Soul Search:: A Scientist Explores the Afterlife [Hardcover]

David Darling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 1995

Drawing on current research in anthropology, neurology, cosmology, and quantum mechanics, a scientist explores evidence that consciousness may survive death and the reality of a spirit or soul that exists independent of the physical body. 15,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Darling (Equations of Eternity), a science writer with a Ph.D. in astronomy, believes modern science is ultimately of limited usefulness because it fails to recognize that consciousness is an irreducible part of reality?"the ever-present 'mind' of the universe." In this intriguing speculative essay, he develops a sort of scientific pantheism positing that, with death, we move from the narrow consciousness of our highly selective, reality-filtering brain to the wider, timeless consciousness of the unbound universe. As for near-death experiences, Darling suggests that the phenomena frequently reported?a sense of bliss, travel through a tunnel, encountering a being of light?may merely be comforting projections of a dying brain. He touches on a host of topics?the Egyptian cult of the dead, neurological disorders, evolution, drug highs, mysticism, Einstein's space-time?as he explores how we develop a sense of self and time, and concepts of an afterlife.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

"Is there an afterlife?" is the endlessly fascinating question posed by Darling, a scientist who has published over 30 books, including the acclaimed Deep Time (LJ 5/15/89). He examines the possibility from many perspectives, beginning with a historical overview that includes a detailed and thought-provoking discussion of the mummification process used in ancient Egypt. Discussions of philosophers' views, opinions of modern experts, such as Sagan and Kubler-Ross, and biological and technological implications are also included. Intriguing accounts of near-death experiences are well presented and will cause the reader to question beliefs regarding this subject. Although technical and weighty in spots, this book addresses a topic of constant interest with a refreshing openness. Recommended for public libraries with larger psychology collections.
Priscilla Davis Dann, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., South Euclid, Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 193 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (March 14, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679418458
• ISBN-13: 978-0679418450
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,709,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content but sub-standard reading quality on tape, January 22, 2000

By 

Christopher Boarman (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Search: A Scientist Explores the Afterlife (Audio Cassette)

Next to Darling's other book 'Zen Physics', this is one of the best books I have ever 'read'. Darling is like a cross between Alan Watts and Carl Sagan. The worldview he presents beautifully unifies science and mysticism. Unfortunately, the reading quality on the audio tape is very sub-standard. The speech is slurred, consonants are dropped, and quite a few words are mispronounced, making the listening experience frustrating and detracting from the great content. I wonder why they didn't hire an actor to read this, like so many other audio tapes I have purchased? I wish I could find this work as a book rather than a tape.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent blend of science and mysticism, September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Soul Search: A Scientist Explores the Afterlife (Audio Cassette)

Darling has a wide grasp of various sciences; astronomy, biology, anthropology, and psychology among them. He blends these with an appreciation for the various mystical traditions, western and eastern. His interesting and sincere style make for stimulating reading. Not as technical as Capra's "Tao of Physics", it is in the same vein.

3.0 out of 5 stars SCIENCE CANNOT SETTLE THE QUESTION OF LIFE AFTER DEATH, September 15, 2010

By 

James L. Park "James Leonard Park" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Search:: A Scientist Explores the Afterlife (Hardcover)

David Darling
Soul Search:
A Scientist Explores the Afterlife

(New York: Villard/Random House, 1995) 193 pages

Altho this book by a science writer begins with a scientific basis,
by the end it has veered off into Eastern mysticism
as the answer to the problem of death.
Some themes discussed: beliefs in life after death,
ancient to modern---religious, philosophical, & scientific;
near-death experiences; consciousness and self-consciousness;
memory and illusion; perceptions of time and space;
accepting absorption of individual (illusory) consciousness
into the cosmic consciousness.

If you would like to read better books on life after death,
search the Internet for the following exact words:
"IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH? THE BEST BOOKS".

James Leonard Park, skeptic.