The Body Keeps the Score

by Bessel van der Kol
The Body Keeps the Score cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical:
  • ID: 977
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-09-23
  • Reviews: 2
Reviews
Reddit - Recommended Books · 2023-01-01
mixed 3.50

The book has received negative reviews due to its graphic nature and the author's character flaws. Despite this, it offers valuable insights.

The Reddit reviewer notes that 'The Body Keeps the Score' has garnered mixed reviews, with some criticism directed towards its graphic content and the author's personal conduct. However, they acknowledge that the book provides valuable insights into trauma and its effects. The reviewer appreciates the depth of information and the author's extensive experience, which contribute to the book's overall value despite its controversies.

Quick quotes

    Apart from character flaws and sexual misconduct on part of the author, there are plenty of negative reviews because of the graphical nature.

    The book focuses more upon recovery than it does on dwelling in the past.

    Van Der Kolk's substantial first-hand experience of such a wide array of cases.

The Guardian · 2021-09-20
insightful 4.50

The book is engagingly written and not a textbook, offering a complex account of trauma. It provides a searching exploration of the subject.

The Guardian's review highlights that 'The Body Keeps the Score' is written in an accessible manner, making it engaging for a broad audience. They appreciate that it delves deeply into the complexities of trauma, offering a thorough exploration without the dryness of a textbook. The reviewer notes that the book's strength lies in its ability to connect with readers on a personal level, making the subject matter both relatable and profound.

Quick quotes

    The Body Keeps the Score is engagingly written and plainly not a textbook.

    It is a searching, complex account of trauma and post-traumatic stress.

    The book resonates with its cultural moment, and it has helped to mould that moment for millions of readers.

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