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It's uncertain how many of the events the book describes are real, and how many are purely metaphorical. In another vision, Nohadon asserts that he did make the journey that forms the basis for the stories; however, the factuality of the individual parables is disputable.{{book ref|sa3|103}} In addition, it's possible that some details have been lost or altered over the ages.{{wob ref|7930}}
== Influence ==
At around five millennia old, ''The Way of Kings'' is one of the oldest known texts to have survived to the present day.{{wob ref|7930}} Unlike most other literature and documents from that era, which were preserved only in [[Dawnchant]] and thus, until recently, impossible to read, ''The Way of Kings'' was continuously translated, ensuring its survival in the public consciousness.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}} A major force behind this were the [[Vanrial]], an order of artists dedicated to preserving ancient texts and songs.{{book ref|sa1|45}}
Though [[Surgebinding]] predates [[Nohadon]], the ancient [[Knights Radiant]] were heavily influenced by ''The Way of Kings''. It's suggested that their [[Immortal Words|Ideals]] were based off the book.{{book ref|sa1|52}} In particular, it appears as though the [[Order of Bondsmiths]] owns much to its teachings, as the very first lines suggest their Third Ideal.{{book ref|sa1|118}}
This book had enormous impact on both [[Gavilar Kholin]] and, later, [[Dalinar Kholin]]. After having it read to them several times, they become more and more honorable, which is a large contrast to typical modern [[Alethi]] behavior. Interestingly, both began to receive [[Almighty]]'s visions through the [[Stormfather]] after they began to listen to ''The Way of Kings''.{{book ref|sa1|12}}
In addition, ''The Way of Kings'' is of great personal importance to Dalinar. Following his brother's death, he began to put himself back together after listening to [[Jasnah Kholin]] read it.{{book ref|sa3|105}} Over the following years, he re-listened to it multiple times and began to base his own outlook on the world on its teachings.{{book ref|sa1|12}} In addition, two of his visions, one of which didn't come from Stormfather, were concerned with [[Nohadon]] and his work. When the time came to confront [[Odium]] at the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Dalinar decided to carry the book with him rather than taking any weapon.{{book ref|sa3|115}} Odium destroyed this particular copy in an attempt to break Dalinar's spirit; however, by then he had taken its teachings to heart.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
== Excerpts ==
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