Get Your Free Audiobook
-
The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals
- Narrated by: Hannah B. Harvey
- Series: The Great Courses: Professional
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Categories: Relationships, Parenting & Personal Development, Personal Development
Non-member price: $51.19
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History
- By: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a great public speaker can put you on the pathway to success, whether you're looking to teach, inform, persuade, or defend an idea. Yet many of us live in fear of public speaking. As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers. Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice.
-
-
WOW... Talk about inspiring
- By Anonymous User on 02-01-2021
-
Influence
- Mastering Life's Most Powerful Skill
- By: Kenneth G. Brown, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth G. Brown
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Don't just let influence just happen to you. Instead, take charge of your life by grasping the science behind how influence works and by strengthening your own skills at using it to your advantage. In this dynamic 12-lecture series, you'll discover how to tap into the hidden powers of influence - and use these powers to enhance your life in ways you never thought possible. Using clear and accessible language, Professor Brown teaches you how and why influence works.
-
-
Excellent collection of topics
- By Richard on 07-03-2016
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
-
-
Practical and Informative
- By Bradley on 18-05-2018
-
Building a Better Vocabulary
- By: Kevin Flanigan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kevin Flanigan
- Length: 18 hrs and 48 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Building a Better Vocabulary offers an intriguing look at the nuts and bolts of English, teaches you the etymology and morphology - or the history and structure - of words, and delves into the cognitive science behind committing new words to long-term memory. By the end of the 36 enjoyable lectures, you will have a practical framework for continuing to build your vocabulary by discovering new words and fully mastering the nuances of familiar ones.
-
-
Useful and worthwhile
- By Tom Saleeba on 15-04-2019
-
Unleash the Power of Storytelling
- Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results
- By: Rob Biesenbach
- Narrated by: Rob Biesenbach
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unleash the Power of Storytelling offers a practical roadmap to crafting and delivering more powerful, persuasive stories that you can use to get more of what you want out of your career and your life. Study after study confirms that stories have unparalleled power to break down walls, build trust, and influence people to act. More than facts and data alone, stories are fundamental to capturing and expressing our ideas, wishes, and beliefs and getting the results we want.
-
-
Great book, ironically full of stories.
- By Josh Hardy on 04-02-2020
-
Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques
- By: James Hynes, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Hynes
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From evoking a scene to charting a plot to revising your drafts, Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques offers a master class in storytelling. Taught by award-winning novelist James Hynes, a former visiting professor at the famed Iowa Writers' Workshop, these 24 insightful lectures show you the ins and outs of the fiction writer's craft.
-
-
Personable
- By P. Kelaart on 21-05-2016
-
The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History
- By: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a great public speaker can put you on the pathway to success, whether you're looking to teach, inform, persuade, or defend an idea. Yet many of us live in fear of public speaking. As you'll learn in these 12 invaluable lectures, all it takes is confidence, practice, and the knowledge of techniques and strategies used by history's greatest public speakers. Whether you want to finally become the confident public speaker you've always wanted to be or are just looking for fresh advice on how to strengthen your skills, this inspiring course is packed with practical advice.
-
-
WOW... Talk about inspiring
- By Anonymous User on 02-01-2021
-
Influence
- Mastering Life's Most Powerful Skill
- By: Kenneth G. Brown, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth G. Brown
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Don't just let influence just happen to you. Instead, take charge of your life by grasping the science behind how influence works and by strengthening your own skills at using it to your advantage. In this dynamic 12-lecture series, you'll discover how to tap into the hidden powers of influence - and use these powers to enhance your life in ways you never thought possible. Using clear and accessible language, Professor Brown teaches you how and why influence works.
-
-
Excellent collection of topics
- By Richard on 07-03-2016
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
-
-
Practical and Informative
- By Bradley on 18-05-2018
-
Building a Better Vocabulary
- By: Kevin Flanigan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kevin Flanigan
- Length: 18 hrs and 48 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Building a Better Vocabulary offers an intriguing look at the nuts and bolts of English, teaches you the etymology and morphology - or the history and structure - of words, and delves into the cognitive science behind committing new words to long-term memory. By the end of the 36 enjoyable lectures, you will have a practical framework for continuing to build your vocabulary by discovering new words and fully mastering the nuances of familiar ones.
-
-
Useful and worthwhile
- By Tom Saleeba on 15-04-2019
-
Unleash the Power of Storytelling
- Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results
- By: Rob Biesenbach
- Narrated by: Rob Biesenbach
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unleash the Power of Storytelling offers a practical roadmap to crafting and delivering more powerful, persuasive stories that you can use to get more of what you want out of your career and your life. Study after study confirms that stories have unparalleled power to break down walls, build trust, and influence people to act. More than facts and data alone, stories are fundamental to capturing and expressing our ideas, wishes, and beliefs and getting the results we want.
-
-
Great book, ironically full of stories.
- By Josh Hardy on 04-02-2020
-
Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques
- By: James Hynes, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Hynes
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From evoking a scene to charting a plot to revising your drafts, Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques offers a master class in storytelling. Taught by award-winning novelist James Hynes, a former visiting professor at the famed Iowa Writers' Workshop, these 24 insightful lectures show you the ins and outs of the fiction writer's craft.
-
-
Personable
- By P. Kelaart on 21-05-2016
-
Analysis and Critique: How to Engage and Write about Anything
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tap into the power of effective writing by developing the fundamental critical and analytical skills that transform your writing from "good" to "great." Regardless of your subject, goal, or occasion, these skills will help you organize your thoughts into a coherent piece, make a persuasive argument rooted in facts, and make responsible use of research materials.
-
-
Great tips for essay writing
- By onemanscave on 08-11-2016
-
Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 3rd Edition
- By: The Great Courses, Alan Charles Kors, Darren Staloff, and others
- Narrated by: Alan Charles Kors, Darren Staloff, Dennis Dalton, and others
- Length: 43 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For 3,000 years, mankind has grappled with fundamental questions about life. What is real? Who or what is God? When is it legitimate for one person to have power over others? What is justice? Beauty? This 84-lecture, 12-professor tour of Western philosophical tradition covers more than 60 of history's greatest minds and brings you a comprehensive survey of the history of Western philosophy from its origins in classical Greece to the present.
-
-
Some speakers better than others
- By Stacey on 23-01-2019
-
Effective Communication Skills
- By: Dalton Kehoe, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dalton Kehoe
- Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From asking a waiter for an unusual substitution to urging a service manager to get your car finished sooner to swaying your significant other toward a particular film or show, many of the decisions you make are decided by talking. And no matter why you engage in face-to-face talk, there's no way to insulate yourself from the dangers of miscommunication. These 24 mind-opening lectures are your chance to learn more about how you communicate verbally, the common problems you can encounter in doing so, and how you can improve your own effectiveness.
-
-
Best Book Ever
- By Vijay on 19-01-2016
-
A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts
- By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Bucholz
- Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During the 229-year period from 1485 to 1714, England transformed itself from a minor feudal state into what has been called "the first modern society" and emerged as the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world.Those years hold a huge and captivating story. The English survived repeated epidemics and famines, one failed invasion and two successful ones, two civil wars, a series of violent religious reformations and counter-reformations, and confrontations with two of the most powerful monarchs on earth, Louis XIV of France and Philip II of Spain.
-
-
Fabulous course
- By Helen on 15-05-2015
-
Outsmart Yourself: Brain-Based Strategies to a Better You
- By: Peter M. Vishton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Peter M. Vishton
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The brain is an astounding organ, and today neuroscientists have more insights than ever about how it works - as well as strategies for helping us live better every day. These 24 practical lectures give you a wealth of useful strategies for improving your well-being. By presenting evidence-based "hacks" for your brain, Professor Vishton empowers you to take charge of your life and perform better all around.
-
-
Fascinating
- By Jon on 25-01-2017
-
Systems Thinking and Chaos
- Simple Scientific Analysis on How Chaos and Unpredictability Shape Our World (And How to Find Order in It)
- By: Albert Rutherford
- Narrated by: Russell Newton
- Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We can encounter chaos in every system around us - even the smallest and simplest ones. Any system can fall into chaos, which prevents us to accurately predict its behavior. Even a small change in the initial conditions can lead to unexpectedly large-scale consequences. Therefore, we can often enter in panic, blame actors for events they are not responsible for, and our sense of security in the world can generally decrease.
-
The Psychology of Performance: How to Be Your Best in Life
- By: Dr. Eddie O'Connor, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dr. Eddie O'Connor
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice. Practice. Practice." Today, the relatively new science of performance psychology tells us that old answer is incomplete at best. In The Psychology of Performance: How to Be Your Best in Life, clinical sport psychologist Eddie O'Connor, PhD, shares the best ways for you to reach your personal Carnegie Hall based on the latest scientific research - whether your performance environment is music, dance, business, or sport.
-
-
Another ourstanding course from the Great Courses
- By Edward on 23-02-2018
-
Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills
- By: Steven Novella, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Steven Novella
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever. These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life.
-
-
excellent
- By George Broadfoot on 18-01-2015
-
Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer's Craft
- By: Brooks Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Brooks Landon
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why do some lengthy sentences flow effortlessly while others stumble along? Why are you captivated by the writing of particular authors? How can you craft sentences that reflect your unique outlook on the world? This lively, 24-lecture course introduces you to the myriad ways in which we think about, talk about, and write sentences. Reviving the sentence-oriented approach to studying writing, Professor Landon provides a greater context for what makes sentences great - and how you can apply these methods to your own writing.
-
-
Hard Work
- By Anita on 19-04-2020
-
Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive
- By: Peter M. Vishton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Peter M. Vishton
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Parenting advice isn't hard to find. There are thousands of books on the subject, as well as a multitude of websites. Much has also been written on the science of child development. What's been lacking, however, are sources of reliable advice that bring together the scientific research and its real-world applications.
-
-
Smart approach. Useful tips. Succinct delivery.
- By Ken Craig on 29-06-2017
-
The Storyteller's Secret
- How TED Speakers and Inspirational Leaders Turn Their Passion into Performance
- By: Carmine Gallo
- Narrated by: Carmine Gallo
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How did an American immigrant without a college education go from Venice Beach T-shirt vendor to television's most successful producer? How did a timid pastor's son surmount a paralysing fear of public speaking to sell out Yankee Stadium - twice? How did the city of Tokyo create a PowerPoint stunning enough to win them the chance to host the Olympics? They told brilliant stories.
-
-
Carmine is a legend and does it again!
- By Brett on 14-08-2019
-
Boosting Your Emotional Intelligence
- By: Jason M. Satterfield, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jason M. Satterfield
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We have all had experiences with people that prove that those with the highest IQs are not always the most successful. What could these very smart people be missing? Chances are it's emotional intelligence (EQ) - the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions in ourselves and others. Sounds very powerful, doesn't it? Could we really manage our own emotions, as opposed to having our emotions run the show? Could we really effect change in the emotions of our coworkers or family members?
-
-
Very Emotional
- By Margaret on 14-03-2019
Editorial Reviews
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
Publisher's Summary
An absolute treat for the heart and mind, these 24 lectures demonstrate how to master the art of storytelling, offering insight into the process of crafting and delivering a tale to enhancing the stories you tell everyday - to your children at bedtime, in your conversational anecdotes, and in your presentations at work. Teachers, lawyers, clergy, coaches, parents, and anyone who wants to understand the power of stories to capture hearts and minds will benefit from these lessons.
You'll discover practical methods for building dynamic tension and capturing - then maintaining - your audience's attention. You'll acquire tips and techniques for finding, selecting, and preparing stories, whether they're based on your own experiences, time-honored folk tales, or beloved family yarns. You'll also learn to choose expressive language, craft compelling characters, refine your narrator's point of view, shape your story's plot, structure, and emotional arc, use body language to connect with your audience, and more.
Part how-to workshop, part intellectual study of the history of narrative, these lectures feature exercises that literally get you moving to develop your stories and make them more enjoyable. Professor Harvey's interactive activities and "side coaching" sessions are designed to make you comfortable enough with your story to tell it naturally and make impromptu changes as needed. You'll even learn what to do if the unexpected occurs while telling a story to a roomful of kids or giving a presentation, and about the practical considerations of using props, PowerPoint, and microphones in various scenarios.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Colleen Kelly
- 06-03-2018
The most irritating voice/accent on audible.com.
What would have made The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals better?
This is the MOST irritating voice on audible.com. If she said "Nair-ator" one more time, or read "Little Red Riding Hood' again - I was about to run off into the woods myself. I would have returned this book, except it took so long to listen to her long boring repetition.
Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses again?
The Great Courses are normally BRILLIANT! This one was a BIG let-down
Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Hannah B. Harvey’s performances?
NEVER.....ah that hideous voice.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
Nothing original. Irritating voice. HORRENDOUS southern accent sounded like she hadn't finished high school.
Any additional comments?
Very disappointed. I would have returned this if I could have. Not nearly the normal standard of "The Great Courses"
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dalibor
- 18-12-2017
Great for film makers and other creatives
Where does The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
As a film maker, this book was good to further my knowledge in story telling. This was a good book. Downside is that there are some interesting grunts, sniffs etc while reading, which can get annoying, but I don't think it takes away from what the book aims to do.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals?
The most memorable moments were the story about her grandpa's hands. Such a simple story but a big lesson to be learned with how detailed or not detailed you need to be to focus on the story you are trying to tell.
Have you listened to any of Professor Hannah B. Harvey’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I have not listened to any of the other performances.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
This book really did bring some emotions out when some of the stories were told. The way the stories were told really made you feel like you are there. That's where I want to be with my story telling, so it was good to be in that space.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- seth
- 21-11-2020
Story telling review
This was a great book to listen to, easy to zone out and just listen to how she talks and adds in little stories and discusses them later. Could have been shorter but I still enjoyed it all. Lots a great tips and being able to use this in your family to pass on history of others or make new memories it is such a great skill to have and definitely worth using in your life and with family and friends.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam
- 09-07-2018
Great Stories. Frustrating Delivery at Times.
Hannah is a very talented story teller, but the longer I listened the more I realised that she consistently talks up women, while putting down men. That kind of devision wore me down by about half way. There is also a habitual fake ‘laugh’ that again works well at first, but becomes increasingly difficult to listen to. If those things don’t bother you, then you’ll learn a lot from this course.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 11-06-2018
Content strong along with accent...
Good content agenda. Note the narrator has a strong SE American accent and manner. This may not be as relevant for your local context.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jenova Whosawhatsit
- 06-06-2016
Ca'mon Bad Reviews! This course is amazing!
I was skeptical about this because of some of the negative reviews - people saying everything from there were "too many stories" to "I received no insight..." Upon listening to this and studying this course intensively i am utterly baffled. This course is AMAZING.
First of all - The audio course provides a great balance between telling stories and then analyzing the stories that have been told. The pdf it comes with is filled with a lifetime of practice and insight that will forever deepen my storytelling.
Her own stories are short and sweet and they're very touching. She also offers a few stories from other storytellers as well which are also short and very well done. The critique of there being too many stories strikes me as utter nonsense. Plus it's a storytelling course! You have to hear stories to learn what she is teaching!
Second - I find it incomprehensible how people could have listened to hours of this without receiving insight. She offers invaluable insights even in the first lecture about the nature of orality, remembering family histories, and gives a broad overview of the whole course. Over the course, she goes over so many incredible things such as how to rehearse, practice, memorize, embody, play with the time and perspective and the voice of the story and so much more (structure, hero's journey, empathy, emotional arcs, etc.).
The amount of storytelling technique given in this course is comprehensive and amazing. My own storytelling skill skyrocketed and I found myself exploring wholly new dimensions of storytelling I never thought about before. Also, she is absolutely brilliant, not just as a storyteller, but also as a scholar weaving political, cultural, and ethical dimensions to the art of storytelling.
How anyone could "not receive insight" from this is absolutely beyond me.
Third -I am guessing that some folks must just not appreciate or understand Appalachia style storytelling. I'm from NY, and didn't grow up where Hannah did, but I have heard many storytellers from Appalachia who have the same vocal style that Hannah does. If you don't like it, that's fine, but the degree to which people complain about it seems irrationally large given how much great content there is in the course. Also, she is insistent on helping you find your own voice and your own style, so why be distracted with hers?
To put it all together, this course was exactly what I was looking for and deeply broadened my awareness of and expanded my appreciation of the oral medium of storytelling. We should be grateful for such an amazing work.
298 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- BStro
- 02-07-2018
Increasing the audio speed helped
There is some helpful information but definitely not 12.5 hours of listening worth. There is a lot of repetition, unnecessary details, derails, and in general a lot of words spoken. I found her story telling style annoying. She lowers her voice to a whisper, slows down the talking speed, and gives unnecessary long pauses. I increased the audio speed to 1.25x, which helped me to stick with it and finish it.
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jacobus
- 21-12-2013
Superb, insightful but limited by audio only
'The Art of Storytelling' by Prof. Hannah B. Harvey is probably one of the best courses in 'The Great Courses' series. Not only does it deals with something no human being can get away from - the telling of stories - Harvey's presentation is absolutely exquisite, she has a way to draw you in.
So why don't I give it five stars throughout. Because you loose out tremendously by buying the audio only version. While listening to Prof. Harvey gives you the basics, there are so much more that is just not accessible when listening to the audio version of the course. I would have loved to not only hear, but also to see the storytellers, including herself perform by telling a story. You only hear the example 'stories' while it is used to help you with gestures, movement etc. She also gives valuable exercises on body posture and warming up your body and vocal chords before an performance. In the audio version you miss out on a lot of these.
That said, being a minister of religion that often preaches to various audiences, I was able to incorporate some of her ideas in one of my recent sermons. I was astounded with the reaction.
Prof. Harvey covers al the components of a good story, how to write or think up or identify a story as well as how to present or perform it. It is absolutely worthwhile and the self-help exercises (cross-training) she gives helps a lot.
Unfortunately you will want to have more. I found that the audio version of this lecture left me with a feeling of being cheated out of the most important part of storytelling - body language... maybe it is better to wait for a Great Courses 70% off sale, pay a little more (or a lot) and watch the video version. If you don't have that kind of money, the audio might just help you getting started.
112 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 09-03-2014
"Storytelling" = public speaking storytelling
I thought this course would offer more on the crafting of the stories, but it focused mostly on how to convey stories in a face-to-face, public speaking manner, from sitting rooms to auditoriums. There were a lot of points that I could see translating into crafting a story for all mediums, but not as much as I was hoping for.
I'm not taking stars off because I misunderstood what the intent was - that was my reading failure. What the course intended to cover, it covered well, though it didn't quite make it to an outstanding source.
The performance I debated with myself over. The instructor in the course obviously thought there would be a visual component, and her style of story telling, used in examples, was not to my taste. When not actually "storytelling", her instructions were clear and to the point, and the rationale clearly explained. I much preferred her lecture voice to her story telling voice.
In point of fact, I had more than a few occasions while listening where I thought that many of the narrators on Audible would benefit from this listen.
62 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kristel Knaus
- 01-07-2016
this will help you!
I got this course to help me with teaching. I thought that maybe it could teach me some folksy techniques that I could use. This course is much more than that! The professor teaches with passion how to"tell" not a, but your story. Yes, techniques are taught, but holistically, with the aim of self development. I loved this and heartily recommend it to you!
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- cfpaige
- 29-05-2015
Great storytelling, poor series of lectures
Performed with gusto and an obvious passion for stories, this series is abysmally light on substance. Each chapter summary will have you think, "This sounds amazing!" just as you realize the lecture didn't deliver. Often, it's because the lecturer gets so excited about her own skill, she reduces the lesson to, "Try to see what I did there. You just have to feel it."
Personally, I've also struggled with the lecturer's ticks, especially the ubiquitous laugh/snort she seems to use instead of punctuation, sometimes following stories that are not at all amusing. Which feeds into a greater problem, that of her seeming inability to see that establishing what a story is about to you doesn't give you the right to pull the rug from under the listener. A pet trick of hers seems to be telling a story as a joke, just to deliver a morbid ending that has not been foreshadowed at all. Finally, no matter what kind of a story she is telling, there is only one way she delivers them all. It gets tiresome.
Fun collection of stories. Not particularly useful for becoming a better storyteller yourself.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lance
- 16-03-2014
Too many stories, not enough lecture
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
As an instructional presentation on storytelling, there could be more focus on the elements of stories and storytelling and fewer actual stories. The number and length of the stories told by the lecturer, especially early in the series makes them seem gratuitous. I also don't find those stories to be particularly engaging or insightful. While she does use some good examples from other storytellers, I think the format of this lecture would be improved if even more, if not all examples were from other storytellers. Then it would seem more like an analytical lecture and less like a performance showcase for the professor.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
Fairly often, phrases delivered by the lecturer are punctuated by an almost-snort, kind of a self-deprecating half-laugh which I'm sure is very endearing in person, but highly distracting in an audio-only format.
54 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rick Allen
- 05-03-2018
but that's another story
This is the course for every preacher, teacher, sales person, and anyone and everyone makes the living based on or help by the spoken word. If you lecture, or tech Sunday school, or simply have opportunity to talk with mentor others, stories are the way we communicate. This course make you a better storyteller and will make you better at whatever you do.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Avid Bookreader
- 28-07-2015
Exceptional Learning Experience
If you could sum up The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals in three words, what would they be?
Extremely enlightening useful
Who was your favorite character and why?
Hannah, the professor who teaches this course is exceptional. She is funny, animated, extremely talented and knowledgeable. Her stories that illustrate the concepts she teaches are heartwarming and draw listeners into the techniques she teaches.
What does Professor Hannah B. Harvey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Dr. Harvey has great voice inflection and you need to listen to actual stories to understand and appreciate the oral techniques that she teaches.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Yes, I laughed many times, was really touched by some of the stories, and I am now convinced that I can be a good story teller following Dr. Harvey's instructions.
Any additional comments?
I am going to order the guidebook from Great Courses since there is no transcript. I will probably listen to the course again with the guidebook and take notes.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amber
- 14-07-2013
At least her voice was pleasant...
Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Hannah B. Harvey?
When I chose this 'Great Course,' I was under the impression that I would learn the invaluable secrets of a professional storyteller. I quickly figured out that there are no secrets; I waited hours and hours for the slightest resemblance of a tidbit of insightful knowledge, and it turns out that there weren't any at all to be found. I can think of a multitude of questions that I would've liked answered regarding the process of becoming a compelling storyteller, but instead, the information given in this audiobook was too simple. It's not that this 'Course' is developed for an elementary-level learner, but there wasn't any knowledge departed that wasn't already known from common sense. The majority of the audiobook is spent on the narrator telling stories about people she knows; and when the lessons concluded, I was left trying to understand the significance of the story and the lesson derived from it. There are no lessons in this Course, only a deluge of stories that the narrator thinks are interesting and which bear no significance to the 'lessons' given. Don't waste your time on this audiobook.
122 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Gareth Butterworth
- 22-06-2015
Storytelling, as taught by a poor story teller.
What would have made The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals better?
I really wanted to get in to this course, but I can't get over the poor storytelling skills of the tutor. Although she knows what it technically means to be a good storyteller, her application of those things she tries to teach and her cringe-worthy, nerve-jarring use of accents and dialects (most notable is her attempt at a Scottish accent, something she claims to have had coaching on. I don't know by who, but I don't believe they were Scottish) makes me completely lose trust in what she has to teach. One of the most annoying things about the whole audio book is when she exhales in a short blast through her nose at something she finds humorous - which generally isn't humorous at all, it's almost a confidence issue and does it through nerves (much like somebody might say 'urr' and 'umm' a lot when they are nervous). She does this a lot.
It very much feels like the subheading should have the "to Professionals" part taken out, as it does not feel like her performance style should be aimed at anyone older than early teens.
If she taught the essentials with a better storyteller performing the actual story parts, it would be a much better listen.
Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses again?
I certainly would, as they have some great courses in their catalogue.
Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Hannah B. Harvey’s performances?
Based on my experience with this book I very much doubt that I would.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
There will probably be plenty of listeners who have learnt something from this book, unfortunately if I can bare to finish the last 1/5 of it I am not likely to be one of them.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- D. J. Wilkinson
- 20-07-2015
Good but...
I found this book useful, with some really good insights. However I did find it a bit tedious at times. It could be a cultural difference between British and American Styles of story telling / listening. A preview of the points she is making would have been useful as it is not always apparent.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- ben grant
- 16-05-2019
Look elsewhere for story telling education
A massively qualified story teller, who leaves you bored and looking at your watch with every story she drags you through. Repetitive use of descriptive words and a lack of play by play of the techniques being used in story telling. Over worked examples of speed and pitch leaving the whole experiencing feeling forced, disconjointed and awkward. I selected this as I am on a journey of self investment, story telling can be powerful, but instead of being told how to utilise the skill, your exposed to a detailed account of personal stories that have no value to the listener. I would have preferred story’s or scripts that I can relate too and then analyse the story telling techniques at work.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- This Particular Reviewer
- 27-11-2020
Telling stories, not writing stories
So many books are about writing books and scripts, story structures, etc. This book is a out telling stories specifically. Yea it covers structure and narrative arcs and emotional arcs, etc. But also so much more around being a narrator, accents, and body posture to communicate depth. An excellent series if you want something practical about telling stories, not just a theoretical treatment.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Peter
- 10-08-2020
A wonderful insight into expression.
I really enjoyed listening to every aspect of these lectures. I'm no one for telling a good story and indeed public speaking but I now find myself with every interaction now having snippets of this course popping into the mind urging me to engage and thrive through the spoken word.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 05-08-2020
Masterful lessons and performances
I really enjoyed the lessons. It gave me good understanding of narator, story and audience
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Daniel
- 29-09-2017
It's time to share your story!
Storytelling can benefit you in every day life, sales and business! This was a great overview of tools and tips you can use to add dramatic effects to your story. Her delivery is quit
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Michael W.
- 28-06-2016
informative, instructive and brill!
this course gives the listener a solid framework for understanding storytelling and how it reaches others
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Gergana
- 07-03-2015
Erudite and Inspirational
Where does The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This book brought me back to my long forgotten love of storytelling. It provides practical ideas of how to structure the creative energy of the story as well as practical advice on voice control, memorizing and connecting with the audience. I am definitely going to listen to this again and again.
1 person found this helpful
20 Best Fantasy Audiobooks
This genre is so full of talent, it can be difficult to know what to listen to next — so look no further than this list to get you started.



20 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks
From the entire history of humanity to astrophysics, to our gut and mental health, dig into this list and learn something new.



Best Australian Podcasts on Audible
Audible Original Podcasts are free for Audible members. Check out this list of home-grown content, from binge-worthy true crime to self-help.


