Have you ever wondered what happens when we die? If you haven’t, then you would be in a very small minority of people on the planet who have not pondered this most profound question. Maybe you are the only one! I know that from an early age, I have certainly wondered what happens when the physical body dies. And in my search for spiritual truth, I believe that I have an answer that resonates with me, and everything I am. Dr Raymond Moody and Paul Perry have recently published a book entitled “Proof of Life After Life”, which I was drawn to, not simply because it was written by the ‘father of near-death experiences (NDEs) himself, but because the word “Proof” was included in the title. In this book review of “Proof of Life After Life: 7 Reasons To Believe There Is An Afterlife”, I hope to give you an overview of the book, its contents and critical reception, as well as my own personal response to it.
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Review Overview
Book name: “Proof Of Life After Life: 7 Reasons To Believe There Is An Afterlife”
Authors: Dr Raymond A, Moody and Paul Perry
My rating out of 10: 9/10
Print length: 228 pages
Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words
Cost: Varies from $12.99 to $35 depending on whether paperback or audio recording
Formats available: Paperback, Hardback, Audio and Kindle
Worth a read?: Definitely – buy it here.
Who is Dr Raymond A. Moody?
Dr Raymond Moody isn’t just another author plugging his near-death experience (NDE) book. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as I’ve read a fair few of those myself and loved them all for their insights on the ‘other side’. No, what makes Dr Raymond Moody an authority in this area, is that he was the first scientist to coin the term near-death experience (NDE) in 1975. From there, he almost single-handedly transformed how we think about near-death experiences.
His first ground-breaking book “Life After Life” was a systematic collection of his research into NDEs as they’re called, based on his collection of hundreds of case studies and interviews with ordinary people who claim to have experienced them.
Dr. Moody has been at the forefront of research into this topic for decades, crafting what might be one of the most intriguing fields of modern research. As an American philosopher, psychiatrist, and physician, his work has always been conducted with a strict scientific approach. In his latest book, and teaming up with Paul Perry, another New York Times best-selling author on the subject, they set out on a quest to uncover proof of an afterlife.
What’s it about?
What’s so fascinating about this book is how it tackles this massive mystery—what happens when we die? But don’t be fooled: we’re not talking about a couple of ghost stories whispered around a campfire but rather a serious scientific investigation deeply rooted in personal accounts and historical insights. The primary goal here is clear: to present genuine evidence that consciousness persists beyond our last breath.
Dr Moody himself says that in his first book “Life After Life”, he held back from affirming that his research proved the existence of an afterlife, but in his latest book, he is more definite. He states that his research proves that consciousness exists after the death of the physical body. Most of this conviction he now puts down to the objective evidence of what Dr Moody has termed “shared-death experiences” or SDEs. There are several personal and objective case studies of SDEs outlined in the book. Dr Moody argues that NDEs are always subjective, being experienced by only one person with no other objective evidence other than their retelling of events. However, in SDEs, experiences occur to more than one person and can be verified between the witnesses. Therefore, they can be considered objective evidence and would stand up in court as proof.
Having recently read this book, I found it to be a compelling exploration into the continuity of consciousness beyond physical death. The authors present seven key reasons supporting the existence of an afterlife, including near-death experiences (NDEs), shared death experiences (SDEs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), terminal lucidity, after-death communications, past-life memories, and psychomanteum sessions. Each chapter is enriched with in-depth case studies and interviews, providing a comprehensive examination of these phenomena.
I have been a believer in life after death for as long as I can remember, so maybe I’m a little biased. That said, I found the book added weight to my conviction, especially in the evidence presented around SDEs which I found to be fascinating. The fact that so many doctors and nurses, especially in hospice situations, gave evidence about seeing phenomena around the time of someone’s death, makes for compelling reading.
Summary of Content
The book starts with an introduction and preface by Dr Eben Alexander, himself an NDE experiencer and author. It then continues with:
- Intro: Near-death experiences
- Chapter 1: Shared -death experience
- Chapter 2: Reason number 1 – Out-Of-Body Experiences (OOBEs)
- Chapter 3: Reason number 2 – Precognitive Events
- Chapter 4: Reason number 3 – The Transforming Light
- Chapter 5: Reason number 4 – Terminal Lucidity (TL)
- Chapter 6: Reason number 5 -Spontaneous Muses, Healings and Skills
- Chapter 7: Reason number 6 – Light, Mist and Music
- Chapter 8: Reason number 7 – The Psychomanteum
- Conclusion
Critical Reception
Critically, the book has been well-received. Publishers Weekly commends the authors for amassing “an impressively broad and vivid array of firsthand accounts,” providing substantial material for contemplation. The Theosophical Society in America appreciates Moody’s willingness to assert the existence of an afterlife based on objective evidence, emphasizing the significance of shared death experiences. Goodreads reviewers describe the book as “engaging, thought-provoking, and convincing,” particularly noting the detailed exploration of the psychomanteum.
Reviews from Amazon
Here’s a summary of some of the reviews of the book on Amazon:
- Insightful and Compelling:
Many readers found the book insightful and thought-provoking, with some considering it the most convincing book on the subject of life after death. They said that it provides comfort, particularly to those grappling with grief and existential fears. - Comforting and Reassuring:
Several reviews highlighted how the book offers reassurance and solace, especially for those facing loss or anxiety about mortality. Readers with personal struggles, such as chronic illness, found it particularly helpful. - Writing Style and Readability:
The book is praised for its clear, easy-to-follow writing style. Readers appreciate the well-structured presentation and accessible explanations of complex ideas. Some found the content repetitive if they had read Moody’s previous works. - Depth of Research:
Many reviewers commended the thorough research, especially regarding shared death experiences and the psychomanteum. They appreciated that Moody presented evidence from scientific perspectives rather than personal anecdotes. - Mixed Opinions:
While most readers found the book engaging, some were disappointed, feeling it lacked new insights compared to Moody’s earlier work, Life After Life. A few reviews mentioned inconsistencies in case studies and wished for a deeper exploration of recent scientific findings. - Emotional Impact:
Readers mentioned feeling profoundly moved and reassured after reading the book, with some expressing a desire to gift it to loved ones who are sceptical or curious about life after death. - Criticism:
Some readers felt the book did not provide anything new beyond previous publications and that it could have engaged more with recent scientific developments. A few found it a little repetitive or lacking in depth.
Overall, the book receives high praise for its emotional impact, accessibility, and research, though some long-time followers of Moody’s work wished for fresher perspectives.
My final thoughts
In conclusion, “Proof of Life After Life: 7 Reasons To Believe There Is An Afterlife” offers a thought-provoking and comprehensive examination of the afterlife, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in the subject, especially if this if your first foray into this fascinating area.
Formats and cost
The book is available in multiple formats to suit different preferences. The paperback edition, published by Atria Books/Beyond Words on September 12, 2023, spans 228 pages and is priced at $17.00.
Morgenstern BooksFor those who prefer digital reading, an eBook version is offered at $12.99. Barnes & Noble Additionally, an unabridged audio CD format is available for $39.99, catering to listeners who enjoy absorbing content audibly. Books-A-Million.
Get “Proof of Life After Life” from Amazon here:
This review offers a thorough look at an incredibly compelling subject—the possibility of life after death. Moody, a pioneer in the field of near-death experience (NDE) research, builds upon his groundbreaking work to present new and intriguing evidence supporting the existence of an afterlife. By exploring phenomena such as shared-death experiences (SDEs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), and terminal lucidity, the book combines personal accounts and scientific rigor to make a strong case for the continuity of consciousness beyond death.
I like that you have read the book and list the thing that stands out for you, such as the emphasis on SDEs, which provide a unique angle by involving multiple witnesses, adding an element of objectivity often absent in NDE accounts. This seems like an interesting book to read.
Thanks Andre for your comments on the book review. I hope you will consider reading it as it really is a compelling subject as you say. There are many other life after death or life after life books out there too which you might like to consider as well. All the best, Gail