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The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story Paperback – January 1, 2014

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 374 ratings

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Can you captivate an audience with your story?

Many of us would love to hold the attention of a crowd, a classroom, or just a group of our friends by telling them a great story. We have felt the pressure of a public presentation or the disappointment of telling a story that others ignore. We are ready to be heard, ready to captivate.

In The Art of Storytelling, John Walsh takes us through the steps to presenting a compelling story—outlining the strategies that helped him move from stutterer to storyteller. This book will help any person with a story to share by walking you through all aspects of presentation . . . from what to do with your hands as you speak all the way to crafting a killer ending.

Whether you’re telling bedtime stories to your children or Bible stories to a congregation, this book will take your storytelling to a new level.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Wonderful! Everyone has the opportunity to share stories – some of us do a great job and others need a boost. The Art of Storytelling breaks down the steps necessary to tell a wonderful story! Mr. Walsh writes in a soft conversational tone that offers the reader the opportunity to learn without the fear of failure. A must read for everyone wanting to tell their story a little better. This would be a great gift for seminarians and anyone in the communications field. Enjoy! NetGalley and Moody Publishers provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review by Lynda Smock, October 10, 2013, Goodreads

What I liked about this book was that story-telling wasn't restricted to just kids, it's presented as a way of sharing that can work for everyone. And while the first application for story-telling that came to mind was for sermons, this book also shows that it's possible to use it in a classroom setting.

If you're looking for a book that will help you in Children's ministry or in any ministry that requires public speaking, you should definitely pick up this book.  4 out of 5 stars.

Review by Eustacia Tan, October 20, 2013, Net Galley

People of all ages enjoy listening to a good story told. Stories are often a more effective means of conveying instruction and truths than didactic, analytical teaching. John D. Walsh, in The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story gives readers, whether new to the art or are already experienced public speakers, tips and tools for improving their craft. Through numerous exercises and activities, the reader is encouraged to participate and practice honing skills that are introduced in each chapter.

John wants stories to become the point of telling stories. Too often in modern public speaking, stories are relegated to "spice up" sermons and presentations and to illustrate some points in them. The modern mindset has been conditioned to accept that stories are for children (and must have a stated application or moral), that "real teaching" happens in didactic lectures. John discusses how people relate to and recall stories far better than didactic teaching - lectures and sermons with "the big idea" or "here are three points."

The book itself is divided into three sections. Part one, the longest section, teaches the aspiring storyteller fourteen steps in preparing to tell a story. John further subdivides these steps into ten essential steps toward telling a good story, and four optional steps that may be taken to raise a good story to a great one.

This book is written by a Christian with the Christian audience in mind, but it can be valuable to anyone who speaks to an audience, whether to one or a million or anywhere in-between. Particularly, sections one and two are applicable to all public storytelling engagements. Even the third section can be valuable as case studies on how to turn written materials that may not initially strike the reader as a story, into an engaging story that can be told to an audience.

I highly recommend this book for all public speakers, but especially for pastors and church teaching staff. Rating 5 of 5 stars.

Review Mark Kubo, Net Galley, October 21, 2013

In The Art of Storytelling, John Walsh clearly demonstrates that storytelling is one of the most effective ways to connect with people's hearts and minds.

Walsh's valuable insights from a lifetime of storytelling are applicable to parents (who want to capture their children's imaginations), business men (who want to impart their vision to clients and associates), teachers (who want students to think on their own), public speakers (who want to improve their skills), actors and writers (who want their characters to speak volumes - even without words), and anyone who wants to improve their personal conversation skills.

Walsh packs much from his storytelling workshops into this clear, easy to read guide.

The author makes elusive communication concepts simple to understand, and he gives helpful advice for practical questions like - What do you with your hands while you speak? and How do I handle nervousness?

Towards the end of the book, Walsh talks about BibleTelling - using storytelling techniques to communicate Bible stories. In this section, Walsh explains why Bible teachers should not just give the point of the story away (which teachers are frequently tempted to do). Instead, Walsh shows teachers how to harness the power of storytelling to draw people in and get them to think on their own. As a result, life-changing connections are made!

Review by David Rainey, Net Galley, October 22, 2013

This book is not just a book about the techniques and methods of story telling. It is also a personal odyssey of the author's learning path toward great story-telling. He was inspired by people who spoke well. He was encouraged to pursue the path of public speaking by people who believed in him. He was willing to be trained, and to learn how to make stories come alive not just for himself but for the audience. The two pieces of advice Walsh provides in this book is worth remembering. Learn it well. Then teach it well. I am full of praise for this very powerful book of ideas that not only gives tips of how to craft and to present stories effectively, it inspires even the meekest persons or untrained individual to desire to give storytelling a shot!

I recommend this book highly for all speakers and speakers to be. Rating: 5 stars of 5.

Review by Conrad Yap, Net Galley, November 9, 2013

There seems much disagreement on if this is a good or bad book based on Biblical examples. Don't miss the point! People learn with stories, they remember with stories! Whether this is Biblical stories, a presentation at a seminar or reading to kids - don't we want them to remember? If not it's just a waste of time! And I don't like wasting time.

In full disclosure, I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review. And honestly, there's a lot of good information here, packed in a concise but complete book chock full of tips from warming up your voice before hand to dealing with the umm..uh...well... stammers. He gives solutions for nerves, and emphasizes practicing.

This is a good book with a lot of great info. If you get stalled because the examples he uses are "religious" you're missing a lot of good content that works just as well in a business presentation. Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Jan Hoadley, Net Galley 11/21/13

The Art Of Storytelling will help you if you need to be able to tell a better story, or give a speech.  Whether you are asked to tell a Story at Church, or teach a class.  The Art of Story Telling could benefit you.

John Walsh breaks this book up into short easy to read chapters, giving you techniques for Storytelling, in your Bible Class, Sunday School or anywhere els you may need to tell a story.  I wish I had this book when I worked with Children, because as short as it is, it is full with wonderful gyms, that can help you for years to come.

If you want to be able to tell a better story when you are asked to speak, or if you are a Sunday School Teacher who wants to better illustrate a lesson I would definitely reccommend The Art of Story Telling. Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Michelle Kidwell, Net Galley 11/21/13

This may be the most fun book I’ve read this year. As a writer, reader, and story lover, the title The Art of Storytelling grabbed me. Storytelling sometimes seems mysterious and out of reach. Storytellers are people from the past. You hear about ancient stories like Homer’s The Illiad and The Odyssey being passed down orally by storytellers. We’ve lost that sort of reverence for the storyteller in American (at least in my estimation).

I will admit I was bored with the first chapter. My two questions with the first chapter were: first, do we really learn all that differently from the past? Is there such a neat division between the previous generation and this current generation? I agree storytelling is undervalued, but I’m not sure it’s because we started learning differently. It would be interesting to see if there’s studies to back the claim up. Also, I’m not sure there’s such a sharp distinction between how men and women learn. I know some women who learn better with hard facts and some men that do or some that prefer stories and visa versa. These were minor parts of the book. Once he got into the techniques, games, and tips the book took off.

Review by Mathew Sims, Net Galley 12/5/13

Written by a person who started out as a stutterer, John Walsh is a Christian who has the Christian audience in mind, but his book can be valuable to anyone who stands in front of audiences of 5 people or 1,000 people. Learn it well, then teach it well.  If you’ve been looking for a book like this, and you’d love to work with the exercises at the end of the sections, then you should look into getting this book. 

Review by Spencer Robinson, Net Galley 12/27/13

John Walsh does a great job of taking you through the steps and art of story telling. He does so in a way that is interesting and engaging. This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to be a better, interesting and more engaging speaker and story teller. 4 out of 5 star rating.

Review by Darian Burns, Net Galley 1/17/14

Story telling is imperative when speaking to an audience. It is a great tool for keeping an audience engaged, and for helping a speaker to be relational and real with the audience--even Jesus did it to help explain things! However, it doesn't come naturally to everyone. This book takes the guesswork out of it and lays out the groundwork in an easy to understand way, explaining how to tell a story, and why it's so important. 5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Crystal Brothers, Net Galley 1/19/14

If this book were food, it would be a melt in your mouth roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered beans, hot rolls dripping with butter and best of all, a thick slice of warm apple pie with homemade vanilla ice cream.

It not only encourages and teaches a person to tell stories, but it provides the tools and ideas necessary to equip them. Best of all (the apple pie and ice cream), it tells us how to tell Bible Stories and why they are so effective. I both savored and devoured this book. I hope you will enjoy it too! Rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Jael Roy, Net Galley 1/20/14

Are you a story-teller? I know, that is a very open question but guess what? If you are breathing, you are telling stories. Some people might not think they are story tellers but they are. If you have ever told a story to more than yourself, you’re a story-teller. When I think of story tellers I don’t typically think of myself. I think of men like Max Lucado. I once heard him teach and I could have listened for hours. Time flew by so fast and when he was done I thought it could have gone longer. I consider Max Lucado a master story-teller. In John Walsh’s book, “The Art of Story Telling,” he walks you through step-by-step how to captivate your audience, whether it’s a classroom, a church, or a group of friends.

I recently recommended this book to a friend of mine that is a Bible teacher for a large women’s Bible study and she looked at me like I was an idiot but once I read off some of the high points from my notes (yes, I take notes when I read), she agreed it might be w

From the Back Cover

Can you captivate an audience with your story?

Many of us would love to hold the attention of a crowd, a classroom, or just a group of our friends by telling them a great story. We have felt the pressure of a public presentation or the disappointment of telling a story that others ignore. We are ready to be heard, ready to captivate.

In The Art of Storytelling, John Walsh takes us through the steps to presenting a compelling story—outlining the strategies that helped him move from stutterer to storyteller. This book will help any person with a story to share by walking you through all aspects of presentation . . . from what to do with your hands as you speak all the way to crafting a killer ending.

Whether you’re telling bedtime stories to your children or Bible stories to a congregation, this book will take your storytelling to a new level.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moody Publishers; New edition (January 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802411339
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802411334
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.41 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 374 ratings

About the author

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John Walsh
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John Walsh is an author, speaker, and professional storyteller. He is the founder of BibleTelling, an organization dedicated to using Bible stories for evangelism and discipleship. John is an expert at helping people learn and tell Bible stories. Those involved in BibleTelling travel around the world, speaking at conventions and conducting trainings for missionaries, pastors, teachers, and Christian workers. They go into prisons providing programs that change the atmosphere of the prison. They provide ESL (English as Second Language) programs, and Adult Literacy programs based on Bible stories. BibleTelling has lesson plans for adults, children, and young people. Along with this book, John has authored The Art of Storytelling, a practical guide on how to develop the skill of storytelling; Successful Living, studies in the book of Proverbs; and I’m not a Duck, memories of a few times God interfered with John’s plans.

See more of John's work at www.bibletelling.org and www.btstories.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
374 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides clear direction on storytelling and other genres. They find it easy to read and a great resource for everyone. The book offers practical advice and examples, making it a good follow-up to any book that gets them interested in communicating. Readers appreciate the concise guide with practical steps that are easy to implement. The language quality is well-written and easy to follow, providing confidence for both experienced and novice speakers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

27 customers mention "Storytelling skills"19 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the author's storytelling tips. They find the book helpful for beginners and veterans alike. The clear instructions on how to tell stories are a useful reminder for them. While some readers felt the book focused too much on Christian storytelling, others found it a great step-by-step primer for beginner storytellers.

"What an amazing tool for becoming a better storyteller! Truly captivating, inspiring, and easy to follow!..." Read more

"...insightful and practical resource for anyone looking to enhance their storytelling skills...." Read more

"...It's exasperating to non-Christian readers. I tried to return it, but I'd have to pay mail fees and I won't waste more money on this...." Read more

"...that I could about story telling from this great but very humble story teller. Yes, he is a Christian...." Read more

24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and helpful for storytelling. They appreciate the captivating cover and interesting language. The book is a worthwhile read and a great resource for communicating effectively. It also has a wonderful YouTube video series to complement it.

"What an amazing tool for becoming a better storyteller! Truly captivating, inspiring, and easy to follow!..." Read more

"...Nonetheless, it's a valuable read for anyone wanting to captivate their audience with memorable stories." Read more

"A great book teaching how to tell the stories of the Bible, making them interesting as well as factual and exciting...." Read more

"I Loved the book!..." Read more

17 customers mention "Practical advice"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides practical advice and examples. They find the steps easy to follow, making it accessible for beginners. The book offers a concise guide with good guidelines that are helpful for anyone looking to enhance their storytelling skills.

"...Truly captivating, inspiring, and easy to follow! It also has a wonderful YouTube video series to go with it!" Read more

"...My wife and I want to work through it together. It's just easier with her own copy, so we've ordered another...." Read more

"...While it offers plenty of useful tips and examples, I wish it delved deeper into advanced storytelling techniques...." Read more

"I really enjoyed the book. It shares very useful and practical ideas that anyone can use to better their storytelling." Read more

12 customers mention "Language quality"10 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and follow. It helps them feel confident in speaking before groups and encourages them to communicate effectively.

"...'s advice is bringing new life to the scriptures and new life to my ability to communicate, period!..." Read more

"...I think that ultimately it will provide good points in communication effectiveness, I'm already seeing the same tips mentioned by Dale Carnegie and..." Read more

"...It is well written and easy to follow." Read more

"This is exactly what I was looking for. Very creative and easy to read" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2020
    What an amazing tool for becoming a better storyteller! Truly captivating, inspiring, and easy to follow! It also has a wonderful YouTube video series to go with it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2012
    Yes, Walsh's book is a real eye-opener! Very cool.

    After just completing a couple of the exercises following Walsh's advice is bringing new life to the scriptures and new life to my ability to communicate, period!

    My wife and I want to work through it together. It's just easier with her own copy, so we've ordered another.

    We're also hoping to empower the kids to communicate instead of vegetate. Definitely better than T.V.!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024
    It is an insightful and practical resource for anyone looking to enhance their storytelling skills. The book breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-follow steps, making it accessible for beginners. While it offers plenty of useful tips and examples, I wish it delved deeper into advanced storytelling techniques. Nonetheless, it's a valuable read for anyone wanting to captivate their audience with memorable stories.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2012
    A great book teaching how to tell the stories of the Bible, making them interesting as well as factual and exciting. This is a workshop in "how-to's." It is an opportunity to learn new ways of communicating God's Word to others. I would recommend it for pastors, teachers, and anyone in a place of influencing people to read and heed the Bible for themselves.
    He does seem to, at times, embellish the stories a bit more than I am comfortable with. But the idea of practicing the stories and using interesting, exciting language is very good. So often, the stories become just "facts" to learn, rather than stories to "experience." And which, of course, is the most exciting? If one would experience the stories more, one would realize they are stories to be lived out, learned from, and retold to others. I recommend this book very highly.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2014
    I Loved the book! Perhaps I loved it more than some of these other people because I had the privilege of hearing John Walsh tell stories on more than one occasion. He captivated me and the rest of his audience. I wanted to learn anything and everything that I could about story telling from this great but very humble story teller.

    Yes, he is a Christian. Many of the stories that he tells are from the Bible. Others are not. If you read the Bible, you will find out that Jesus, too, told many stories to convey his message to people. I was not offended by anything in this book. I feel that a Christian or non-Christian could learn so much from him concerning the art of story telling.

    I read the book, applied what I learned, and believe that I am a better story teller because of it. I have also used this book to help other people become better story tellers.
    18 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015
    As an Amazon customer since 2001, I have bought many items and barely decide to write a review and/or return products. I'm surprised this book has a 4 stars and I should've paid attention to the negative reviews but the title was promising. HUGE mistake.

    I have more than 500 books in my library, more than 1,000 Ebooks and buy more books than what I can "literally" afford. I'm used to read boring history, scientific and psychology books.... But this book is beyond annoying- it's unacceptable-.

    The author tells his personal anecdotes as a Christian and forces the reader into his close-minded structure. If you buy this book, be prepared to read how the author complains about his personal fears of public speaking and how he exposes his fears and beliefs from a Christian point of view. It's exasperating to non-Christian readers. I tried to return it, but I'd have to pay mail fees and I won't waste more money on this. Please, unless you're a christian(preferably a fanatic that explains everything from the church's/pastor's/god's perspective), DO NOT buy it.

    I don't understand why the author had this book printed; it could have been posted on a journal online... May be on a section called "Christians struggling with public speaking fear" or "how to overcome public speaking fears?(only for Christians)."
    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2011
    Yeah, I got suckered in too. Nowhere on the cover does it hint that the book focuses on preaching and spreading the gospel more effectively, which although is not the only benefit of the lesson (as the author is quick to point out) it is clearly the main direction. I haven't finished reading it yet, I just wanted to voice my unexpected surprise at the overtone. I think that ultimately it will provide good points in communication effectiveness, I'm already seeing the same tips mentioned by Dale Carnegie and other interpersonal skill educators.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
    What i wanted

Top reviews from other countries

  • Charlee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great teaching about story telling
    Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2018
    The contents of the book it is really great, but I didn't know it was so religious. Aside from that part the teachings about how to tell a story are great and I learned a lot!
  • Abdus Mondal
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book to become an impact-full speaker.
    Reviewed in India on August 16, 2018
    This is the book I was looking for. If you would like to be an impact-full speaker , you must read this book. This book is structured well to assist you to organize the speech, how to structure the speech , so that your audience can retain them after leaving the venue and never forget the core part of your speech.
  • Steve Bunyan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2016
    Happy.
  • Jim Gimbel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good..
    Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2018
    Good ... not deeply insightful, beyond the first few chapters, for my course use. But worth it for that initial stuff.
  • Kaushal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully penned
    Reviewed in India on June 17, 2019
    Sweet and subtly written, though inside most of the things were common sense yet loved the book in totality for the perception.