Proof of Heaven

A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

By: Eben Alexander

Narrated by: Eben Alexander

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The #1 New York Times bestselling account of a neurosurgeon's own near-death experience—for fans of 7 Lessons from Heaven.

Thousands of people have had near-death experiences, but scientists have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those scientists. A highly trained neurosurgeon, Alexander knew that NDEs feel real, but are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.

Then, Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by a rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and emotion—and in essence makes us human—shut down completely. For seven days he lay in a coma. Then, as his doctors considered stopping treatment, Alexander’s eyes popped open. He had come back.

Alexander’s recovery is a medical miracle. But the real miracle of his story lies elsewhere. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine source of the universe itself.

Alexander’s story is not a fantasy. Before he underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. Today Alexander is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.

This story would be remarkable no matter who it happened to. That it happened to Dr. Alexander makes it revolutionary. No scientist or person of faith will be able to ignore it. Listening to it will change your life.

©2012 Eben Alexander (P)2012 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Critic reviews

"Dr. Eben Alexander's near-death experience is the most astounding I have heard in more than four decades of studying this phenomenon. In my opinion, Dr Alexander is living proof of an afterlife." (Raymond Moody, MD, PhD, author of Life Beyond Life)

"Eben Alexander brings a unique perspective to the sacred world combining a glorious, personal vision of spiritual consciousness with patient, insightful scientific inquiry. Proof of Heaven is a compelling story of what may lie ahead for all of us in the life beyond this one. We have nothing to fear." (Allan J. Hamilton, MD, FACS, author of The Scalpel and the Soul and Zen Mind, Zen Horse)

"I can highly recommend this important book that has the potential to break many scientific taboos." (Dr. Pim van Lommel, cardiologist, author of Consciousness Beyond Life: The Science of the Near-Death Experience)

Believe

What made the experience of listening to Proof of Heaven the most enjoyable?

The author's sincerely in his reading and his own scientific background.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Proof of Heaven?

His need to share what he'd experienced.

What does Eben Alexander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His sincerity.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I'm already a believer, so no extreme reactions. I do think his explanations are some of the clearest I've read.

Any additional comments?

For those still curious, try Many Masters, Many Lives.

Mesmerizing!

Dr. Alexander gave me a very vivid picture of his experience. I was so excited to find out what happened next I was on chapter 33 the first day. By day two I had finished my experience and I wanted more. I fell in love with his two sons, especially Bond (such a courageous little fellow) I am going back to listen to the audible book again. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I am now not affraid to live or die.

Life changing

This book is a life changing experience. Thank you for sharing the story that God gave you.

A good story. Most of it held my interest.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book, it's comforting and reinforces what some already know or believe.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I felt like some of the story about the authors background did not relate to the message he was trying to convey. Some details were not of interest and I didn't see how they related to the message.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Eben Alexander?

Maybe

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

Overall it was a good book.

Amazing and great. Would recommend to everyone.

I loved this book. I have always felt “Science cannot exist without God and God cannot exist without science”! I am a nurse and I loved all of the scientific information in this book because I feel it really tied in science and God. This was an inspirational story. Highly recommend.

Beautiful way to explain an out of this world experience

I too had something similar happen to me but I did not have a near death experience. It’s peaceful to hear someone put into words what I experienced.

Proof of Heaven worth a read

Our pastor spoke about this book in one of his sermons, and suggested we read it, so we did. My husband and I listened to it separately, and he found it more interesting than I. I did enjoy it, but wish he had written more.

It was instructive that Alexander was pretty much a skeptic, and that his life truly changed after his experience. Of most importance to us was his incredible recovery from an illness which should have been fatal. The fact that brain function was so minimal for such a long time, 7 days, and the memories Alexander had from that week are incredible! His appeal is to the skeptic and the person needed scientific proof. For me, that is not necessary, and so I guess I wanted more details about his time and what he learned.

There is a realization Alexander has which is near the end of the book which is really awesome. If you want a book full of Scripture and specific discussions about how to better one's life here on earth, or a list of Christian only terms, it is not there. The author deepened his Christian faith as a result of his amazing week, but I think the desire was to reach many who are not of a particular belief. We are buying a copy for an agnostic brother for Christmas.

This is worth the read, and the author does an excellent job. I would have given this a 4.4 if possible.

Enjoyed it, Wanted to Enjoy it More

This book has a beauty about it that is undeniable and it gave me a sense of calm about the end of life. From a writing standpoint, it felt like it needed a stronger editor to bring it to life and help us feel more deeply connected with the experience of the author. He would graze over subjects that sounded fascinating and then skip right over them. That aspect seemed lazy from an editorial standpoint and I found it aggravating, but only because I was enjoying the book as much as I was and didn't want to feel cheated out of an ounce of its goodness.

Seems a bit self absorbed

this book seems a bit self-absorbed for me. And his take on Christianity seems a bit New Age like. Well I'm sure he had a great experience and it was interesting to hear about it I really did not need all the specific details about his medical condition. The audience for this book is clearly to be for the people that are agnostic or atheist. If you're not if you have a particular set of beliefs you may be disappointed by this book.

Fascinating read from a medical doctor

Would you consider the audio edition of Proof of Heaven to be better than the print version?

I have read some about near death experiences (NDE) but this story and experience as told by the patient himself, Dr Eben Alexander is fascinating. His medical knowledge brings the facts and myths of NDEs to a new level of understanding and I really enjoyed it. It is very 'medical' at times with words that I didn't always exactly understand the meaning of, but that is precisely what gave it validity in my opinion.

Who was your favorite character and why?

He is the only character in the book. He did a fabulous job of telling his story, even doubting at times, how it could be real given the graveness of his medical condition. That fact that he is living, and writing, and able to so clearly tell his story is a miracle.

What about Eben Alexander’s performance did you like?

He did a great job reading and got emotional at times so I knew he was really reading from the heart.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he talked about meeting his birthparents.