31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting to the Truth of the Matter, May 27, 2008
This review is from: Life After Death: Some of the Best Evidence (Paperback)
For nearly 160 years, maverick scientists and scholars have been providing very credible evidence that consciousness survives physical death and continues on in other realms of existence. The legal doctrine of Res Judicata - it has been decided - could have been invoked 100 years ago when esteemed scientists and scholars like Sir William Crookes, Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Barrett, and Dr. James H. Hyslop all issued statements in which they said they were convinced that there is a spirit world and that we live on in that spirit world after physical death. Yet, mainstream science, orthodox religion, and the media have rejected and ridiculed the evidence.
Apparently seeing the ridicule heaped on men like Crookes, Lodge, Barrett, and Hyslop, modern scientists and scholars have been reluctant to take a stand, even after closely examining evidence that strongly suggests a spirit world and, concomitantly, life after death.
Dr. Jan W. Vandersande, the author of this book, is a rare exception. He does not sit on the fence like so many others. He comes right out and tells the reader what he has observed and what he believes. He mentions observing flying trumpets, seeing ectoplasm, and hearing spirit voices through the trumpet. "Those experiences changed my life in at least two ways," Vandersande, who holds a doctorate in physics and served professorships at the University of Witwatersand, South Africa, and at Cornell University, tells the reader. "Firstly, it gave me the conviction that there is life after death. Secondly, it made it possible for me to be able to critically read much of the literature about psychic and paranormal phenomena."
Vandersande focuses on physical mediumship, something for most part avoided by many of the early researchers, primarily because it usually called for darkness and otherwise unscientific conditions. But what can be more convincing that seeing a deceased loved one appear right in front of you and speak to you in the voice you remember about things which you experienced? Vandersande discusses some of the best physical mediums and examines the evidence relative to fraud and alternative theories.
A skeptic looking at the cover, which has a materialized form embracing a sitter at a séance would likely have a good laugh at the materialized form's seemingly fake beard, but Vandersande is aware of this and explains it. Clearly, by applying our limited knowledge of what is involved in materializations, we show our ignorance and arrogance.
There are many good books on mediumship, but there are very few new ones that discuss physical mediumship, as does this one. It is a very worthwhile read for any one with an open mind and in search of truth. Read this book and Tom Harrison's "Life After Death: Living Proof" if you want some real insight to physical mediumship.
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31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
made me a believer, May 27, 2008
This review is from: Life After Death: Some of the Best Evidence (Paperback)
I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to the topic of life after death, but I read a lot on the topic because I'm looking for the evidence that will make me a believer. I started off reading this with a healthy dose of skepticism, but when the author describes his own personal experiences and analyzes them using scientific methodology (he has a PhD in Physics) some of the skepticism disappeared. He also provides supplemental evidence to support his claims. Quite honestly - the whole notion of ectoplasm creeped me out, but after reading through it it becomes life affirming. I do think he has provided some of the best evidence to support life after death, but furthermore his professional credentials and reputation are solid and that is what ultimately made me believe that he has the answer.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A much-needed account of physical mediumship, May 30, 2009
Having myself experienced sittings with several talented physical mediums, I was pleased to see the author's accounts of this extremely rare and wonderful phenomena. There are also warnings to the reader concerning the ease with which some of the phenomena could be faked. I can also vouch for the reality of ectoplasm and materialization as I have experienced it personally. This book is factual,detailed and honest. The materialization pictures were fascinating and worthy of study. There were some minor formatting problems in the Kindle edition and no doubt these will be corrected soon. Altogether an extremely good account of psychic research!
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