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The Body
- A Guide for Occupants
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
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The Body
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Summary
'We spend our whole lives in one body and yet most of us have practically no idea how it works and what goes on inside it. The idea of the book is simply to try to understand the extraordinary contraption that is us.’
In the best-selling, prize-winning A Short History of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson achieved the seemingly impossible by making the science of our world both understandable and entertaining to millions of people around the globe.
Now he turns his attention inwards to explore the human body, how it functions and its remarkable ability to heal itself. Full of extraordinary facts and astonishing stories, The Body: A Guide for Occupants is a brilliant, often very funny attempt to understand the miracle of our physical and neurological makeup.
Listen to clips from the audiobook
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- Featuring original bonus material, exclusive to Audible
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- Featuring original bonus material, exclusive to Audible
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- Featuring original bonus material, exclusive to Audible
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Behind the scenes
Watch our exclusive interview with the best-selling author as he reveals the inspiration behind The Body.Editor reviews
“Between the mysterious, the unexpected, the unknown and the undiscovered The Body: A Guide for Occupants takes us through all the weird and wonderful parts of the human body with humour, historical anecdotes and some truly jaw-dropping facts. Somehow, with all that jam packed in, listening to it still feels like an entertaining coffee with an old friend. I have loved many of Bill Bryson’s books but I think this one may have just jostled its way to the top of my list of favourites. Definitely take a listen if you’ve ever wondered why or how your body does what it does, or, if not, take a listen for the multitude of amazing facts you can pull out at your next awkward dinner party.” (Alex, Audible Editor)
“In this illuminating history of the human form, Bill Bryson presents scientific research in an accessible way, introducing a host of individuals including the world’s first kidney transplant recipient and the Nobel Prize-winning Peter Medawar. Covering everything from sleep to immunity, I came away from listening to the audiobook with a newfound appreciation and respect for my body. A perfect listen for new and existing Bill Bryson fans alike.” (Jess, Audible Editor)
The life and times of Bill Bryson
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951, Bill Bryson now resides in the UK. His best-selling, wry-humoured books cover travel, the English language, history and popular science.
In 1972, longing to experience the wider world, Bryson left his home state and toured Europe, delighting in its strangeness. Returning the following year, he took a job at a psychiatric hospital before embarking on a career in journalism. His first published book, The Lost Continent (1989), recounts a tour of America, though he’s claimed this wasn’t a travel book. “It was more sociological” he says. “I was looking at this country that I’d grown up in and seeing how it had changed – and how I had changed.”
What listeners say about The Body
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-03-21
Amazing. Loved it.
Amazing narration and read so you completely understand everything he's saying. A fantastic listen.
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- Pauline D
- 20-12-19
The audio equivalent of one you can't put down!
I'd read a couple of dismissive reviews of this, mostly relating to Bill's self-narration. He reads with a certain underrated style, that is true, but that just adds the this book's addictive qualities in my view. The content is interesting, and includes social and historical commentaries as well as the actual physiology, all of which is explained easily. A joy to listen to, and one I looked forward to going to bed early for as I quickly realised this wasn't want that was going to lull me to a swift slumber. I am sad that I've finished it now but will no doubt return to it again.
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- Eric D Warner
- 01-07-21
Bill Bryson does it again!
Wonderful book, enchantingly narrated by the author..Full of information, insight, wisdom, humour and many recondite facts. Youre left wishing it was longer! Full marks, Bill!
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- Anonymous User
- 19-03-20
A Wonderful Insight and Beautifully Explained
Bill has a wonderful way of explaining how our bodies work, move and function that is insightful, even to the listener that might not know a lot about anatomy. I learned so much from this audible book. I highly recommend it.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Fiona S
- 22-01-21
I Like Bill's Voice!
I find it very soothing & easy to listen to. He manages to make the subject matter very interesting, I only wish I could remember all the information, although I'm sure some of it will stick. I also liked the extra bit at the end about sound-thought provoking.
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- Paul chadwick
- 14-03-21
explore your inner workings
extremely enlightening book, a total breakdown of how your anatomy works , also preventive remedies
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- Joe
- 25-10-19
very informative and interesting
the body .. bill bryson
this is a return to form from bill .. very enjoyable and informative ..learned a lot and unlearn many things i thought were fact were in fact wrong . highly recommended if your in any way interested in medicine and science
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- Andrew Thornton
- 24-10-19
Interesting read.
Bryson takes an interesting subject and adds wit and warmth. Makes an interesting subject very accessible.
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- Zoe Kemp
- 14-11-19
Fascinating
An addictive read, both fascinating and disturbing in equal measure in terms of the barbaric historical medical practises and our understanding of the body today.
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-02-21
Great book, so much interesting information.
I listened to the audio book twice & enjoyed it all on both occasions. Very interesting & easy to understand.
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