Arrow: The Power and Poison of Story

by William Gadea, James Kingsland (Editor), Manuela Martin (Illustrator)

222 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[Fritz Oltmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that it took me 15 – 20 pages to get into this book. I really expected more of Memoir. In a way the book deals with 3 different subjects; Neurology, Buddhism with personal stories tying it together.
I did enjoy reading the discussions of recent scientific studies of the Brain. 2 of the most memorable books I have read in the last 5 years have been scholarly works, The Dawn of Everything by the 2 Davids and Eve by Kat Bohannon. Thankfully, Arrow was able to make it’s points more concisely than the works I mentioned.
One chapter I particularly remember was “The Deluded Monarch” (No, not a Trump reference). The inner monologue, which every human relies on, is compared to a Parliament of countless factions all vying to be heard. A decision is made and passed onto the Deluded Monarch, which is our consciousness.
The author directly answers the question of why he feels himself qualified to write about neurological topics without “credentials.” He has spent a lifetime considering these matters as he describes in the chapter entitled My Namesake.
Finally, I have not commented on the many Buddhism references and what is called the “Connected Self’ in the book. It’s really the heart of what the book is about and does not lend itself to summation. Obviously, I recommend that you read the book yourself, it will be time well spent.

[David Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read. Mr. Gadea tells of both a personal journey and a theoretical inquiry into how stories shape our perceptions of self, and compellingly presents a central question with regard to the power of storytelling: if stories can influence us so deeply, how do we navigate their potential pitfalls and find our own personal narratives within? By incorporating much of his own personal anecdotes, he weaves together both scientific and philosophical thought, from Darwinian evolution to the teachings of the Buddha, to understand the role of storytelling in shaping our minds and behaviors. At the heart of the book lies the challenge of understanding the self not as a static, singular being but as a complex interplay of stories and evolutionary impulses, and he encourages the reader to reflect on how these influences may lead to a better understanding of our own mindfulness and self-awareness, all the while exploring this inquiry in a style that is both engaging and provocative. Highly recommended.

[KELLI DANIELS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrow: The Power and Poison of Story by William Gadea is an exceptional, thought-provoking exploration of how narratives shape human behavior, belief systems, and collective identity. With sharp intellect and creative insight, Gadea dissects the double-edged nature of storytelling its power to inspire and its capacity to manipulate. Supported by vivid examples and elegant prose, the book invites readers to look beyond entertainment and see story as a force that directs societies, molds values, and even governs emotion. The illustrations by Manuela Martin complement the writing beautifully, while James Kingsland’s editorial precision ensures clarity and depth throughout. Arrow is not just an analysis; it’s a mirror to our culture, reminding us that every story told from film to politics has consequences. A stunningly original and necessary work for writers, thinkers, and anyone curious about the influence of narrative in modern life.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous! It is beautifully written with great care and structure. The chapters describe the components of Story, but each chapter is independently fascinating; I often found myself starting to follow a thread on what I would like to learn more about. The author does a great job presenting summaries of scientific concepts with clarity and avoiding denseness. He skillfully uses examples and metaphors to explain and pull in the reader's interest. I think the author's personal story (used with restraint) is very relatable. His discussion of aspects and commonalities of world religions is well done and should appeal to a large audience. The book includes much well-documented information on how the brain works, leading to ideas about how to give oneself a more satisfying life. I'm so glad I read this book!

[Julie Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place and why it occasionally drives you insane.

Gadea takes on nothing less than the entire history of consciousness—from single-celled organisms to screenwriters—and somehow makes it feel personal. His thesis is that story is both our superpower and our undoing. It’s what built civilization. It's also what keeps us lying awake at 3 a.m. rewriting conversations we had three years ago.

For creative people, this book is catnip. It explores why we make things, why our narratives feel like oxygen and why we sometimes need to step outside the stories we’re spinning before they eat us alive.

It’s rigorous, beautifully written, occasionally funny and weirdly comforting. Gadea doesn’t tell you to stop telling stories; he just helps you see how to live inside them more sanely.

[Richard Yonck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrow: The Power and Poison of Story is an original! Combining insights drawn from meditation, Buddhist teachings, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, evolution and more, Gadea weaves a story about our deep relationship with story that is both compelling and entertaining. Blending science history, parables and moments from the author’s own personal life, every page inspires, informs and provokes. It’s a book every reader will take something different from, including the reflections they’ll return to long after they’ve turned the final page.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrow, The Power and Poison of Story is a sharp, insightful exploration of how stories shape us for better and for worse. It blends psychology, narrative theory, and clear, engaging storytelling to show just how deeply stories influence identity, decision making, relationships, and culture at large. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reconsider the narratives you live by, and recognize both the healing and harmful power of the stories we accept. Thought-provoking, accessible, and packed with resonance.

[Bob Mcfalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heart of “Arrow” is the nature of the human mind and how we use stories to both motivate and define ourselves, with both its positive and negative ramifications. Mr. Gadea creatively mixes tales of scientific discovery, personal experiences and zen parables - spanning the modularity of the physical mind to the quest for spiritual enlightenment. It’s written in a humble easy going style that makes it an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you feel confused or thrown off kilter by the world in 2025, you may want to read Arrow.

It's unusually thoughtful. It helped me feel situated in my own life and, more importantly, showed me what it looks like to make sense of one's own life in writing. I highly recommend this book as both insightful and a guide to how we can all put the pieces of our lives together and feel more situated in a chaotic time.

[Laurie Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wide ranging and ambitious. Not just for followers of Buddhism, though I imagine it would definitely enhance the read. As a writer, the book asks and answers many questions I find myself asking when working on stories. I particularly enjoyed the personal anecdotes.

[Alex Vlahov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gadea deftly weaves together multiple sources of inspiration to help readers reconsider the history and development of storytelling among the human species. An impressive feat and eloquent unpacking, unrivaled in scope.