Reviews
After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond by Bruce Greyson
lory_enterenchanted's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
5.0
Fascinating look at the science of near-death experiences, from a doctor who entered the field without a previous attraction to the paranormal, incited by an experience with a patient he could not explain. Along with the information about these remarkable experiences, we learn about the resistance of many scientists to doing actual, unprejudiced science, even when it challenges their previously held beliefs. Fortunately, Dr. Greyson went against this stream and pursued the research that has the potential to help change our outdated view of the mind as proceeding from the brain. There is no evidence for that view, and mounting evidence that they are different things; the brain is an instrument for the mind, and not the only way of accessing one's soul-spiritual side. Our ability to experience freedom, love, and life are not dependent on the body, though it is our task to bring them into this world through the body. The reports of these life-changing experiences are humbling and inspiring, expanding our view of what it can mean to be human.
Recommend for anyone with end-of-life questions who wants an approach based on science and not religion.
Recommend for anyone with end-of-life questions who wants an approach based on science and not religion.
pond0603's review
informative
slow-paced
5.0
Informative and definitely interesting. Such a huge topic people don’t like to talk about, but this may bring somebody a little more piece when thinking about death or losing a loved one.
annebennett1957's review
3.0
A few insights. Fairly technical. I read Dr. Moody's book back in the late 1970s and I was hoping to feel equally as encouraged and as in awe as I did back then but I realize that I do believe in a afterlife and reading a book like this just confirms my beliefs even if many people do not credit their life after life experiences as union with God.
One aspect I don't remember from earlier readings: some people had horrifying NDE and came back to life determined to do things differently, not wanting to ever contemplate the awfulness of a life without God. Hell?
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2023/06/three-book-reviews-rome-antiracism.html
One aspect I don't remember from earlier readings: some people had horrifying NDE and came back to life determined to do things differently, not wanting to ever contemplate the awfulness of a life without God. Hell?
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2023/06/three-book-reviews-rome-antiracism.html
hannas_heas47's review
4.0
The subject in this one was definitely eye catching as it demonstrates that near death experiences are differs yet similar for anyone who has experienced it. Most doctors won’t acknowledge near death experiences despite patients knowledge of things they shouldn’t.
What did I like? My father had a NDE and retold it many times over the course of my life. If it hadn’t been for a student doctor that saved my father after he’d already been cut open for an autopsy then I wouldn’t be here. Medical phenomenon has always been tossed around in our house since his NDE but he also said he saw pink elephants while detoxing from alcohol. I’m glad this doctor didn’t discount so many people’s experiences. Some things just can’t be explained. This book gives you a look at different experiences and allows you to look at the different qualities of a NDE.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d definitely buy a copy and recommend to people curious about things that happen when your body is clinically dead. My father has since passed but this book also gave me peace and made me feel closer to him. I simply believe there is a veil between this world and the next and we must lose our earthly bodies to pass through. Scientists are becoming more convinced as well. Four stars! Interesting book!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
What did I like? My father had a NDE and retold it many times over the course of my life. If it hadn’t been for a student doctor that saved my father after he’d already been cut open for an autopsy then I wouldn’t be here. Medical phenomenon has always been tossed around in our house since his NDE but he also said he saw pink elephants while detoxing from alcohol. I’m glad this doctor didn’t discount so many people’s experiences. Some things just can’t be explained. This book gives you a look at different experiences and allows you to look at the different qualities of a NDE.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d definitely buy a copy and recommend to people curious about things that happen when your body is clinically dead. My father has since passed but this book also gave me peace and made me feel closer to him. I simply believe there is a veil between this world and the next and we must lose our earthly bodies to pass through. Scientists are becoming more convinced as well. Four stars! Interesting book!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
amberunmasked's review
2.0
Bruce Greyson didn't win me over with After. This collection of near-death experiences (NDEs) has many interesting cases in it, but the presentation of those cases is lacking. Since it reads like a text book, it's boring. Still, there are poignant facts worth taking notice of if you can manage to slog through the pages.
Do you remember that ending of the Lord of the Rings movies where it felt like it was ending, but then it didn't and fooled viewers three or four times? Reading After is like that. Even in Greyson's final chapter where he's specifically summarizing each lesson learned, there were too many false wrap-ups with "and that brings us to the next lesson," type of structure. There were at least seven lessons spelled out in the conclusion.
If the subject of what happens after we die appeals to you, there are certainly plenty of books on it. Due to the various ways in which people face death, take note that suicide is addressed sporadically. Greyson calls them "suicide attempters" which in 2021 when language has evolved to be more inclusive and sensitive, these subjects should be referred to as "suicide survivors" at the very least. The main conclusion of addressing suicide is that, even though people had pleasant experiences when they left their bodies, they were not compelled to try again and get to that peace any quicker. The opposite happened among that demographic. They were more inclined to appreciate every moment of living.
For others who were taken from their bodies by means of accident or natural causes, there were some cases where returning to their living state after having time in a state of complete peace left them utterly depressed.
Greyson does interview subjects who have set religious practices and others who have lapsed and atheists. Some people saw what they expected to see: deceased loved ones, Jesus, or a God of one form or another. Certain people were surprised by what they encountered.
Greyson has a passion for his psychiatric practice and for the NDE subject. That much comes through. The book just did not stick the landing in organization and presentation of people's deeply personal stories. His writing between the stories is extremely repetitive.
Do you remember that ending of the Lord of the Rings movies where it felt like it was ending, but then it didn't and fooled viewers three or four times? Reading After is like that. Even in Greyson's final chapter where he's specifically summarizing each lesson learned, there were too many false wrap-ups with "and that brings us to the next lesson," type of structure. There were at least seven lessons spelled out in the conclusion.
If the subject of what happens after we die appeals to you, there are certainly plenty of books on it. Due to the various ways in which people face death, take note that suicide is addressed sporadically. Greyson calls them "suicide attempters" which in 2021 when language has evolved to be more inclusive and sensitive, these subjects should be referred to as "suicide survivors" at the very least. The main conclusion of addressing suicide is that, even though people had pleasant experiences when they left their bodies, they were not compelled to try again and get to that peace any quicker. The opposite happened among that demographic. They were more inclined to appreciate every moment of living.
For others who were taken from their bodies by means of accident or natural causes, there were some cases where returning to their living state after having time in a state of complete peace left them utterly depressed.
Greyson does interview subjects who have set religious practices and others who have lapsed and atheists. Some people saw what they expected to see: deceased loved ones, Jesus, or a God of one form or another. Certain people were surprised by what they encountered.
Greyson has a passion for his psychiatric practice and for the NDE subject. That much comes through. The book just did not stick the landing in organization and presentation of people's deeply personal stories. His writing between the stories is extremely repetitive.
kittyinatophat's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
3.5
This was a therapist assigned reading because I suffer from good ole parental death trauma ™️. I did appreciate the different angles Dr. Greyson touched on and the fact that he tried to frame it in the most unbiased way possible (highlighting the “pros” and “con” a near death experience can have on someone’s life) but I also did find it hard to get through. Whether it’s because a. it was just a lot to read about all the different ways people can spontaneously die or b. I didn’t like the way it was written, I’m still not entirely sure.
Also do not read this book if you’re pregnant or wanna be pregnant. So many near death child birth experiences UGH.
Regardless I think it was important for me to read this and I think it was a great introduction to the topic. I’ll definitely be reading more books about near death experiences in the future.