Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot

by Bruce Leininger, Andrea Leininger, Ken Gross

Book Overview

This is the story of James Leininger, who-- a little more than two weeks after his second birthday-- began having blood-curdling nightmares that just would not stop. When James began screaming out... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446509337
• ISBN13: 9780446509336
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating

Soul Survivor is a very interesting account of a very young child having dreams and knowing facts about historical happenings when he was entirely too young to have gained the knowledge through television, books or the Internet. Begging the question, is James Leininger really James Huston reincarnated or has James Huston's soul communicated with little James through his dreams? Many parents have wondered where their toddlers come up with mature observations and such; Soul Survivor provides one answer because the Leiningers had both the curiosity and the courage to investigate the ramblings of their child. There are so many events in Soul Survivor that support the theory that souls are eternal and reincarnation is possible. If read with an open mind, this reincarnation story is fascinating. I recommend this book to anyone who is teetering back and forth about their belief in reincarnation. The Divine Plan: A Novel of Obsession

A Clash of Faith vs. Fact

Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, this story is extremely meaningful. Bruce Leininger's research uncovered the stories of the 21 men who died while serving our country off of the escort carrier USS Natoma Bay during WWII. The military records had been classified for over 60 years until Mr. Leininger uncovered them in order to disprove the information revealed in his son's nightmares. The accounts of these mens deaths had never been published.The surviving family members were unaware of how their loved ones had died until the records were sent to them by Mr. Leininger. If this story is compelling for no other reason, the painstaking research and discovery of military records that brought peace and closure to the surviving families who still grieved for their loved ones generations later is a monumental accomplishment. Mr. Leininger stated that researching the details of how fighter pilot, James M. Huston, Jr., died and reconciling them with his son's night terrors was "a clash of faith vs. fact". His journey led him from trying to disprove the information to slowly substantiating it as a true historical account. The evidence is overwhelming. Whether you are a believer or a non-believer, this story is about a renewal and acceptance of faith. It made Mr. Leininger re-examine his own belief system and, ultimately made him believe even stronger in what God promises to all of us....that of our soul's eternal life.

Very Compelling!!!

This was an amazing story! I'm usually quite dubious when it comes to such topics. Especially when it comes to the religious ramifications of "reincarnation." But then, as a realist myself, the concepts of "Christ" and "Salvation" have their own place on that shelf I call "Faith." It was an incredible act of faith when Bruce set out to disprove the reincarnation of James M. Huston, Jr. in order to validate his own beliefs. I doubt my faith is nearly as strong. I don't usually go about asking questions that I don't want to know the answers to - but Bruce did. Thankfully, his faith seems to have survived intact. As for me - my mind has opened a little wider and my vision of God is filled with more wonder.

Strongly recommended

Writing about reincarnation brings the skeptics out of the woodwork and many people in Western culture say, "I don't believe". The Judeo-Christian ethic does not believe in coming back in the form of another person. Bruce Leininger, a Human Relations executive, and his wife, discussed their two-year-old son James' nightmares and bizarre conduct. Soul Survivor, will be released in June 2009 dispelling some of the doubts that Bruce had about the phenomenal behavior of his son. Ken Gross provides a great assist in conveying their story. Since their son was a lot different than most two-year-olds, Bruce and Andrea Leininger sought the help of Carol Bowman, renowned author, who wrote books about vivid past lives of her children. The Leininger's needed a better way to contend with the mysterious recollections by their son with his screaming in the night as his plane dove into the ocean in flames. "Little man" James would describe his life as a fighter pilot and how he died when he was unable to get out of the cockpit of his Corsair, which had been hit by enemy aircraft in the battle for Iwo Jima. Bruce and Andrea were unable to rationalize James' behavior. They could not explain his vast knowledge of airplanes, crew members, or recollection of actual events which had taken place during the life of James M. Huston Jr. At the age of four, James was able to name crew members who had died before him and states he met them in heaven before his birth as James Leininger. "He was a four-year-old, and he was saying things that made his parent's skin crawl," according to Ken Gross. Bruce became a first-rate detective in the ensuing years, uncovering actual people who swore that his son James III was indeed James Jr. after many years had gone by. Bruce met with surviving crew mates, the sister of James Jr., and had his little son speak with her. Astonishingly, they had conversations which started in the 1940's, and continued as if it were yesterday. There was noticeable sibling bonding as the two of them exchanged words of affection, even though they were 80 years apart! James will turn 11 this year and the nightmares are gone, but many of the memories linger on. Reading this book may not change beliefs in reincarnation, but may cause wonder for the skeptic. Soul Survivor is strongly recommended. Clark Isaacs Reviewer