Trip to the Moon : Understanding the True Power Of Story

John Yorke

ISBN 10: 0241631084 / ISBN 13: 9780241631089

Published by Penguin Books Ltd (UK) Jan 2026, 2026

About this Item

Neuware - 'The best book on 'story' that I have ever read' Jimmy McGovern 'A masterpiece . . . genius - funny and wise and occasionally profound' Billy Ivory A masterclass in telling stories - and how they shape our world - from the internationally renowned narrative expertTo command narrative is to control a sometimes frightening power. What is it that turbocharges some tales, and how is it possible to harness that potency John Yorke has revolutionised our understanding of story structure. In this new book he delves deeper - into how to put that structure to work in the world. Trip to the Moon takes us on a journey not just through drama and fiction but through politics, religion and non-western narrative, to seek out the role of story in all our lives, examining how to utilise its lessons to create life-changing tales - and, in a world aflame with conspiracy theories, to guard ourselves against their darker purpose too.Revealing the artful symmetry and underlying principles that connect Summer beach reads to Classical Chinese poetry, superhero flicks to Russian arthouse, and classical rhetoric to state propaganda, Yorke makes dazzling connections that show how stories have the power to transfigure the chaos of our existence into a new equilibrium, and make the world anew.

Seller Inventory # 9780241631089

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Trip to the Moon : Understanding the True Power Of Story
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (UK) Jan 2026
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241631084
• ISBN 13: 9780241631089
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 240W x 162H x 43D millimeters 240 millimeters width by 162 millimeters height by 43 millimeters depth
• Weight: 748 grams

About this title

Synopsis

'The best book on "story" that I have ever read' Jimmy McGovern

'A masterpiece . . . genius - funny and wise and occasionally profound' Billy Ivory

A masterclass in telling stories - and how they shape our world - from the internationally renowned narrative expert

To command narrative is to control a sometimes frightening power. What is it that turbocharges some tales, and how is it possible to harness that potency?

John Yorke has revolutionised our understanding of story structure. In this new book he delves deeper - into how to put that structure to work in the world. Trip to the Moon takes us on a journey not just through drama and fiction but through politics, religion and non-western narrative, to seek out the role of story in all our lives, examining how to utilise its lessons to create life-changing tales - and, in a world aflame with conspiracy theories, to guard ourselves against their darker purpose too.

Revealing the artful symmetry and underlying principles that connect Summer beach reads to Classical Chinese poetry, superhero flicks to Russian arthouse, and classical rhetoric to state propaganda, Yorke makes dazzling connections that show how stories have the power to transfigure the chaos of our existence into a new equilibrium, and make the world anew.

About the Author

John Yorke is a producer, consultant and lecturer on all forms of narrative - from speech writing and advertising to drama - and the author of Into the Woods. As former Head of Channel Four Drama, Controller of BBC Drama Production and MD of Company Pictures, John has tested his theories during an extensive production career working on some of the world's most lucrative, widely reviewed and critically acclaimed TV dramas, from EastEnders to Shameless, Life on Mars and Wolf Hall.