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Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon--Survival of Bodily Death
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Manufacturer: HarperOne
Author: Raymond Moody
Publisher: HarperOne
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price: $10.17
You Save: $ 4.78 ( 32% )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: HarperOne
Author: Raymond Moody
Publisher: HarperOne
Average Customer Rating:
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Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon--Survival of Bodily Death Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 133.9013
EAN: 9780062517395
ISBN: 0062517392
Label: HarperOne
Manufacturer: HarperOne
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 208
Publication Date: 2001-03-01
Publisher: HarperOne
Product Release Date: 2001-03-06
Studio: HarperOne
Dewey Decimal Number: 133.9013
EAN: 9780062517395
ISBN: 0062517392
Label: HarperOne
Manufacturer: HarperOne
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 208
Publication Date: 2001-03-01
Publisher: HarperOne
Product Release Date: 2001-03-06
Studio: HarperOne
Editorial Review of Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon--Survival of Bodily Death
In Life After Life Raymond Moody investigates more than one hundred case studies of people who experienced "clinical death" and were subsequently revived. First published in 1975, this classic exploration of life after death started a revolution in popular attitudes about the afterlife and established Dr. Moody as the world's leading authority in the field of near-death experiences. Life after Life forever changed the way we understand both death -- and life -- selling millions of copies to a world hungry for a greater understanding of this mysterious phenomenon.
The extraordinary stories presented here provide evidence that there is life after physical death, as Moody recounts the testimonies of those who have been to the "other side" and back -- all bearing striking similarities of an overwelming positive nature. These moving and inspiring accounts give us a glimpse of the peace and unconditional love that await us all.
Customer Reviews of Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon--Survival of Bodily Death
Customer Rating: 
Review Summary: The Original, if Not Totally Objective, Study of NDEs
Review: I read Raymond A. Moody, Jr.'s LIFE AFTER LIFE after a friend recently recommended it to me. The book first came out some 25 years ago, and this new edition comes with an update in the form of an Afterword by the author. I was pretty familiar with the contents of LIFE AFTER OF LIFE already, for when it was first published in 1975 the book received considerable media attention and the idea of "near-death experiences" (NDEs, a term coined by Moody) was thoroughly discussed in the press. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading through the book and refreshing my memory about the touchstones of the NDEs, such as the tunnel, being out of the body, the being of bright light, and the warm, euphoric feelings attending the experience particularly towards the end.
LIFE AFTER LIFE begins with a description of how Moody came about doing research in this area. He then gives as much of a common picture of the NDE experience as his 150 examples allow. Moody proceeds to give examples from specific cases of people he interviewed who claimed that they had had an NDE. (It might be possible that Moody might have been "leading" his subjects in the interviews, but it's clear that Moody regarded his role as an interested but neutral listener.) The author describes similar experiences described in religious and other nonfiction literature, some better known than others. (I found it curious that he did not cite works of fiction, such as Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych," which, too, reflects some of the experiences described in Moody's book.) Finally, Moody lays out the various types of explanations for NDE--that is, aside from the idea that these people actually died and really experienced an afterlife--mainly with the aim of showing how the various scientific explanations fall short. Moody is careful to claim that he is "not trying to prove that there is life after death" (p. xxvii), but it is apparent where his sympathies lie.
Moody is right to suggest that the reductionist explanations from physiological, pharmacological, and neurological standpoints really haven't yet explained why people have these kinds of experiences. On the other hand, Moody adopts the classical concept of a mind-body dualism in discussing why people with NDEs describe, albeit with difficulty, having a new body, that in the midst of the NDE they can see their physical body, and how their minds feel unusually free, unclouded and ready to learn new things. This dualism is not well supported by science (it's not just the brain that "thinks"), and contemporary theology, too, would argue against it ("The only reality is the unity of the living creature called man..."--Wolfhart Pannenburg). It also raises the basis question in consciousness studies: can there be consciousness apart from the physical brain? I don't think it's too much of a leap to suggest that most brain researchers would probably say no, though many people with religious convictions would hold on to the idea that at the least something of one's personal identity--the "I"--survives death. Hence the question of life after death remains, essentially, a religious one.
There are those who might be drawn to the stories in this book as comfort in the face of the very natural fear of death. I would point those individuals to an online article by Kevin Williams, who accepts NDEs as actual life-after-death experiences, but who also maintains a healthy skepticism. He explains why it's irrational to fear death. See: http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles007.html.
As I noted above, I found the book interesting to read, and might have appreciated it more if I didn't have such a déjà-vu feeling in reading it. Again, I think most people nowadays are familiar with the NDE concept. But this is where it all started, and it's good to have the baseline of this book as a reference to what's been discussed since.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Insightful
Review: I have read many books on near death experiences and the accounts in this book ring true. I have lost loved ones and I know there is life after death, because I have received after death communications. I would recommend this book to the bereaved and to those facing the impending death of a loved one.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Nothing Near About A Near Death Experience
Review: I read quite a few books about NDEs before I bought this one. No doubt it was very controversial when it was originally published. Dr. Moody does a very good job of compiling and comparing data from interviews with the people who had these experiences to capture the "essence" of dying and how it changed their perspective on life. This is definitely what he does best. The part to support NDEs through sources like the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg was lacking. But in his defense, it had to be put in there or the book would have been classifed under fiction.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: We Don't Die!
Review: Raymond Moody's book is a must read for anyone interested in the scientific proof that goes along with this type of investigative study. Written from the perspective of a once-sceptic, he quickly moves through the stages of doubt to belief when the details of patient after patient reveal earily similar cannot be denied details of what happens after we pass and that is - simply that we don't die!
Sally Shields, www.TheDILRules.com
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Good content
Review: Gives accounts from persons that have had a near death experience and also discusses the notion of life after death. Helpful if you have recently lost someone or just interested in the topic. I would recommend to others.
Review Summary: The Original, if Not Totally Objective, Study of NDEs
Review: I read Raymond A. Moody, Jr.'s LIFE AFTER LIFE after a friend recently recommended it to me. The book first came out some 25 years ago, and this new edition comes with an update in the form of an Afterword by the author. I was pretty familiar with the contents of LIFE AFTER OF LIFE already, for when it was first published in 1975 the book received considerable media attention and the idea of "near-death experiences" (NDEs, a term coined by Moody) was thoroughly discussed in the press. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading through the book and refreshing my memory about the touchstones of the NDEs, such as the tunnel, being out of the body, the being of bright light, and the warm, euphoric feelings attending the experience particularly towards the end.
LIFE AFTER LIFE begins with a description of how Moody came about doing research in this area. He then gives as much of a common picture of the NDE experience as his 150 examples allow. Moody proceeds to give examples from specific cases of people he interviewed who claimed that they had had an NDE. (It might be possible that Moody might have been "leading" his subjects in the interviews, but it's clear that Moody regarded his role as an interested but neutral listener.) The author describes similar experiences described in religious and other nonfiction literature, some better known than others. (I found it curious that he did not cite works of fiction, such as Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych," which, too, reflects some of the experiences described in Moody's book.) Finally, Moody lays out the various types of explanations for NDE--that is, aside from the idea that these people actually died and really experienced an afterlife--mainly with the aim of showing how the various scientific explanations fall short. Moody is careful to claim that he is "not trying to prove that there is life after death" (p. xxvii), but it is apparent where his sympathies lie.
Moody is right to suggest that the reductionist explanations from physiological, pharmacological, and neurological standpoints really haven't yet explained why people have these kinds of experiences. On the other hand, Moody adopts the classical concept of a mind-body dualism in discussing why people with NDEs describe, albeit with difficulty, having a new body, that in the midst of the NDE they can see their physical body, and how their minds feel unusually free, unclouded and ready to learn new things. This dualism is not well supported by science (it's not just the brain that "thinks"), and contemporary theology, too, would argue against it ("The only reality is the unity of the living creature called man..."--Wolfhart Pannenburg). It also raises the basis question in consciousness studies: can there be consciousness apart from the physical brain? I don't think it's too much of a leap to suggest that most brain researchers would probably say no, though many people with religious convictions would hold on to the idea that at the least something of one's personal identity--the "I"--survives death. Hence the question of life after death remains, essentially, a religious one.
There are those who might be drawn to the stories in this book as comfort in the face of the very natural fear of death. I would point those individuals to an online article by Kevin Williams, who accepts NDEs as actual life-after-death experiences, but who also maintains a healthy skepticism. He explains why it's irrational to fear death. See: http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles007.html.
As I noted above, I found the book interesting to read, and might have appreciated it more if I didn't have such a déjà-vu feeling in reading it. Again, I think most people nowadays are familiar with the NDE concept. But this is where it all started, and it's good to have the baseline of this book as a reference to what's been discussed since.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Insightful
Review: I have read many books on near death experiences and the accounts in this book ring true. I have lost loved ones and I know there is life after death, because I have received after death communications. I would recommend this book to the bereaved and to those facing the impending death of a loved one.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Nothing Near About A Near Death Experience
Review: I read quite a few books about NDEs before I bought this one. No doubt it was very controversial when it was originally published. Dr. Moody does a very good job of compiling and comparing data from interviews with the people who had these experiences to capture the "essence" of dying and how it changed their perspective on life. This is definitely what he does best. The part to support NDEs through sources like the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg was lacking. But in his defense, it had to be put in there or the book would have been classifed under fiction.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: We Don't Die!
Review: Raymond Moody's book is a must read for anyone interested in the scientific proof that goes along with this type of investigative study. Written from the perspective of a once-sceptic, he quickly moves through the stages of doubt to belief when the details of patient after patient reveal earily similar cannot be denied details of what happens after we pass and that is - simply that we don't die!
Sally Shields, www.TheDILRules.com
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Good content
Review: Gives accounts from persons that have had a near death experience and also discusses the notion of life after death. Helpful if you have recently lost someone or just interested in the topic. I would recommend to others.