The Body Audiobook By Bill Bryson cover art

The Body

A Guide for Occupants

Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Body

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offers ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.71

Buy for $20.71

Get 3 months for $0.99 a month

'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.

©2019 Bill Bryson (P)2019 Audible, Ltd
Biological Sciences Biology Science

Editorial 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)

All stars
Most relevant
Another meticulously researched book for anyone who wants to know everything about their body and life. From trauma to disease, with remarkably strange history all narrated with Bryson's characteristic dry wit.

Bryson Magic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Thank you for another great and enlightening listen Bill Bryson. I really enjoy details infused with humour.

Informative as always

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Must read/listen for all. Bought the illustrated book too. Such care taken throughout. Beautiful.

The best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Loverly book with plenty of interesting stories about the body and the history of medicine. Excellent 👌

Loverly book with plenty of interesting stories

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great content from the writer that brings us insightful en entertaining content every few years.

Great to learn about everyday thibgs while being intrigued at the same time.

Insightful and educational

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews