The self emerges in a sociocultural practice where storytelling is essential. We constantly tell ourselves new stories. Over time, our perspective on our lived and anticipated lives changes. What remains constant is the deeply human fact that we rely on recognition. In storytelling, we transform bodily experiences into shareable insights, allowing others to partake in our existence. Through this process, we gain insights into our lives, but we also entangle ourselves in self-deceptions. Self-narratives form the foundation on which not only the individual's sense of self but also their relationships can flourish. Jürgen Straub discusses core questions of a theory of personal narrative identity and takes the reader on a journey from Montaigne to Ricoeur, from Nietzsche to the present day.