The Body Keeps the Score is a comprehensive guide to trauma, written by Bessel Van Der Kolk, a psychiatrist with over thirty years of experience. The book is well-structured, making it accessible to both trauma survivors and clinicians, and it normalizes the experience of trauma, helping readers understand and recover from it.
The Body Keeps the Score is a book that delves into the physiology and science of trauma, offering insights into people's experiences and potential recovery paths. Written by Bessel Van Der Kolk, a Dutch-born psychiatrist with extensive experience, the book is grounded in real-life research and provides a comprehensive picture of different types of trauma and their effects on the mind, brain, and body. The book's structure takes readers on a journey through trauma, from experiencing it to recovering from it, making it accessible to both trauma survivors and clinicians. The case studies and well-indexed sections make it a valuable resource that can be read in parts or as a whole. The book's format, while practical for on-the-go reading, could be improved with a larger print and color text for better accessibility. Overall, the book is highly recommended for its insightful and practical approach to understanding and healing from trauma.
Quick quotes
Van der Kolk draws on thirty 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
Breath-taking in its scope and breadth, a seminal work by one of the preeminent pioneers in trauma research and treatment
Dr. can der Kolk’s masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller