The Body Keeps the Score

Author Bessel van der Kolk
Narrator Sean Pratt
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Publish Date 24 October 2019
Run Time 16 hours and 16 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Coping with / advice about PTSD and other psychological traumas, Popular psychology, Psychiatry, Trauma and shock.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NEW YORK TIMES AND AUDIBLE BESTSELLER

The effects of trauma can be devastating for sufferers, their families and future generations. Here one of the world's experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body.

This inspiring and timeless audiobook is read by Sean Pratt.

'An astonishing and important book. The trauma Bible. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone struggling with...well...anything' Tara Westover

'Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller' Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery

© Bessel van der Kolk 2014 (P) Penguin Audio 2019

Critics Review

Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years

Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself

Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller

Judith Herman, M.D., author of Trauma and Recovery

A seminal book that outlines the author's pioneering work

Vogue

Draws on 30 years of experience to argue powerfully that trauma is one of the West's most urgent public health issues... Packed with science and human stories ... van der Kolk has a lot to say, and the struggle and resilience of his patients is very moving

New Scientist

A gripping bestseller about where trauma goes, and its disastrous effects on both individuals and societies. Deeply interesting.

Times

A masterpiece of powerful understanding and brave heartedness, one of the most intelligent and helpful works on trauma I have ever read. . . a brilliant synthesis of clinical cases, neuroscience, powerful tools and caring humanity, offering a whole new level of healing

Jack Kornfied, author of A Path With Heart

Incredible

Evening Standard

Everyone should read this book

User Reviews

Book 4.5

Narration 4.8

5.0

This made me realise I was in an abusive relationship with a narcissist. It might have saved my life.

JibblyB 31/07/2025

5.0

anthea 26/04/2025

5.0

HeatherStanley 25/12/2023

3.0

4.0

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