Product Description An intellectual tour de force; the most comprehensive reference book for the near-death phenomenon. The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences encompasses every aspect of the near-death phenomenon: the experience, aftereffects, and implications. Atwater's simple, appealing format includes drawings and cartoons by Spirit Painter and Chuck Vadun and sidebars from experts. She investigates and reports on the power of changed lives, the reality of deceased who come back, visitors at death's edge, out-of-body travel, the expansion of normal faculties, the awesome presence of Deity and the importance of spirituality.
The Sourcebook examines near-death studies from the "Moody Miracle" early days, through the myths of "the light at the end of the tunnel" and "the religion of the resuscitated," to 2007. After 32 years of work with clinical prospective studies in several countries, the reality of the near-death experience has been verified, confirming its importance in the study of consciousness.
A Masterful Collection of Near-Death Experiences InformationOctober 11, 2008 Healing the Rift: Merging Science and Spirituality Since 1978 Ms. Atwater has passionately investigated near-death experiences (NDEs). This book is encyclopedic in the coverage of the history and complex aspects of NDEs.
Very DisappointedJune 27, 2008 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I have reviewed Atwater's books before and though she comes off sounding like her research is "scientific," it does not even come close to being so. She speaks with great conviction and believes very stongly in her perception of what a Near Death Experience is. She seems to think that because she has been involved in the collection of hundreds of cases of Near Death Experiences, this is research. Collecting a number of cases be it 50, 100, or 1,000, does not constitute research. Phyllis is sincere in what she says but she has no real understanding of what research is, scientific or otherwise. Her books come off sounding like she is reporting what those in the field of Near Death Experience have discovered. But most of the findings she includes in her books, and expecially this one, are her own and do not reflect the conclusions of most researchers in the field. What she needs to do is to state clearly that the findings in this book are her personal views and not come off sounding as if she is representing the field as a whole.
Ms. Atwater wrote an earlier book that was touted by her as being the definitive work on Near Death Experiences. That book was one of the "Idiot's Guide to..." series. What this present book is, is a retitling of that book with minor revisions. This author is not the only person to reissue a book with a new title. I do not fault her for that. But what I do fault her for is purporting to represent the views, research findings, and conclusions of the researchers in the NDE field. She has reported some very useful case studies of Near Death Experiences. However, she does not let those cases speak for themselves but puts her own personal twist on them. My observations and criticisms are for her lack of sophistication in research methodologies and statistical analysis. For conclusions to be valid, they must be based on valid methods of data collection. This book is filled with over-generalizations and questionable statements and does not add in any meaningful way to the existing body of information on the Near Death Experience.
Perhaps best viewed as two booksApril 6, 2008 8 out of 9 found this review helpful
It is a big book of near death experiences. With three near death experiences, thirty years of research, and thousands of cases P.M.N. Atwater does a good job describing near death experiences. She provides details on the good, the bad, and the ugly for those who have experienced an NDE, their families, and others. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has had an NDE (I have not), for anyone who knows someone who has (I have not), and for anyone else interested in the topic. Her experience, facts, insights, and conclusions would be helpful to all three groups.
This takes up about the first half of the book.
The second half seems to turn attention to the subtitle "The Ultimate guide to what happens when we die." Some of it was interesting and thought provoking. Unfortunately, many of her theories and conclusions are at best a stretch and I think she fails to make a good case on several occasions. I also thought she droned on a bit long on some of her pet theories such as evolutionary change, but you may not mind if you liked her book - Children of the New Millennium.
There are a large number of references throughout the book and in the appendices so the interested reader can check facts and delve deeper in the subject from a variety of authors and researchers.
So I liked the first half - This is a big and excellent book on near death experiences. I learned a lot.
But I did not like the second half - This is not the ultimate guide to what happens when we die.
Happy reading.
Richard Sydney AustraliaApril 6, 2008 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I very much recommend this book by Atwater on Near Death experience. On the positive it is full of detailed accounts of Near Death Experience and it is meticulously researched. She is definitely an authority on the subject. On the down side the book repaets itself at times and even though she tries hard to be objective she is obviously pro afterlife and pro Christianity. This in itself is not a bad thing per se, don't get me wrong. It is an influencial and important piece of work. It is a must for anyone interested in afterlife etc. I was very interested to read Atwater's perspectives on the subject which seem to mirror other sources which I have encountered. The book has an excellent bibliography which allows the reader to access unlimited avenues of additional research. If you are interested in afterlife or spirituality its worth a read.
Highly RecommendMarch 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I would highly recommend this book. It's overall content is superb and is a very comprehensive guide to the study of near death experiences. Well-rounded and diverse, it covers the broad range of this subject in an easy to read format that opens the reader's understanding of this unusual and often misunderstood material. I am currently writing a research paper on near death experiences for my college psychology class and have found this resource invaluable.
