Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I am fortunate to live in the same county where Dr. Amatuzio was the chief medical examiner and didn't realize how lucky I was because fortunately, I never needed to know. Dr. Amatuzio retired recently and I am currently privileged to work with her predecessor during the most awful time of my life, the unexpected death of my 2 year old daughter. There is a reason why Dr. Amatuzio is known as the "compassionate coroner" and her predecessor is the same- kind, compassionate, highly educated and very professional.

Both of her books have brought me comfort and helped me to heal during my difficult time. Although I believe in communication after death, sometimes people are skeptical of stories that are written from a psychic medium's perspective. That is what I love about Janis' books- she isn't a psychic. She is a highly acclaimed forensic pathologist who risked the ridicule of her respected colleagues and peers to share the stories that cannot be explained by medicine because these stories needed to be told. These stories will give you hope, comfort and encouragement even if you don't need it right now but someday you most likely will.

I read the first book and had to buy the second. It was similar to the first one, fine by me. It's a quick and easy read with such interesting stories.

I read this book from cover to cover in a couple of days. Quite fascinating and informative. But then she is already preaching to the choir when it comes to me having had a near death experience. A very encouraging and uplifting book!

This was an enjoyable romp that recaptures and recounts certain synchronicities that happened to people that floated into and out of the life of a forensic pathologist; and how those synchronicities affected her. I feel confident in saying that these synchronicities or "God Winks" as I prefer to call them, are manifest in everyone's life - and they are there purposely - should one simply take the time to notice. In a word this fine work is about "awareness."

While I wouldn't invoke the phrase "earth shattering" to describe this book, it is well written, enjoyable but somewhat evanescent - I finished it in about 3 hours, albeit a pleasant 3 hours. 3 is also the number of stars on the board I offer for this work. Nicely done.

This is an excellent book. The author writes clearly and engagingly. It's easy to read and hard to put down. Some reviewers have complained that much of the book describes the author's path to becoming a forensic pathologist. I think this is a strength. It's an interesting glimpse into a world that most of us never see. If you enjoyed Forever Ours, as I did, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. Happy reading...

Beyond Knowing is a touching account of a doctor's experience with death and those left behind. After death communication is not new, but hearing about it from a respected MD moves it out of the parlor and into the mainstream. Now that takes some courage on her part. Well worth the read... I wish it were a longer book.

Janis Amatuzio M.D. is a specialist in forensic medicine and works as a Chief Medical Examiner. Her book, Beyond Knowing is, as several reviewers have noted, autobiographical in nature; but it relates a number of apparently paranormal phenomena that Dr. Amatuzio became aware of through her work. There are examples of near-death experiences (NDE) as well as apparent interactions with persons who had died. As strange as such events sound, they gain considerably in credibility when seen through the eyes of someone such as Dr. Amatuzio. The stories are realted with attention to detail an sensitivity, making the book quite fascinating to read.

It is a fair criticism IMHO that the book is a little heavier on autobiographical material than strictly necessary, but the quality of the stories is sufficient to keep the book interesting. Anyone fascinated by the NDE would find Dr. Amatuzio's perspective different and exciting. Whatever one thinks of spirituality, there is clearly evidence here from a professional that something of that nature happens not infrequently, affecting the lives of all involved profoundly. I'll conclude with Dr. Amatuzio's words: "I have a deep feeling that the whole truth about the immortal mystery of Life is that everything truly is all right. And, of course, that changes everything."