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The Body: A Guide for Occupants Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Bill Bryson (Author, Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
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'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.

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  1. Listening Length
    14 hours and 47 minutes
  2. Author
    Bill Bryson
  3. Narrator
    Bill Bryson
  4. Audible release date
    3 Oct. 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B07MVLM1BH
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 47 minutes
Author Bill Bryson
Narrator Bill Bryson
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.co.uk Release Date 03 October 2019
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07MVLM1BH
Best Sellers Rank 595 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
3 in Biology (Audible Books & Originals)
46 in Popular Science

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
19,742 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book an excellent read with an amusing, warm conversational tone. They also describe the writing style as well-written and engaging. Readers say the book is full of information and facts about the human body in an easy to read way.

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Reading experienceContentToneWriting styleStory
219 customers mention ‘Reading experience’219 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an excellent, compelling read that's a commendable addition to the library.

"...storytelling, and scientific insights, this book is a commendable addition to the library of anyone intrigued by the wonders of human anatomy...." Read more

"...The only slightly jarring note in the entertaining, fascinating and important book is the repeated use of "we don't know about X, Y and Z." I got..." Read more

"...Fascinating read where I learnt a lot." Read more

"Wow, this book is absolutely incredible!! So much in there and I’m so glad I read it...." Read more

214 customers mention ‘Content’214 positive0 negative

Customers find the book full of information and facts about the human body in an easy to read way. They also say the research is immaculate, and the author has the amazing ability to take diverse subjects. Customers also mention that the historical information is fascinating.

"...With its blend of humor, storytelling, and scientific insights, this book is a commendable addition to the library of anyone intrigued by the..." Read more

"...The only slightly jarring note in the entertaining, fascinating and important book is the repeated use of "we don't know about X, Y and Z." I got..." Read more

"...Fully backed up with research and a plenitude of references to doctors and professors of the past and present...." Read more

"Informative, comprehensive, well researched and very entertaining.The most enjoyable way to explore anatomy...." Read more

101 customers mention ‘Tone’92 positive9 negative

Customers find the tone of the book amusing, hilarious, and engaging. They also appreciate the warm conversational style that makes it easy to read.

"...With its blend of humor, storytelling, and scientific insights, this book is a commendable addition to the library of anyone intrigued by the..." Read more

"...The only slightly jarring note in the entertaining, fascinating and important book is the repeated use of "we don't know about X, Y and Z." I got..." Read more

"...this volume - and, to be fair, all of Bryson's work - they entertain as well and inform. What more could you ask for?" Read more

"...Often laugh out loud funny, sometimes shocking and at times extremely rambling. I enjoyed it" Read more

95 customers mention ‘Writing style’88 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written, engaging, and gripping. They also appreciate the meticulous research and explanations of difficult words. Readers also mention the book is informative, full of interesting stories, and has a blend of humor, storytelling, and scientific insights.

"...With its blend of humor, storytelling, and scientific insights, this book is a commendable addition to the library of anyone intrigued by the..." Read more

"...took longer to read than I expected as it’s heavy going, though brilliantly written...." Read more

"...Your body is truly a miracle and Bill Bryson writes so well and is so engaging.George Watson on Saturday the 27/7/24." Read more

"...No matter how complex the subject under discussion it is always written in an accessible way: everything you knew, thought you knew & things you..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Story’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the story easy to follow and understand, with good sized chapters. They also say the book is easy to pick up and put down without losing.

"...Fascinating, well written and easy enough to understand for a lay person...." Read more

"...I found the book easy to follow and understand...." Read more

"...It’s informative in an easy to understand way...." Read more

"...learn something and be entertained too if you read this excellent guide for the layperson." Read more

Superb Bryson as usual
5 out of 5 stars
Superb Bryson as usual
I’ve not really ever had much interest in science, especially biology, but, since I love Bryson’s writing style, I bought the book. All I can say is, buy it! I’ve been relating facts to friends and family for a month, and started to feel quite superior that a lay person like me now knows more than the average person in my circle about the body. Explained well with excellent illustrations and an extended reference section at the back, it’s another winner for me. Possibly one of his best.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

G. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars You have a body, read this book, you will be amazed !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2024
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An interesting and thought provoking book that will amaze you.
Your body is truly a miracle and Bill Bryson writes so well and is so engaging.
George Watson on Saturday the 27/7/24.
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Four Violets
5.0 out of 5 stars A vitally important - and prescient - work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2021
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This is one of those books I feel so strongly that everyone should read that I keep quoting from it to friends and probably boring everyone to tears about.
You really do need to read it for yourself to understand how vital it is for people to grasp how their bodies work, and how although much of what goes wrong is out of our control, a lot, on the other hand, is down to our life style choices (our fondness for sugary and processed foods and general reluctance to exercise).
I was also shocked on many occasions in the book - for example the grim cancer survival rates in Britain compared to the rest of the better off nations.
I felt quite faint reading a description of how mastectomies used to be performed and about "neglected tropical diseases".
If the author were not so well known and respected I would have several times thought the statistics he quoted couldn't possibly be accurate, but as I know that is not the case I just muttered "no" and "wow" and "surely not" as I read. I was amazed about Mitochondrial Eve, and the shocking maternal death rate in the USA and their extremely low life expectancy compared to their colossal health care spending, as well as TB rates in London (rivalling those of Brazil and Nigeria).

What an incredibly prescient book too. He mentions the dangers of zoonotic diseases and asks a leading expert what he thought the biggest risk to humans was and he replied "flu". A few months later the Covid pandemic started and Bryson was able to add an afterword shortly before the book went to print, urging world leaders to be better prepared - because of course there will be many more these viral pandemics.

The only slightly jarring note in the entertaining, fascinating and important book is the repeated use of "we don't know about X, Y and Z." I got the point early on, we know a great deal, but in the grand scheme of things we are only just beginning to discover our bodies and how they work.
9 people found this helpful
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Janie U
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read which taught me a lot about the body
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2023
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I have read many of the Bill Bryson travel books over the years and a couple of the more static ones as well. This, of course, is a sort of travel book - just travelling around the body rather than a country.
There are 445 pages, split into 23, named, chapters - each based on a section of the body or a bodily experience/function.
It was first published in 2019 with this version being printed in 2020.
Immediately, the reader is thrown into Bill Bryson's huge bank of research material where the almost irrelevant sits alongside the absolutely vital.
The book was published before the Covid pandemic so it is particularly interesting to read about subjects such as viruses and loss of smell without the inevitable references that would have appeared a couple of years on.
As ever, the author takes a logical approach to his subject as he gradually works his way around the body - educating and entertaining as he goes.
Bill Bryson is an intelligent man and proficient at being able to read scientific information then put it into terms that a general reader will find interesting (and understand!). He does this in a way that includes the reader, always respecting them and without being patronising.
It's many years since I studied Biology at school yet many of the principles I learnt are discussed in this book (and it is a discussion as BB is continually having a conversation with himself) - much of the basic facts have remained the same whilst many of the details have moved on or been disproved.
Many contributors are quoted and Bill Bryon has met up with a few of them. Where possible, he always tries to describe the person first, engaging the reader and hoping that if you like someone then you are more likely to trust them.
It's clear that many widely believed facts about the body have been proved to be wrong or, at the very least, are widely believed to be wrong by the scientific community (for example, the belief that the appendix has no purpose).
During his research it seems to be a common situation that the wrong person is credited with findings. Often an individual is made famous by publishing a breakthrough that someone else found. Whenever he finds this. BB puts the record straight (although I suspect the correct names will not stick in my head for long).
Occasionally the science gets too much but he always quickly brings it down again.
Fascinating read where I learnt a lot.
2 people found this helpful
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Tristan Rhys- Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from the best author
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2024
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"The Body: A Guide for Occupants" is a delightful exploration of the human body, showcasing Bill Bryson's talent for making complex subjects approachable and enjoyable. With its blend of humor, storytelling, and scientific insights, this book is a commendable addition to the library of anyone intrigued by the wonders of human anatomy. Highly recommended for readers seeking an enlightening and entertaining journey through the marvels within.
3 people found this helpful
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Lily-Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars You won’t believe the miracle of our bodies
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2024
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So much information about how are bodies work written in style that really engages. Fully backed up with research and a plenitude of references to doctors and professors of the past and present. Each chapter focuses on different parts of our body and you’ll be updating your friends and family with the fascinating facts that you’ve just read about! Believe me, you will!
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Predazord
5.0 out of 5 stars The incredible insight I didn’t want
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 March 2024
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Wow, this book is absolutely incredible!! So much in there and I’m so glad I read it. It took longer to read than I expected as it’s heavy going, though brilliantly written.
I now have a clear appreciation of just how mortal we are, and how little we know
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2024
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Informative, comprehensive, well researched and very entertaining.
The most enjoyable way to explore anatomy. Maintains Mr Bryson's well earned reputation.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Zkidd
5.0 out of 5 stars More people should read this
Reviewed in the United States on 13 July 2024
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Again, like anything Bill Bryson does, this book is pure genius. While the subject matter is better than some others that Bryson does, there is never a dull moment in this book. When you are finished reading it you will be scratching your head wonder why modern medicine actually knows as much as it does, and yet also knows very little. Bryson finds the best people to interview for his books and imparts their knowledge in such a way that you never tire of reading his book. I have read this twice and even gave a copy to my family doctor who said he wish he had this book while he was in med school!
Brilliant!
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Victor J. Jaramillo
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnífico libro
Reviewed in Mexico on 6 January 2024
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El libro es un compendio muy útil de información, escrito de una manera ágil y divertida. La entrega fue expedita.
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Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read
Reviewed in India on 24 July 2024
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If you are truly interested in what goes in various facets of your body without delving too much into medical jargon , this book is for you. This was a wonderful read , vivid descriptions, a bit of history , humor and profound thoughts all merged into one.
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Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite authors
Reviewed in France on 26 May 2024
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He studies for years and then writes an authoritative and fascinating tale about his subject. This time the body.
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Filippo
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo.
Reviewed in Italy on 21 May 2024
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Davvero bello, interessante e originale come tutti i libri di Bryson.
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