it Matters", is a cautionary tale none of us can afford to ignore.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2013

About the author

Trish Nicholson is a social anthropologist, storyteller, author of narrative non-fiction, and a former columnist and features writer whose work has been published in national media in the UK and Australia. She has travelled extensively in the Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, Africa, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, India, and Australia, and now lives in New Zealand. You can read more of her work on her website: www.trishnicholsonswordsinthetreehous... (where there really is a tree-house) and follow her on Twitter @TrishaNicholson

On my website you will find posts about travel worldwide, musings and tips about writing non-fiction and short stories, and a photo-essays of people, places and wildlife. I hope youenjoy your browsing.

Reviews

[Sue Uden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read, and so much enjoyed Trish Nicholson's 'Journey in Bhutan' and seeing that the title mentioned storytelling, I decided to try it, but I must confess that I found the prospect of reading a 'science book' rather scary. I thought 'From Apes To Apps' would go wizzing straight over the top of my head.
How wrong I was, particularly as it turned out to be the story of story, and I love stories. Even better, rather than making this exclusively highbrow science, the author has continued with her usual easy reading, humorous writing style. This, coupled with the book tying together and making sense of bits and pieces of knowledge that were just lurking in the shadows of my brain, it has also inspired me to put a couple of her recommended further reads on my TBR list.
There are some fascinating surprises in this book, especially on how reading stories can affect us, and there is a sting in the tail!
I would definitely recommend you to read it.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent multi-disciplinary explanation of current knowledge of the key role of storytelling in human development.