Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side [Paperback]

James Van Praagh (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 16, 2009

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ghosts, but Were Too Afraid to Ask

From a very young age James Van Praagh was aware of a dimension that most of us cannot see, and he has dedicated his life to explaining it to the rest of us. The New York Times bestseller Ghosts Among Us takes us on an incredible journey into the spirit world that brings to light one of our greatest mysteries—what happens to us after we die?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Thought provoking and provocative... Exactly what a book is supposed to do... James leads you on a journey that will make you question what you think you know about heaven and the afterlife.” (John Edward, Host of Crossing Over)

“I love this book! His stories and experiences told through his thought provoking and inspiring words, makes a world which seems hard to understand tangible. Thank you James for showing me a whole new world.” (Jennifer Love Hewitt)

About the Author

JAMES VAN PRAAGH is the New York Times bestselling author of Unfinished Business, Ghosts Among Us, and Talking to Heaven. He lectures and conducts seminars around the globe. Visit the author online at www.vanpraagh.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; Reprint edition (June 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061553387
• ISBN-13: 978-0061553387
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Astrology

More About the Author

James Van Praagh is the New York Times bestselling author of Unfinished Business, Ghosts Among Us, Talking to Heaven, Reaching to Heaven, Meditations, and Healing Grief, among others. He is considered a pioneer in the mediumship movement throughout the world and has been the voice of the Spirit World for over twenty-five years. He has read people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some of his more known clients include various political heads of state, throughout the world, religious leaders and celebrities such as Cher, Shirley Maclaine, Goldie Hawn, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Loretta Lynn and many many more. He has brought through many well known personalities such as Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Slim Pickins, Andrew Carnagie, Roy Orbison, Lucille Ball, Liberace, Johnny Carson, Princess Diana, Edgar Cayce, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin among others. His messages have brought solace, peace, and spiritual insights to millions, changing their view of both life and death. James has also been a celebrated producer for CBS television network, creating several successful projects including: Living with the Dead, a mini-series based on his life, and a television movie, The Dead Will Tell. While in production, an unknown actress named Eva Longoria asked James if the pilot she just finished would be picked up for ABC. He looked at her and told her it would change her life forever. Desperate Housewives has done just that! Interestingly, it was when shooting one of CBS's most successful shows, Ghost Whisperer, which he developed and produced, which brought him and Eva back together again. His CBS show Ghost Whisperer, used to shoot in the studio next door to Desperate Housewives. While shooting Ghost Whisperer, he did readings for many of the network executives as well as the other show producers and completely shocked even the most hardened cynic among them. He has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including, Oprah, Larry King Live, 48 Hours, Unsolved Mysteries, Biography, The View, Coast to Coast, The Howard Stern Show and many more. His books have enjoyed international appeal, having been published in over 50 countries and translated in over 60 languages. He has a state of the art website, which was the very first website in history to discuss grief and loss on the internet over fifteen years ago and it still is active with users from around the world. Anyone and everyone are welcome to share their insights of life, death and the beyond. www.vanpraagh.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 150 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars June 11, 2008

By Kelley Hunt

Format:Hardcover

I have never seen JVP's tv shows but the title of this book attracted me so I decided to read it. It is written in very basic language, and illustrated with many stories from JVP's experiences. It should be easy for anyone to understand. In the book he discusses how the spirits of people who have died will sometimes hang around the Earth instead of moving into the "Light". He gives reasons they sometimes have for staying around; unfinished business, not realizing or accepting that they are dead, fear of crossing over into 'Hell', being too firmly invested in the material world, etc. JVP also discusses the many dimensions of the universe which exist and how the spirits of people who do too much evil on Earth become trapped in lower dimensions (what we think of as "Hell"). The topic of reincarnation is briefly touched on as JVP tells us that spirits tend to reincarnate in "family" groups and therefore we are around the same spirits in human form, century after century during our lives on Earth. Beyond ghosts, JVP also discusses the power of human and spirit thought, and how thoughts help create our world and our reality. Meditation is discussed briefly. There is little discussion of the entity that we call "God" and I wish JVP had shared more of his thoughts or impressions on that subject. At the end JVP shares some techniques regarding getting in touch with the spirit world, and protecting oneself from the influences of negative energy from other humans and spirits. Although I don't believe any one person has all the answers about the workings of the universe, I thought this book for the most part was an interesting, informative read. I think if there is anyone out there struggling with belief that they should read this book and also some books on meditation.... There is nothing in my experience like practicing meditation to make one realize that there really is something out there besides the short life we experience on this planet. Read more ›

104 of 110 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent May 25, 2008

By Kay Hart

Format:Hardcover

As soon as I knew about this book I bought it. I just knew it would be a fabulous read and I was not disappointed. I read it in one sitting. Just couldn't put it down. Thought about sending it to my Mom, but decided to keep it so I can read it again and again. I'll order my mother another one. I'm sure it will bring her comfort like it does me. It's very inspirational to live your life to the fullest and best that you can.

I had a reading by James shortly after my father's death and in that reading he told me that my father was telling me where my mother had been and that he had been with her. I called my mother and told her and she was unable to speak. She had just been to their favorite place in Sedona, AZ with all the fountains and to know dad was there with her brought her to tears she was so happy. James also told me things NO ONE on earth including me could possibly have known. I am still in contact with my father and others who have passed thanks to James validating what I thought was true. Love you James. Keep up your fantabulous work!!

Kay

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, informative read May 19, 2008

By LA Man

Format:Hardcover

James Van Praagh has always written interesting, informative and accessible books and this latest offering is no exception. Whether you're seeking a higher spiritual truth or simply fascinated with the subject matter, this one delivers. Everyone will experience the death of a loved one at some point in their lives (I recently lost my father), and during those times Van Praagh's words will offer comfort, hope and renewal.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spiritual Homerun ! May 19, 2008

By Marion McGarry

Format:Hardcover

Mr. Van Praagh's book is very interesting, a good read, clearly and logically written. It is a homerun ! James tells us his personal experiences with spirit, and then he teaches us how to reach spirit ourselves. In this day and age of infommercials, when everyone wants to get people to pay big bucks to learn things, I find Mr. Van Praagh to be refreshing. He walks his talk and he teaches each one of us what to do to develope ourselves, the how to, with all the details. How to reach spirit because we all have the gift. This book is an immeasurable treasure to those who read it. For each of us, if we are honest, is yearning to go beyond, and to grow out of fear and pain and to grow forward in love. This book shows the way !

47 of 56 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Over the Top January 28, 2010

By Loco Iberico

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wanted to believe. I so desperately wanted to believe and I started reading the book with great excitement, like when you're opening a gift. I've read books by George Anderson, etc. and I myself have had the experience of "talking" to my mother through a medium.

But a quarter through the book, the author's fantastic claims begin to be really over the top, like a compendium of other ghost stories. For example, the story about the Vietnam War father was ripped from "Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. Did he think that no one would notice? And if he was aware of the similarities, why even bother to include it in the book when for sure he has so many other equally poignant stories he could share? But I kept reading anyway only to be further shocked by his other totally off-the-deep-end claims:

- If you're depressed, you could be possessed
- If you're fat or gaining weight, you could be possessed
- There are phantom medical teams who come to heal us, complete with phantom doctors in phantom scrubs: ripped from the movie "Chances Are" with Cybil Shepherd and Robert Downey Jr. Actually, this one really made me think how the author thought he could get away with such fantasies
- Abraham Lincoln came to assure him personally
- Lucille Ball chatted him up at the CBS studios

What's even worse was the way the author praised himself in all his stories; that if it weren't for his intercession, the dead and the living would not have found peace or moved on. This I find really disgusting. I think the word "medium" refers to a conduit, someone who mediates, like a telephone line. Not someone who speaks of himself in messianic proportions....

I wanted to believe, I didn't even require proofs, just a minimum threshold of acceptability. Sadly, this book should have been marketed as fiction. So shame on you, JVP, for taking advantage of people's grief. Read more ›