The Near-Death Experience: A Reader

Book Overview

The Near Death Experience: A Reader is the most comprehensive collection of NDE cases and interpretations ever assembled. This book encompasses a broad range of disciplines: psychological researchers discuss cognitive models and Jungian theories of meaningful archetypal phenomena; the biological perspectivedescribes how brains near death may produce soothing endorphins, optical illusions, and convincing hallucinations. Philosophers present empirical analyses and images in archetypal theories, and the symbolic language of comparative phenomenological theories. Christian, Jewish and Mormon responses to NDEs outline the religious perspective, and the mystical and spiritual interpretations of NDEs are also explored.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415914310
• ISBN13: 9780415914314
• Release Date: August 1996
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Separation or the Perception of the Fall

I became aware of this book after reading the book by Kevin Williams' called Nothing Better Than Death. Specifically the NDE by Mellen-Thomas Benedict. His NDE experience goes all the way back to the "big bang" of the physical universe. His NDE journey has many other interesting enlightening experiences along the way. I am glad I own a hard copy of this book.

Great overview of near death literature

I stumbled onto this book after losing my Mother. I didn't want to read just one author who might overload me with his own set of beliefs on the subject. I wanted a representative and reasonably objective overview of the subject, and that is just what this book delivers. It covers the full range from uplifting stories of light and love and ultimate understanding on the other side to academic essays on the cultural and religious significance of near death imagery. You get believers and nonbelievers, scientists and saints between the covers of this collection. I read the whole book and am rereading it now. For a skeptic who really wonders where her Mom is now, it is comforting and thought provoking without being saccharine or preachy.

Great Book

I read this book for my Anthropology of Death course. It is the best book that I have read for any of my classes. It looks at all aspects of death, it integrates different opions from doctors, psychologists, and other people who have had near death experiences. It discusses the stages of dying and the NDE. It was a great book. It gets you thinking about what could be beyond.