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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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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.

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Critic reviews

"An engaging, erudite explanation of how he came to be where he now stands and is a warning against the cruel righteousness of many belief systems"
"If every priest and imam, every MP and CEO, every person like you and me read this, then the world would be a better place. It is devastatingly humane. It blends science, philosophy and religion and admits the art (and artifice) in these avowedly objective forms. Erudition and empathy; I wept" (DAMIAN BARR)
"Engaging and uplifting. . . . this personal, scientific and philosophical journey to explore what might be the answers to the world’s biggest questions is both playful and inspiring . . . The richness of this book challenged the short space of a review"
"Thought-provoking [and] stimulating . . . a sane guide through the turbulence of the modern world, one written with humour and self-deprecating pessimism"
"There is much in this book to make you think, much to provoke argument for and against"
"This may be the book I’ve been searching for, desperately, throughout most of my life . . . it represents a first step toward a new form of spiritual thought . . . What Holloway does most powerfully is dismiss certainty in all its forms, political as well as religious . . . Holloway brings a message of spiritual hope for all"
"Wise, witty and provocative . . . This is an important book, for all of us who want to understand the world and each other. You put it down refreshed"
"[Told] exceptionally well . . . Holloway is right to ask us to examine the story we live by to see whether it does in fact make us respond in practice to suffering. He does so with his characteristic honesty, verve and punch"
"Praise for Waiting for the Last Bus: A wonderful, wise, compassionate and befriending piece of work" (KATHRYN MANNIX, author of With the End in Mind)
"Thought-provoking, revelatory, grave and comforting. It is impossible not to be moved by it in the most profound way" (ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH)
All stars
Most relevant
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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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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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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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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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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