Transformed By the Light: The Powerful Effect of Near-Death Experiences on People's Lives [Hardcover]

Dr. Melvin L. Morse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1992

The continuation of a comforting, yet scientific, probe into the mysteries of death, which began in Closer to the Light, reveals that people who have had Near Death Experiences manifest a heightened appetite for life. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Powerful enough to fascinate even the most ardent skeptic and raise goosebumps on the arms of the believer...Profound."
TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Written by bestselling authors Dr. Melvin Morse and Paul Perry, TRANSFORMED BY THE LIGHT proves that those who return from the brink of death are profoundly changed for the better--spiritually and physically--for the rest of their lives, and that these documented changes provide deeper peace and understanding for all who come in contact with them. Inspirational and deeply compassionate, this book will change the way you think about the mysteries of life and death. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (August 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679404430
• ISBN-13: 978-0679404439
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Transformative Effects of the NDE, December 27, 2003

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Transformed By the Light: The Powerful Effect of Near-Death Experiences on People's Lives (Hardcover)

I've read many books on Near Death experiences over the years. In fact, I have over twenty of them on the bookcase beside me as I write this. Yet, I keep coming back to this one volume (I believe that this is the third time that I've reread it.) The reason for this is that it is the most "scientific" of the studies available to the general reading public. One would expect this of a book written by a practicing medical doctor. It is scientific, yet it is objective- this is no deconstructionist hatchet job. It is a true research study conducted with impressive thoroughness. The results are presented in the text in non-technical, non-statistical language, though the full paper with all the statistical results is included in the appendix.

First of all, this Transformations study takes the existence of NDE's as a proven fact. The author's previous research with the near death experiences of children left no doubt as to that (see his_Closer to the Light_.) This book deals with the lasting, measurable effects of the near death experience on people who experienced it in childhood (less of a chance of popular culture contamination.) A comprehensive battery of tests were applied to both NDE survivors and control groups (Ellsworth Profile of Adaptation of Life Survey, Greyson Value Survey, Greyson Near-Death Experience Validity Scale, Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Reker-Peacock life Attitude Profile, Greyson Negative Near Death Experience Survey, Neppe Subjective Paranormal Events Questionnaire, Neppe Temporal Lobe Sensitivity Inventory, Etc.) In addition, the participants complete medical and psychiatric histories were examined, as was a survey of their complete lifestyle and personal history. This was a very comprehensive in-depth study of a type not attempted before or since.

The results showed that the NDE survivors had significantly lower death anxiety and a higher zest for life. Verifiable psychic ability was four times higher than the general public. There were also indications that long-term conventional intelligence increased as a result- as well as creativity increase. The anecdotal sketches also demonstrate especially clearly that humanitarian and altruistic behavior was nearly always at a high level as a result of exposure to "the Light."

Why should we care about such research? Well, it tends to comfort those who hear about it, especially the sick and dieing, even though they have not had the experience themselves. It also tends to drive home our interconnectiveness as human beings and the need to treat each other with fairness, justice, and respect. It refutes the mechanistic concept that life is without purpose or reward. Oh yes, there is also the fact that it is the objective, verifiable, truth....

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pediatrician reports near-death experiences of children, August 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Tri-Cities, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transformed By The Light: The Powerful Effect Of Near-death Experiences On People's Lives (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book. A Seattle pediatrician reports on the near-death experiences of children he has treated. As one child explained, she didn't know who the person in the light was; she thought it was Santa Claus. Dr. Morris writes from a non-religious standpoint by including explanations by Stephen Hawking. The scientific explanations indirectly confirmed my faith.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid book that changed my beliefs in an afterlife, November 14, 2001

By 

MISTER SJEM "sonofhotpie" (CALIF BAY AREA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Transformed By The Light: The Powerful Effect Of Near-death Experiences On People's Lives (Mass Market Paperback)

I was raised Catholic but by my teens had some serious doubts about the afterlife. As most of my friends agreed (they wanted tangible evidence) and the opposition disagreed (they didn't need tangible evidence), it was always a standstill type of argument.

After a few people died in my life though, I felt that the issue wasn't satisfying enough. So, I started to do some research not related to the Catholic Church, as the people I knew had convictions and didn't want to discuss WHAT IF questions.

What was great about this book were several things:

(1) He mentioned he did an NDE on children and retold over a hundred stories; I found it less likely children would be able to make stories up on the spot;

(2) No one has stepped forward to debunk the author so he must have at least got his evidence together correctly; and

(3) The NDEs were, again, over a hundred people, retelling their personal tales. They were from all over the USA with different backgrounds . .. and they had similiar experiences of seeing a light and feeling comforted and getting in touch with loved ones who had passed on.

So, this book has been the first step in helping me believe there is something after death, and I feel a lot better for it. For those who want something more heavy duty, you can also check out John Edward's CROSSING OVER, which airs every weekday in the mid afternoon. No one has really debunked that guy either so there has to be more to life than just death and oblivion.