Customer Reviews

Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
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Before the mother of a friend of mine died, she told her daughter she was about to take a trip. Knowing this, attracted me to David Kessler's book. He, himself, is very interesting but the stories of the experiences of health care workers of all kinds was more than interesting too.

It is a very quick read. Each experience is short, descriptive and to the point. Most of the people were happy to write of their experiences with the dying because they could maintain anonymity. However, their lives and beliefs were challenged and often changed because of these experiences.

The book is definitely worth reading and giving extra thought to. In many ways it's very comforting.

FINALLY someone has captured what so many of us believe to be true and even more of us have witnessed as our loved ones pass away. And regardless of whether or not you believe in the idea that there is a universal, common and beautiful experience as we pass on, there is an undeniable take away from Kessler's work... enightenment and hope. That's one reason I love this book. (My husband, the biggest skeptic of all, was blown away by this work. And it has opened up a wonderful dialogue between us--another reason I love this book!) Kessler's authentic, compelling and beautifully written stories allow us a peek into what is an inevitable time in all of our lives, the end of it. And if you don't already believe, you may very well be convinced. WOW!

Iloved this book.I have read many on this subject. This one gives hope and comfort to those who may be taking care of friends or loved ones who are preparing to leave this mortal sphere .I have always felt that to learn of death and dying is to learn how better to live.

I didn't know that there were Federal Rules of Evidence that say that a death bed confession is to be taken as the truth. David's Kessler's book Visions, Trips and Crowed Rooms is so comforting for anyone who's ever lost a loved one which probably means all of us. He fills the book with the visions of the dying from his work as a nurse and and co-authored two books with the pioneer of books on death and grief, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who knows suffering from the death of a loved one. I found it amazing that the dying don't find it a frightening experience, but a comforting one instead. They reach up to the ceiling towards someone we can't see with smiles on their faces.

I too had the experience of seeing someone die, though I wasn't actually at the bedside when my husband's grandmother passed over. I was in the funeral home getting ready to sing Amazing Grace, and while in prayer (I was praying hard not to mess up the song) I saw a vision of my husband's grandmother laying down to take a nap because she was so tired. When she woke up she was amazed at how well she felt. She looked up and saw someone I couldn't see, and to me she looked young and had dark hair(something I'd never seen her with) and she was sitting up within her old body. Then she looked back and saw her old body and smiled and looked back up at whoever and that's when it ended.

Needless to say I thought I was just seeing things, until I started reading about other deathbed visions and all of them are reaching upwards to someone or something. Knowing this validated my vision of which I've never forgotten down to the last detail.

It's so wonderful that people like Kessler dedicate their lives to this subject. He probably has no idea how many people he's helped.

When I Dream

I've read a TON of books on the afterlife and near-death experiences as well as books on the pre-death experiences. This book, while not my absolute favorite, definitely held my attention. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. The fact that I got through the entire book without rolling my eyes or feeling dejavu because it was just like every other book I've read on the subject says a lot!

I was disappointed in this book, though it is comforting, since I have been recently bereaved. I had hoped that the accounts would give more details about what the dying persons said they heard or saw. Instead, each account sounded like it was written by the same person, (the author.) Each account proceeds in exactly the same way: the narrator's credentials are given, the setting is recounted, then the incident is related. This doesn't mean that the author invented the accounts, but that is the feeling that comes across to the reader. The book would have sounded more authentic if the author would have let the contributors write their own accounts, with minimal editing. The author does say that the experiences of many dying people are strikingly similar; this book underscores his assertion.

David Kessler is a respected grief counselor and author. His life's work treads gently but powerfully on a correspondingly taboo and eternal topic: death and the grieving process. In his latest work, Mr. Kessler describes what people feel and see as death approaches:

"It's fear that I see in the eyes of my patients and their family members: the fear of saying good-bye, the fear that this life is all there is, and the fear that they'll never see each other again. At times, however, something extraordinary happens. This book is about those extraordinary times."

Organized Format

There is an introduction, eight concise chapters and an epilogue. Each chapter begins with a quote by a famous person to pique the reader's interest. The author writes in an engaging, direct, friendly and informative style. Despite his vast expertise in this field, he connects with the reader by using easy-to-understand terms and analogies. One enlightening feature was the number of discussions the author had with medical professionals. Many were reluctant to share their experiences with death and dying; however, their observations provided the reader with an intriguing perspective.

Powerful Personal Stories

One recurring theme in this book is the generous amount of personal examples. The author shared his own grieving process as a child when his mother passed, and then as an adult with his father. There were many more anecdotes from professional caregivers, hospice workers, clergy, doctors, nurses and family members provided in poignant detail. These recollections provide a sense of comfort to the reader and also reinforce the notion that we do not die alone. My favorite stories were "A Mother's Visit" by Clara and "A Visit from Above" by Theodore. Full names in these stories were not used to protect their collective identities.

Memorable Quotes

"Death is part of the achievement of life." Mother Theresa

"Have you ever been in the room when a patient died? No." David Kessler interviewing an oncologist.

"It's very beautiful over there." Thomas Edison

"I'm going on a ride and my dolls can't come with me." Theresa, a six-year old child.

Valuable Resource

We Americans say that you can't escape death and taxes. Had Mr. Kessler written a guide for tax preparation, we might look forward to April 15th. This book will be a trusted companion during times of intense need and a soothing reference in less turbulent times.

Please Note:

I received a complementary review copy of this book. This is an objective review and I am not obliged to provide a positive one.

I found this book to be very helpful and enlightening. I now have a completely new perspective on death. I'm not afraid anymore. I would recommend this book to anyone who is going through the hard time of seeing a loved one slowly go away.

Excellent book! Great examples of who and what we see at lifes end. I think all critical care workers should be trained in this area. Would make for a less stress death for family members of the dying and also the person who is dying. Easy reading and very interesting. Gives hope and peace of mind.

When someone loses a loved one, this book helps to remind us that our loved ones depart from us in the physical form and yet are still with us; and realizing their "move" to the hereafter takes place with loved ones who have passed. They/we are always loved. At least that is my take and what I choose to believe. Losing someone is so sad and missing them is the worst. This book helped me.