Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist [Paperback]

M.D. Janis Amatuzio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Working as a medical examiner, Dr. Janis Amatuzio has found that by listening and talking to loved ones of the deceased, she can offer them a sense of closure. In doing so, she has heard — and here retells — extraordinary stories of spiritual and otherworldly events surrounding the transition between life and death.

As in her first book, Forever Ours, Dr. Amatuzio presents the amazing, heartfelt accounts told to her by grieving family members, patients, doctors, nurses, clergy, and police officers. Along with these stories, she shares her own story — reflecting on the course of her career, the bonds she has formed over the years, the lessons she has learned, and her conclusion that “Everything truly is all right.”

This powerful book honors the mystery of life and death, exploring the realms of visions, synchronicities, and communications on death’s threshold. Told in the voice of a compassionate scientist who sees death every day, these stories eloquently convey the patterns of truth Dr. Amatuzio has found in what she sees and hears. Beyond Knowing explores the wisdom the living might find in these accounts and shows how that wisdom changes lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beyond Knowing is a book of real-life mystery stories beautifully written by a physician trained in the hard science of forensic pathology. I recommend it to anyone who has ever wondered if science has defined life too narrowly and asked themselves `What if...?' I simply love this book." -- Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather's Blessings and clinical professor of family medicine, UCSF School of Medicine

"Here's a puzzle for you: How did a respected pathologist, who deals with autopsies, dead bodies, and mortal remains, come to believe we're all immortal, right now? To her courage in standing up for this vision -- this truth -- of who we are, I bow deeply." -- Larry Dossey, MD, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things

"If you want to open your mind, read this book and truly begin the journey of life, which does not end with death." -- Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, author of 365 Prescriptions for the Soul

"In this latest work, Dr. Amatuzio opens the mysterious interface between life and death. Carefully dissecting stories told to her by families and friends of the newly dead, this consummate investigator uncovers rich insights that heal the heart and illuminate the spirit. With kindness and candor, the compassionate coroner translates these extraordinary death narratives into lessons for the living." -- Kathleen McMonigal, MD, pathologist, Aerospace Medicine, Houston --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; First Trade Paper Edition edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577316347
• ISBN-13: 978-1577316343
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book, November 26, 2006

By 

Albert D. Johnson MD - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist (Hardcover)

This was another very beautifully written book from the author of "Forever Ours". As a medical doctor, I appreciated the humility and dedication that Dr. Amatuzio describes into the making of a physician. In addition, Dr. Amatuzio also explained all of the trials and tribulations of becoming and being a forensic pathologist. Finally, she also wove some very inspiring stories and experiences that encompass her work into this hard to put down book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good. Glad I read it., January 30, 2008

By 

Jessica Saunders (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist (Hardcover)

I just finished reading this book. It's ok. The first half is more of an autobiography and a little boring. Being a person who believes that the soul survives the body, I enjoyed most of the stories and found some comfort in them. Not sure I buy the whole deal... but for the most part I do agree with the greater theme of the book, that life is eternal, there is nothing to fear in death and that the best is yet to come.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars more like a biography of the author, May 30, 2007

By 

wanttea - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist (Hardcover)

It is normal for an author to talk a little bit about his/her own background but somehow I felt the whole book was about her. The stories were too brief and many of the things she wrote seem to just be there in order to have enough content to fill up all the pages of the book.