Customer Reviews

Recollections of Death: A Medical Investigation

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In spite of the somewhat morbid and scary title, this is an incridible page turner that gives the reader a possible glimpse into what may lay ahead for all of us. It is well written and could serve as a book to calm one's fears about death and the unknown. As the book states, it is not proof of an afterlife, but one certainly wonders how so many unrelated people near death can have basically the same visions. It is a cronicle that the reader is not soon to forget, if ever.

I read Dr. Michael Sabom's book some years ago, and hope to reread it soon.

NOTE: Dr. Sabom is a cardiologist, who puts his faith strictly in the scientific method. He has no use for any non-scientific explanations for near-death experiences or any other paranormal phenomena. In the first part of his book he stated: "Unscientific -- that I will never be." He gave a brief account of an adult education session by the Methodist Church where he was in attendance, at which Dr. Raymond Moody (author of "Life After Life" and "Reflections on Life After Life") gave a presentation. Afterwards, Dr. Sabom stated that the kindest thing he could say about Dr. Moody's presentation was: "I don't believe a word of it." But he was talked into doing a study using patients who had sustained NDEs resulting from serious medical emergencies. I understand that he was at first reluctant to undertake this project because he believed nothing would come of it.

Dr. Sabom is the ideal type of researcher of near-death experiences: a confirmed skeptic and believer in the scientific method, who DID NOT BELIEVE, at least initially, the reality of what he was investigating. **This is crucial**. It means that he is unlikely to give credence to anything other than solid scientific evidence. It also means that he is unlikely to go one iota beyond what that evidence shows.

His book does exactly that -- demonstrates in easy-to-understand language what his research has come up with. No metaphysical speculation. "just the facts."

Also a compelling page-turner. I don't see how any of the physicalist-atheists can debunk it.