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)

I am a believer....

This book is both fascinating and fast moving. Truly, I could not put it down! Eban Alexander's story is so vivid in his telling. It is even more riveting because as a neurosurgeon he has been trained not to believe what he experienced. A wonderful story about an amazing man's journey to the afterlife and back. You will want to listen to it again and give it to those who you love.

Is this believable?

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

The fact that it tackles the question which everyone who has ever lived, deals with.The question 'what is after death?' This is a well done true story about a man who has dealt with other people's fear of death on a daily basis and what happens when he is faced with death. Having a first hand narrator helps to not only 'hear' the story but to feel it also.

What other book might you compare Proof of Heaven to and why?

I haven't wanted to read other Near Death Experience books, but when I saw it was a Neuro-surgeon, it really got my attention. Credibility is a big issue for me.

What about Eben Alexander’s performance did you like?

He comes across as being very sincere and genuine.

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

When he talked about his mother ,( I don't want to give away any of the story ) it was hard not to feel the tears.

Any additional comments?

This will grab your attention for more than just the time you put into reading it. Real life is real life, no matter how many scoffers there are out there.They certainly need to read the whole book before making rash judgments. One of the top books I have listened to on Audible. Thank-you Audible. And thank-you Eben Alexander.

Touching and Fascinating!

What did you love best about Proof of Heaven?

It was very personal, especially because it was read by the author, and it was like listening to him tell me the story himself. I was genuinely touched by the personal, human side of his story, but riveted and satisfied by the depth of his scientific, professional knowledge and his striking ability to blend the two aspects into a very moving, thought-inducing story. I have to listen to it again, because I want to hear the details I missed going through the first time. Adding to my list of all-time favorites!

More proof that our Spiritual side is real.......

If you could sum up Proof of Heaven in three words, what would they be?

Fact, proof, Heaven

What did you like best about this story?

The description of the other realm

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

It made me smile to remember the other side.

New insights on NDE and consciousness

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

Dr. Eben Alexander colorfully shares with us his unique experience using both his left and right brain. He skillfully tries to share his experience as a scientist and convey logical data regarding the human brain. There is also a delightful personal narration of his life story with sincere feelings and narration of his emotional states.
The honest conclusion of his narration applies to all people: we all need to try to become better in this life and develop our emotions of love, compassion, integrity and sincerity.
Thank you Dr, Alexander for sharing your experience and feelings with us.

Compelling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the author has done a good job of laying out the events and her thoughts in an accessible and compelling way that still allows readers to form their own opinions.

Not as focused as I would have liked

The title promised me a neurosurgeon's view of near death experiences (NDEs). There certainly was some of that, but I think he was trying to make the book do too many things. It alternates between being a memoir of his own life, telling the story of his own medical emergency and coma, struggling to relate the details of his NDE, and defending why his NDE cannot be dismissed as a brain-constructed fantasy. I confess I was far more interested in the last two than the first two. Note that he had four years to construct a coherent version of what he experienced in coma, so it's a little frustrating to be told that most of it cannot be conveyed in human language. His defense of NDEs relies almost exclusively on his own analysis of the situation. Again, having had four years to review this, I would have welcomed support from the medical establishment of his own conclusions.

However, these are in the last analysis somewhat superficial criticisms. Whatever it was that happened had a profound effect on Dr. Alexander, and on how he has chosen to live his life since then. Clearly there are things that medicine and science are not able to adequately explain. I hope that Dr. Alexander will eventually come up with a followup book that is more technical in tone that addresses his experiences in more detail.

This is one case where I absolutely support the idea of the author reading his own book. Hearing him tell his own story conveys the conviction he feels about what happened better than any other narrator could have done.

The best book I have read/listen to on Heaven

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

It was not just a Bio but it was easy to listen/read as far as relating to what is heaven like. He told about questions he had and answers that made sense. I fully recommend this book to everyone. A have to for persons/ relatives of dying.

What about Eben Alexander’s performance did you like?

Everything the way the story was laid out didn't seem just like a bio like some others that I read

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Truth of Heaven

A must read by an impeccable source.

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

To hear such a personal and powerful tale told by the very person that experienced it gives it the highest possible level of honesty and believability. Since I did not also read it for myself, I cannot compare it to that, but I can encourage everyone to hear Dr. Alexander for themselves, since he is absolutely and completely credible.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the depth and completeness of his remembered experience, and that he was able to relate it to his lengthy profession as a respected neurosurgeon.

Which character – as performed by Eben Alexander – was your favorite?

Himself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. My wife and I listened to it together as part of a very special togetherness activity.

Any additional comments?

No matter how or what you think about religion, this book will reach your spiritual center and give you hope and peace.

Interesting read though often bogged down

Too much emphasis on brain and medical details and not enough on the actual experience of the after life.