The Little History of Storytelling

The Little History of Storytelling traces how people have used stories to shape cultures, communities and shared understanding. Dawn Nelson begins with some of the oldest known cave paintings, found on Indonesia’s island of Sulawesi, before following storytelling through European history and its many forms.

Traditional narratives feature prominently, including Little Red Riding Hood and The Blacksmith and the Devil, tales described as possibly more than 5,000 years old. Nelson also considers storytelling as a living practice, drawing on her experience as a professional storyteller and writer of folklore, fairytales and fables. The book brings its history into the present with a discussion of artificial intelligence and its potential role in creative work.