Reading is a vital part of spiritual and afterlife research. Whether you are interested in the philosophy of consciousness, quantum physics, deathbed visions, near-death experiences, instrumental transcommunication, mediumship or the many other topics that contribute to the wealth of information surrounding the subject of life after death, there are thousands of wonderful high-quality books to choose from.

The following list comprises only the very best ‘five star’ books in my spiritualism library. I’ve included a brief introduction to each book to give you a feel for what makes it unique, inspiring, curious, even life-changing. While the books in my library cover a wide range of topics, all have something interesting, unusual or amazing to contribute to our understanding of afterlife research. I hope you find them as illuminating and inspiring as I have.

Books you will NOT find on this list:

Unsubstantial new-age drivel, corruptions of other teachings, advertisements for the author’s own psychic or mediumship services, and books that seem to be deceptive or exploitative. You will also not find books here with a dogmatic religious agenda (aside from historical works or NDE reports) because I am committed to an inclusive interpretation of the afterlife.

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Books are listed alphabetically by author’s name. Additional works by the author are listed below the main entry. To open a preview of the book on Amazon, click on the image of the book cover.

If you have a favorite afterlife or spiritualism book that you think should be on this list, please let me know in the comments!

I do not participate in an affiliate program, nor am I paid or promoted for recommendations.

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There are hundreds of books about near-death experiences available, but until now, none written by a neurosurgeon. Dr. Alexander was stricken with a particularly dangerous form of bacterial meningitis.  His full recovery is a miracle in itself, but most amazing is his description of visiting the afterlife, and the complete reversal of his scientific opinion about the survival of consciousness after death.  Dr. Alexander reviews both the medical and spiritual aspects through his unique perspective as a neurosurgeon, giving the reader rare insight into why his illness was a perfect study for NDE researchers, how his recovery was truly miraculous and how it changed him as a person.  Dr. Alexander is now a huge proponent and outspoken supporter of NDE research world-wide.

Additional works by Eben Alexander, M.D.:

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Stephanie Arnold’s remarkable story includes a very unusual aspect not usually found in near-death experience accounts. Stephanie had intense precognitive visions that told her that her pregnancy would result in a serious medical condition that would ultimately end in her death. For months before her due date, Stephanie told everyone she could exactly what would happen to her, but only one doctor listened – and it saved her life. This is an incredible story that tells of Stephanie’s harrowing experience of knowing for certain that she would die in childbirth, the agony of not being believed, even by her own husband, and the near-death experience that proved her right.

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Atwater is one of the leading researchers of near-death experiences, particularly in children.  This book uses a study of 277 adults and children who had a near-death experience as young as in the womb through their pre-teen years.  Atwater discusses not only the radical intellectual, social and cognitive changes in these children after their experience, but also the devastating impact NDEs can have, when not properly understood by themselves and by parents.  This book is important for any parent who suspects that their child might have had a near-death experience, even if the child doesn’t consciously remember it, or for anyone interested in the after-effects of near-death experiences.  What you will read in this book is truly groundbreaking science, research and study in a field that is rarely illuminated, even by the pioneers of such research in adults.

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Silver Birch is the name of an intelligence channeled through Maurice Barbanell for decades through Psychic News, a weekly spiritualist newspaper. The Silver Birch teachings, which comprise over a dozen books, are compiled into a question and answer style organized topically in this offering by Spiritual Truth Press. Silver Birch, the spirit in question, provides incredibly insightful and sometimes surprising wisdom. Although Silver Birch differs in opinion from other spiritual teachers on some topics, I feel that this fortifies the work rather than detracts from it. Silver Birch is an individual with opinions that are distinct from both other teachers and the sensibilities of the time in which he spoke. For those who are interested in the more mystical elements of Christianity in Spiritualism, Silver Birch speaks about Jesus, ‘the Nazarene’ quite often and with a sincere reverence.

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Laurin writes this book from a perspective we don’t ordinarily enjoy: that of a medical doctor with extensive experience in the emergency room, where patients are frequently resuscitated. She shares her own touching NDE story, then regales her experiences with patients and the amazing spirituality that she has encountered through their brushes with death.  It is refreshing to hear from a member of the medical establishment.  Too frequently it seems doctors are portrayed as resistant to miracles, near-death experiences, and death bed visions. Through Bellg, we are shown that there are doctors out there who have a fresh, open-minded perspective about spiritual phenomena and are willing to listen to their patients instead of dismiss their experiences out of hand.

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The first volume of work written through medium Elsa Barker through automatic writing in 1914 is a true classic of spiritualist writing. While some volumes become quaint or somewhat irrelevant as the decades pass, revealing in their outdated philosophies the clear influence of earthly ideas, this book has the ring of timelessness. In this book, Elsa writes for an unrevealed spirit author. In later volumes we would discover that this is Judge David Hatch who writes to Elsa not long after his passing to describe his wondrous experiences in the afterlife, full of magic and mystery. We are privy to his routine, his spiritual progress, and the story of those he meets in the afterlife. Hatch is new to this changed condition, so his perspective is largely of one who can aptly compare his previous earthly experience with all of the discoveries of this new world. The language and references may be dated since this book was published over a century ago, but the spiritual wisdom is still relevant to modern spiritual beliefs. This, in itself, serves to bolster the spiritualist doctrine as well as providing an interesting and unique afterlife experience in which to further ponder the mysteries beyond.

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The spiritualism movement reached its zenith during the conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries. Many grieving families used the new techniques of the time, such as automatic writing or mediumship, to connect with loved ones who had perished during war. This book is a collection of spiritual experiences and spirit communications with soldiers, military or political associates and ordinary people simply caught up in the conflict. The included contributes provide a diverse and fascinating look at both the historical events surrounding the wars of the last century and the after-death sentiments of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The contributors range from a private who perished after only a month in battle, to airmen, tank operators, a prominent judge, an English officer, even the secretary to President Roosevelt. Dr. Carl Wickland makes an appearance here, detailing a case of a stuck soul who perished on the Titanic. Although most of these sources can be found as individual publications, the messages compiled into one book united by a common theme provide the necessary context to more deeply appreciate both the communicator’s unique and shared experiences.

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Dr. Betty, Professor of Religious Studies at CSU Bakersfield, fills these pages with fascinating and evidential communications spanning two centuries to show us that the afterlife is not some dream-like hazy world of harps and clouds, but an ultra-real place that responds to our inner state of being. Through these carefully selected communications, Dr. Betty deftly guides us through the rational structure of the multidimensional afterlife and the stark responsibility we have for the state of our own consciousness. “The Afterlife Unveiled” expanded my understanding of the structure and purpose of the afterlife in a way other books have not achieved; it is a cornerstone of my library.  Any serious afterlife researcher should have this book in his or her collection.

Additional works by Stafford Betty, Ph.D.:

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William Bulman is an out-of-body expert. His first book, Adventures Beyond the Body, describes in fascinating detail his own experiences as he learned how to travel outside of his body in the astral and spiritual realms.  This book is a fictional account of the experiences of a person who is recently deceased and their entry into the afterlife. The protagonist dies and finds himself in the traditional Christian heaven. Everything seems wonderful at first – There are parties and church and social gatherings, his mother is there and makes all of the food he remembers and even lives in a replica of their old home. But something is wrong. Everyone’s still waiting for Jesus to return. This is heaven, right? Or might there be something far more complex and thrilling to this afterlife than what is found in the bible?

Additional works by William Buhlman:

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In this ground-breaking book, IANDS president Nancy Evans Bush has delved into an aspect of near-death experiences that are often cast into the shadow of community that tends to highlight the love and light of NDEs at the expense of the 1 in 5 NDErs who have a distressing experience. Negative NDEs can leave experiencers feeling alone, confused and scared; even when among other experiencers. Nancy Evans Bush herself experienced a negative NDE, and she presents this much needed book to challenge our fears and biases and confront the false idea that a negative NDE means that the experiencer is meant for a terrible fate. Nancy explores the symbolism and mystery of distressing NDEs, providing valuable insight into the mystery and symbolism of so-called ‘hellish’ experiences, as well as providing information on coping and integrating the experience. Instead of pretending that distressing NDEs don’t exist, or that those who have them are somehow flawed, we are asked to consider the powerful and often positive change that these difficult NDEs have brought into the lives of experiencers and the greater purpose that these experiences have served.

Additional Works by Nancy Evans Bush:

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Dr. Calvi-Parisetti is a Scottish medical doctor, afterlife researcher, professor and musician who has spent many years studying (and teaching) about the scientific and anecdotal evidence of the afterlife.  In order to help the uninitiated learn more about the evidence that exists for the afterlife, he compiled this book which is formatted in an unusual way.  He takes the position of an afterlife expert who will be presenting the evidence to a skeptic over 21 days – one subject per day.  Throughout the book, he creates the dialog between himself and the skeptic as the evidence is slowly presented, citing the studies and many, many examples to back-up his claims.  Over the course of the 21 days, the skeptic slowly concedes that the evidence for the afterlife is overwhelming and becomes a believer.  What I really liked about this book is that it is completely evidence-based. Dr. Parisetti doesn’t appeal to your emotional side, but relies on solid evidence that appeals to your sense of logic and common sense.  Many of the lines of evidence in this book proved to be a springboard for further research.  Through this book, I learned where to find more obscure evidence, and what type of scientific research has been done in each area of afterlife research.  This is also a great book to give to an open-minded skeptic who knows little of the field.

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I cannot praise this book highly enough.  I would recommend anyone who is interested in ideas that go beyond mainstream science read this to get an excellent understanding of how and why science, academia and close-minded skeptics have been dogging experimental and alternative research for years, and how their arguments fail in the light of truth.  Carter calls out individual skeptics and shreds their arguments, and then provides the reader with a fascinating history of PSI testing, all the while maintaining sound scientific logic and bare fact.  This is not an emotional attack on the ‘other side’, it is simply truth – so much of which has been lost in the skeptical debate against parapsychology and PSI research. I commend Chris Carter for his thorough research and appreciate his ability to separate truth from fiction, misdirection and the out-right lies that have plagued the war over PSI for a half-century.

Additional Works by Chris Carter:

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Review coming soon..

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Frederic W. H. Myers was one of the founding members of the Society for Psychical Research, and his contributions during his life to the study of parapsychology were notable. However, his book, written after his death through the mediumship of Geraldine Cummins is truly remarkable. Myers provides rich detail about the multi-dimensional afterlife, explaining each level in the ‘road to immortality’ from the earth-like Plane of Illusion to Out Yonder, a plane of experience so abstract that Myers struggled to describe it. This is a classic of spirit literature, and I would recommend this for all serious researchers of the field.

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The Sphere and the Hologram is book detailing the collaborative sessions of Rita Warren, teacher and volunteer at The Monroe Institute, and Frank DeMarco who acts as the ‘communicator’ to a group of discarnate entities affectionately called ‘The Guys Upstairs’. Rita poses thoughtful questions and Frank speaks for ‘The Guys’, discussing topics about life, death, time, the afterlife, spiritual progression and much more. This book, and the Rita’s world books that were written after Rita’s passing are an excellent collection of sophisticated channeling. If you love deep philosophical questions about the nature of reality, you should have this collection in your library.

Additional Works by Frank DeMarco and Rita Q. Warren:

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This is not a book containing research on past lives in children, it is a collection of anecdotes and stories submitted by ordinary parents and collected by the author. It’s a light read, though for anyone interested in past lives, past life memories in children or the afterlife in general, the stories seem sincere and some provide interesting food for thought. The stories are organized by subject, such as children who remember choosing their parents, or children who remember being parents themselves. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on ‘memories of spiritual connections to our source’. The genre of books on children’s past lives is not as robust as others, such as near-death experiences. If this is an area that interests you, you will definitely enjoy having this book in your collection.

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The Third Man Factor is a one-of-a-kind book that discusses in-depth a phenomenon that is not well-known, even for researchers of the paranormal. The Third Man is the name that describes the effect that some people in serious survival situations have had of a mysterious presence that has provided life-saving guidance, advice or moral support in the moments of greatest peril and despair. From a survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the infamous Earnest Shackleton who explored the Antarctic during the turn of the century, the stories are compelling and engaging. Most importantly, the author does not just present a sensationalized account of each experience of the third man, but considers neurological or psychological reasons by the phenomenon, thereby presenting a very honest, well-rounded exploration of the topic. The reader is left to determine for themselves if they believe the evidence of the third man is paranormal or the adaptation of humans to stress. Regardless of what conclusion is drawn, the accounts remain inspirational and provide much to reflect upon regarding the sheer power of the human spirit.

Additional Works by John Geiger:

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Bill and Judy Guggenheim coined the phrase “After-Death Communication” and this work is now considered one of the classics in afterlife literature.  Publishing only first-hand accounts, the book details over 300 personal stories of communication from loved ones after they pass. Not only have the Guggenheims “written the book’ on ADCs, they pioneered the study of it.  The created the survey, research methods and even the categories that ADCs are now traditionally categorized into.  It is a must read for any researcher looking for information about after-death communication. Related: After-Death Communications: Why it Happens, Why it Doesn’t, and How to Encourage Signs From Loved Ones In Spirit

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By all accounts, Annie Kagan was a normal, ambitious and successful woman working as a Chiropractor and writing music on the side.  After her brother Billy passed away after a decidedly very troubled life, Annie was lost.  She had quit her practice and moved into a rural home away from the noise of the city to pursue writing music.  Alone and grieving, Annie shuffled through each day wondering where her brother was – that is, until she heard his voice speaking to her out loud.  This book records not only the amazing afterlife experience that Billy recounts (one of the most unusual and interesting that I have read), but also the many coincidences and blessings that help bring Annie back into focus in her own life.  Billy is a rare spirit who has not decided to return to earth for any further incarnations, so his afterlife experience is unique and even somewhat sad, as his consciousness deepens and expands through the book and his spirit becomes less Billy, and more… something else.  Want to read an excerpt and find out more about Billy’s experience?  Try this post: Passing On: Transition Stories, Part III.

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Surviving Death is a book written by journalist Leslie Kean who compiled evidence of life after death after developing a personal interest in the topic. Using her skills as a journalist, Kean delves into the evidence in a grounded and substantial fashion, inviting 10 well-known experts and witnesses to contribute their perspective and credibility to the narrative. On January 6th, 2021, Netflix aired a docuseries based on Surviving Death, which I highly recommend. For fans of the show, the book expands on some of the cases featured, such as the fascinating cases of children with past life memories. NDEs are thoroughly explored, as well as mediumship, after-death communications and apparitions, including deathbed visions. Kean has provided an excellent and compelling introduction to the evidence for life after death.

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Written by an ordinary guy looking for answers, this book is surprisingly full of research and evidence. Presented in a casual style, Cyrus mixes the findings of his own research with personal stories that led him to question the reality of life after death. Cyrus uses a lot of evidence in his book, putting forward a convincing argument for life after death. He especially devotes a lot of time and research into physical mediumship, a topic most books tend to ignore or gloss over. This is a great book for people new to the genre and the field of research because of the casual and honest style of presenting the evidence.  Cyrus doesn’t try to sell you, he’s searching too.

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Biocentrism is an extraordinary book because the author, Dr. Robert Lanza, is considered one of the top three living scientists in the world today due to his ground-breaking contributions to stem-cell research.  He shocked (and dismayed) the medical and academic communities when he published this book that turns materialism, the bedrock of science, on its head to suggest that consciousness creates matter, not the other way around.  Dr. Lanza believes in life after death, and explains his theory of both consciousness and the real nuts and bolts of the universe using philosophy, quantum physics and biology to support his argument.  The book is not a light read, and for non-science nerds the chapter on quantum mechanics might be a little difficult.  If you can keep an open mind, though, this book will broaden your horizons and encourage you to consider your reality in a completely different way.

Additional Works by Robert Lanza, MD:

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Dr. Jeffrey Long is one of the giants of NDE research, and of you want a book that lays out the scientific evidence for life after death based on near-death experiences, this book doesn’t disappoint. Dr. Jeffrey Long is a medical doctor who has expended a considerable amount of research time studying patients who have had these experiences. This book is filled with stories and personal experiences that carefully build evidence for the reader, as well as medical and scientific perspectives that have resulted from Dr. Long’s extensive research and medical knowledge. This is definitely one of the seminal works in NDE literature.

Additional Works by Jeffrey Long, MD:

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Richard Martini explores the world of Life-between-Life and Past-Life hypnosis in his book Flipside.  Each chapter presents an interesting look into the past lives of clients undergoing regression and their thoughts on the experience.  I enjoy that Martini’s work stands as a kind of independent analysis of Dr. Michael Newton’s LBL techniques. The regressions are done by different therapists but have uncanny similarities as well as comparison value to the Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls books by Newton.  If you are interested in past-life regression, or have enjoyed the books by Newton, I highly recommend this book. Martini even includes an interview with Newton himself. This book will have you thinking very critically about how your own life might be connected and influenced by the past, but just as likely you’ll also be won over by Richard Martini’s infectious charisma and gregarious nature. As serious as this subject is, Martini’s easy charm gives the subject matter a well-deserved tonal lift.

Additional Works by Richard Martini:

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In Dying to Be Me, Anita really draws you into her whole life story, not just the miraculous part where she has a near-death experience and heals from stage 4 cancer in a matter of days upon her return. Anita’s experience also leaves the reader with lessons they can apply to their own life, without ever feeling preachy. The medical evidence was provided to oncology doctor Dr. Jeffery Long who independently verified her claims of this medical miracle. Highly recommended for anyone struggling with fear, illness or challenge in their life.

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Dr. Michael Newton started out as an atheistic psychotherapist attempting to use standard hypnosis to help patients get to the root of their phobias, fears, recurring nightmares and untreatable illnesses.  During one frustrating session early in his career, he asked his client to go to the source of his issues.  His client spontaneously started describing a past life.  Over the years, Dr. Newton then began regressing his clients to the time they spent between lives, eventually pioneering his Life Between Life Hypnotherapy technique.  He started the Newton institute to teach other qualified therapists to do the same and the technique has spread around the country.  Dr. Newton realized over 30 years of work that his patients were describing the same aspects of the afterlife.  They described the council of elders, the life review, a library where we can access past lives, soul groups, specializations for advanced souls (see my post on Dr. Newton’s Afterlife Careers) and much more.  This is a book packed with detail about the afterlife through selected case studies and if you trust that Dr. Newton’s work  is genuine, I promise you won’t think about spirituality or the afterlife the same way after reading this book.

Additional Works by Michael Newton, Ph.D.:

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If I had to choose one book to give a person who knew absolutely nothing about the current research in life after death, I’d give them this book.  Bob Olsen’s style is approachable without being patronizing, and his spiritual know-how is solid. He speaks about his own 15 year search for life after death after the death of his father and gives excellent advice for others who want to start their own research.  Finally, he devotes a large portion of the book to question and answer which covers basic questions about the afterlife to anyone starting out might have. The spiritual information is well-researched, as one would expect from a PI. It’s an great all-around introduction to spiritual topics.

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Peter Panagore is a twenty-one year old college student who opts to accompany an acquaintance on a dangerous winter backcountry ice-climbing trip at the Lower Weeping Wall in the Canadian Rockies in order to avoid returning home to his troubled family during a school break. Although Peter is an experienced back-country camper, he is a novice ice climber. When he and his climbing partner become stranded on the ice ledge after nightfall, Peter succumbs to hypothermia and dies waiting for rescue. His powerful and challenging near-death experience changes his life forever, although he struggles to adjust to life after meeting the face of God. This book combines the thrilling and terrifying aspects of Peter’s ice climb with the impactful experience of his NDE to create a unique book that not only conveys the transformative beauty of a near-death experience, but all of the difficulty that experiencers have when they return to ordinary life.

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Dr. Parti had it all: fancy cars, a huge mansion in Cali, a beautiful wife, three kids and the job of a lifetime: anesthesiologist at one of the best heart surgery hospitals in California. All this was about to change with a series of health-related misfortunes and a life-changing surgery.  In a heartbeat, Dr. Parti was shown how shallow and meaningless his materialistic lifestyle was during his extensive near-death experience. After meeting with his deceased father, ancestors and two angels, he was told that when he returned to life, he would have to give it all up, start over and begin healing in a completely new way. Dr. Parti doesn’t sugar coat his own short-comings and challenges along the way, and his experience can serve as both lesson and inspiration to the challenges that we all face on this journey through life.

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Review coming soon…

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Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul was allegedly written by a high-level discarnate entity named Seth who spoke through writer Jane Roberts in the 1970’s. Jane never became famous or rich during her lifetime channeling for Seth twice a week and yet for 20 years, she and her husband dutifully recorded the most amazing, original and sophisticated spiritual literature in the 20th century.  This is the first book in a series produced by Jane/Seth, and they get progressively harder and more technical.  This book had a profound personal impact on me, and undoubtedly the larger spiritual movement. This is not a book of platitudes, but rather an introduction to the very nature of multidimensional reality. Combining science, philosophy, health and practical advice for living an unapologetic life, Seth Speaks is required reading for any afterlife researcher or spiritualist. Even if you doubt the “supernatural” origin of the words, the message is so profound and so elegantly inspirational that it matters little; the work stands on its own regardless of any question of authorship.

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What? A science book in the midst of spirituality literature?  Yes!  Part of life after death research involves exploring new frontiers of science and reevaluating what we think we already know.  This book questions the assumption of materialism and urges us toward a more nuanced understanding of the importance of consciousness in the universe.  While this book doesn’t explicitly talk about life after death, Sheldrake navigates many of the pillars of science that most of us take for granted, turning theories on their head by presenting evidence that conflicts with even our most grounded scientific certainties.  Exploring topics such as the fundamental constants of the universe, consciousness and the brain, and how biological systems are formed, Dr. Sheldrake uses his extensive background as a research biologist to guide us through the history of scientism, the current intellectual stranglehold in academia and many new theories, such as his own Morphic Resonance. Related: Telepathy is Scientifically Proven by Dr. Rupert Sheldrake (And Ignored By Science)

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Galen Stoller was 16 years old and preparing for a hopeful future as an actor on Broadway. But in 2007, Galen’s life would be cut short when a train hit his car, killing him instantly.  Galen’s father is both a physician and a spiritualist, and unusual combination that would later facilitate communication between father and son.   The result of those conversations is recorded in this book. Galen’s afterlife is fascinating. We see him struggle to deal with his initial loneliness, then begin to learn about his new environment. He meets beings from other dimensions, saves his father’s life, becomes friends with his brother from a past life, and more. Each person will have to decide for themselves if they believe Ken Stoller was really in contact with his son and I feel the book is worth a read to find out. Related: Find out more about Galen’s story in my post: The Afterlife of an American Teenager: Galen Stoller’s Story and this post: Passing On: Transition Stories, Part VII

Additional Works by Galen Stoller/Kenneth Stoller, M.D.:

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Natalie Sudman was working as a civilian construction contractor in Iraq when her convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. Natalie was seriously injured, but before being rescued she ‘blinked’ into a completely different dimension where her experiences were being examined by thousands of “white-robed beings”. Far from a traditional NDE, Natalie’s time in the spirit world opened her eyes to truths about our physical lives, consciousness, the role of spirit guides, soul contracts and much more.  This is one of the most instructive NDEs I’ve ever read.  Related: Read my post on The Implications of Natalie Sudman’s Unusual Near-Death Experience in Iraq.

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 This book is a good introduction to the evidence of life after death without being completely overbearing. Taylor introduces some of the most well-known cases in several areas of life after death evidence, such as death-bed visions, near-death experiences and mediumship. Also provided is the history of spiritual development in the 1800’s and the interesting cases that provided a foundation for modern belief. The book is not comprehensive by any means, but for a reader that isn’t looking for a tome on the subject, the book presents a diverse selection of evidence. The writing has a lighter touch, so this is a good book for those who aren’t interested in chapters full of scientific citations and references to quantum physics. Taylor takes a neutral position throughout the book, letting the evidence speak for itself while still maintaining a running narrative that attempts to pull it all together for the reader.

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Alex Tsakiris hosts the popular podcast Skeptiko, where he interviews authors, researchers and experiencers typically relating to consciousness studies and psi phenomenon.  If there has been a great new case, book or breakthrough in research, you can bet that Alex will interview them on his show.  The book he presents is a distillation of what he’s learned about the frailty of the scientific establishment of materialism, and why the looming edifice of current scientific belief is not as solid as it appear to be.  He uses examples from his own interviews and pairs them with alternative evidence to illustrate his point. Alex is strong-willed in his opinions, but open-minded. There is no glad-handing here: Alex seeks out experts in every field to blow the field of alternative science wide open.  Dr. Dean Radin, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, Dr. Jan Holden, and Dr. Jeffrey Long, among others, all make their appearance here.

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Dr. Tucker is a psychiatrist and research scientist who has collaborated with the pre-eminent scientist, Dr. Ian Stevenson who was famed for his rigorous study of memories of past lives in children.  Arguably THE best scientific evidence for life after death today, Dr. Ian Stevenson’s methodology was considered so bulletproof, that few skeptics even dare bring up his work, preferring instead to pretend that his conclusions simply don’t exist rather than attempt to refute them.  Dr. Tucker takes up Dr. Stevenson’s work where he left off after his death, continuing with Dr. Stevenson’s excellent methodology to bring us some of the most fascinating cases of past-life recall in children.  Like Stevenson, Tucker follows up with all cases to ensure that there is no way the children or the families could have come up with the information in a fraudulent way.  If you are looking for a fast, exciting read, however, this may not be the book for you.  The scientific thoroughness that Dr. Tucker insists upon unfortunately translates to extremely detailed, technical and sometimes dry reporting.  However, if you are serious about finding scientific evidence that is hard to refute, this book will not disappoint.

Additional Works by Jim B. Tucker, M.D.:

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Matthew Ward was 17 years old and returning from a day’s work on his father’s spice farm in Panama when his Jeep ran off the road into a rocky field.  Matthew did not survive his injuries, leaving his sister, two brothers and parents bereft.  His mother, Suzanne, sought out mediums who all told her the same thing: in time, Suzanne would be able to speak to Matthew directly.  Suzanne, possessing no psychic powers or mediumship abilities was puzzled. Fourteen long years later, however, Suzanne awoke to Matthew’s voice in her head loud and clear saying, “Mother, this is Matthew.  Yes, this really is Matthew.”  The next day, Matthew began to speak about his death, his life in the afterlife, and what all of us can expect when we, too, arrive there.  This is the first of many ‘Matthew Books’ and it is fascinating.  If you enjoyed Galen Stoller’s ‘My Life After Life: A Posthumous Memoir”, then you will love this book as well.  In fact, Matthew and Galen have a connection.  After Galen died in 2007, his father Ken contacted Suzanne in order to get a message to his son.  Galen writes in his book how Matthew Ward found him in the afterlife and agreed to send a one-time message to his father, while also passing along another message: Galen and his father would be able to accomplish the same telepathic connection that he and his mother still enjoy to this day. Want to read an excerpt and find out more about Matthew’s story?  Try this post: Passing On: Transition Stories, Part VIII

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This is a classic in spiritual literature.  Dr. Brian Weiss, a traditional psychiatrist, tells of his first experience with past-life regression which happened quite accidentally while he struggled to help a young woman with several phobias and deep, unexplained trauma.  While the story of her past lives are quite compelling, I was disappointed that the book only revolves around one patient.  From an evidential standpoint, one patient’s hypnosis can hardly be considered proof of the afterlife or reincarnation.  Which of her so-called past-lives were real and which may have been created to please the obviously enthusiastic doctor is impossible to tell.  However, I think this book does have merit which is why it is included in my recommended reading list: the ‘messages from the masters’ are interesting and inspiring, and its written well enough to be entertaining.  This book also provides some insight as to the process of healing trauma through past-life recall, which does seem to have therapeutic value regardless of the source of the ‘memories’.  If you are looking for more information about past-life hypnosis, I would also recommend Dr. Newton’s “Journey of Souls” and “Destiny of Souls”.

Additional Works by Brian Weiss, M.D.:

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Victor Zammit, a retired lawyer, introduces the concept of weighing life after death experiences evidentially, as any lawyer would examine the facts of a case in a court of law where scientific proof was not available. If you are looking for a book that presents all of the best evidence – the scole experiment, the cross-correspondences, instrumental transcommunication, physical and mental mediumship, past life regressions, even quantum physics – this book has it all in spades.  This book also has chapters on some rather unusual evidence, such as xenoglossy, psychic detectives, the Ouija board, and independent voice mediums.  It’s a wonderful in-depth guide to most aspects of life after death research without delving into the philosophy of spirituality or providing an overall theory of the afterlife and its mechanics. The book provides the evidence, and asks you, the reader, to draw the conclusions about what this means for your own beliefs.

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Jurgen Ziewe is an expert in out-of-body travel, spending a long time learning the fine art of directing his consciousness away from his body and into the astral realms.  These realms also happen to be where spirits reside; the afterlife. In a sense, Ziewe is crossing through the veil into the multidimensional afterlife in order to tell us what it’s like.  In his travels, he meets his deceased mother, family, and friends and explores the various levels that spirits find themselves in after death.  He wanders into a cartoon world created by two cartoon enthusiasts, meets women who make him a new outfit using their thoughts, and even learns the horrifying and gruesome hellish fate of suicide bombers. This is an amazing resource for afterlife discovery; a unique, interesting book filled with descriptive details that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

Additional Works by Jurgen Ziewe:

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More book reviews coming soon….