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What Happened to You?  By  cover art

What Happened to You?

By: Oprah Winfrey,Bruce D. Perry
Narrated by: Bruce D. Perry,Oprah Winfrey
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Publisher's summary

"[Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry] are both capable, likable narrators who are sincerely engaged with their subject matter...The performances of these two humanitarians make this a must-hear for anyone recovering from their traumatic past." (AudioFile Magazine)

This program is read by the authors.

Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and What Happened to You? provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand.

“Through this lens we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives." (Oprah Winfrey)

This audiobook is going to change the way you see your life.

Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question.

Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

Here, Winfrey shares stories from her own past, understanding through experience the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma and adversity at a young age. In conversation throughout the audiobook, she and Dr. Perry focus on understanding people, behavior, and ourselves. It’s a subtle but profound shift in our approach to trauma, and it’s one that allows us to understand our pasts in order to clear a path to our future - opening the door to resilience and healing in a proven, powerful way.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

©2021 Bruce Perry, Oprah Winfrey (P)2021 Harpo, Inc.

Featured Article: The Audible Essentials—The Top 100 Well-Being Listens of All Time


We assembled our editors, scoured listener reviews, polled our most-trusted colleagues, and listened our ears off to bring you this list of 100 must-listen well-being titles on Audible. Whether you’re looking to get organized, stay motivated, find creative inspiration, or relieve stress, these audiobooks and podcasts are packed with insights from self-development and wellness experts to help you take the next step—or the first—in your personal journey.

What listeners say about What Happened to You?

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I waited more than 30 years for this book.

What is fascinating about this collaboration with Dr. Perry and Ms. Oprah Winfrey is the clarity it brings to so many personal questions. The title speaks volumes about the authors’ intentions and the book’s purpose. When we walk through fires of trauma, neglect, abandonment , and discontent, we are more empathetic. We judge less and love more. We work diligently to protect those we love.

The format was a combination of science, art, and reality. Personally, I find the book quite stimulating. I will listen to it again on audible and review the file with the description of the brain.

Dr. Perry’s explanations about the brain’s response to trauma is extremely insightful. Oprah’s questions and explanations will help readers truly understand what happened to them.

Having followed Oprah’s career since 1987, I am so happy she reconciled her relationship with her mother. It’s amazing how connected we all are by our life experiences. Keep Rising Stronger!

Dr. Pauline E. Wallner, author of the Rising Stronger Series

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189 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This will be part of my Healing

I thank you both Oprah and Dr. Bruce for making me cry today kidding aside, I’m going through a lot right now and really there’s tons of things going on inside of me that I couldn’t comprehend and with all the stories and studies shared in this book is truly awakening for me. This is exactly what my mind body and heart to learn about and to really asking now the right question of What happened to me? What happened to him? This is a whole new perspective to me since I agree what we are so used to are curing the symptoms but were forgetting the other side of spectrum Of what really happened to you? To me? I love the conversational style of the book like im watching the Oprah show. Hoping there would be more of this kind of books. Again I’m thankful I got a hold of this book. Thank you so much Oprah Thank you so much Dr. Bruce more blessings in helping more people with your expertise and influence 😊

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137 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Research findings, not much in terms of healing.

While I appreciate the excitement over the scientific world's interest in trauma related brain development or lack thereof, I expected a blend of recovery stories or tactics in addition to the study findings. A brief summary would sound like: "Once we realized there was childhood trauma...we changed our approach to the child and everything was better..." This book is a scientist's perspective of the value of understanding trauma and brain function...I was hoping for something more personal.
The narration was very good. Oprah's contribution humanizes the information and her warm voice radiates with experience.
I listened to the entire book with ease and interest, yet feel like chapters are missing. I came away thinking, "well, yeah...but now what?"

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93 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing!!!

Brilliant, rewarding, and soothing!! Great book to help folks who have difficulty interrupting patterns! I highly recommend this book to most everyone who longs for a deeper understanding of “self.”

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84 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Life Changing

This book is a little more technical than I expected but I must say, it caught my attention quickly and I couldn’t put it down. At times Oprah speaks slowly and I needed to speed it up to 1.5 but the information is mind blowing. I understand so much about my own life now. It is well put together and easy to understand as the pages unfold. Read this! Even if it isn’t your life it will help you understand others around you.

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66 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow, what a great book!!

Loved this book! Reviews sparked my interest, so decided to get the book. I am glad I did.
Never thought that I would need the information written here, however I was totally wrong.
Thank you for giving me a path to heal and reminding me how important other peoples stories are. Will return to this book, cause I'm sure there will be many, many more pearls to find.

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64 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A book for everyone

Thank you for this book. It has helped me to understand what happened to me. It has also helped me forgive my past and the ones I love.

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54 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Life Changing

This is a beautiful book. I’m so glad I happened upon it. I had an idea of what I needed to hear but wasn’t certain I’d hear it. This book, this conversation, this intimate retelling of the truth of trauma and how it affects you in ways you seldom realize was an awakening and could be a real catalyst for change. I encourage everyone to give it an opportunity to speak to you and open yourself to the possibilities of healing, of acknowledging your own hurt and endeavoring to be kind to yourself and others while recapturing your power and reconciling your spirit with the knowledge of What Happened to You!

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51 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing Book

This is truly a must read for everyone on the planet. This book can put us all on a journey to healing. Healing is something we all need, even if you don’t know that you need it. We are living traumatized lives in a trauma filled world. This book brings understanding and the hope of healing. I found it enlightening.

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49 people found this helpful

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Loved

Better than expected.
It’s so good. A for real must read book.
This one will be a repeat just to make sure I take it all in.

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26 people found this helpful