The monograph by B.N. Putilov is a generalizing theoretical study of a complex of problems associated with the art of masters of oral epic. In the book, based on the materials of the epic of the peoples of Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, on the observations of numerous domestic and foreign researchers and on the field materials of the author himself, special sections are devoted to training storytellers, mastering the epic world and mastering "epic knowledge," expanding the repertoire. Legends are considered about the receipt by the singers of the epic of the "wonderful gift" of storytelling. The art of performing epic legends, its ritual nature, and the singer's relationship with the audience are described in detail. A significant section of the book is devoted to the problem of "The Storyteller and the Epic Text": with numerous examples, the author confirms the theory of Parry - Lord, according to which epic singers did not remember the memorized texts, but each time recreated them as if anew, relying on the specific technique of poetics of the epic.