A kayak accident during a South American adventure takes one woman to heaven — where she experienced God’s peace, joy, and angels — and back to life again.
In 1999 in the Los Rios region of southern Chile, orthopedic surgeon, devoted wife, and loving mother Dr. Mary Neal drowned in a kayak accident. While cascading down a waterfall, her kayak became pinned at the bottom and she was immediately and completely submerged. Despite the rescue efforts of her companions, Mary was underwater for too long, and as a result, died.
To Heaven and Back is Mary’s remarkable story of her life’s spiritual journey and what happened as she moved from life to death to eternal life, and back again. Detailing her feelings and surroundings in heaven, her communication with angels, and her deep sense of sadness when she realized it wasn’t her time, Mary shares the captivating experience of her modern-day miracle.
Mary’s life has been forever changed by her newfound understanding of her purpose on earth, her awareness of God, her closer relationship with Jesus, and her personal spiritual journey suddenly enhanced by a first-hand experience in heaven. To Heaven and Back will reacquaint you with the hope, wonder, and promise of heaven, while enriching you own faith and walk with God.
©2012 Mary C. Neal M.D. (P)2012 Random House
rshewman
"Christian witness for the most part"
It strength and weakness is that the book is primarily a Christian witness. I purchased the book out of curiosity about the NDE The book advertises. However, the book spends very little time on the NDE. Most of the book is Dr. Neal's life story, with an emphasis on how God has touched her life.
It was enjoyable for the most part but the marketing was misleading.
The narrator did a fine job.
"Incredible!"
Yes. The story is so moving in so many ways. Very credible with many joys and sorrows but mostly that there is a wonderful afterlife waiting for us.
That God sent Mary back to comfort her family and relay the message from Him that He is for real, loves us beyond measure and that we will be reunited with Him and all of our loved ones one day.
The relationship she has with her son Will and the messages that he gives her.
Loved it!
"Travel Brochure to a Place We Can All Go"
The overview of her life sets the background for her encounter with the afterlife. Her life after the encounter feeds off the joy and purpose she discovered while there, and which made it possible for her to deal with the severe emotional trauma of losing a child.
The author herself was a very real character and portrayed herself in a very easy-to-relate-to way.
I especially liked the scene where she is drowning in the waterfall and yet feels no pain or anxiety. From our human way of thinking those should have been the most unbelievably awful moments and yet she distinctly remembers being completely bored.
I would have listened to it all in one sitting, even though the pace slowed somewhat after her return to this life, but time did not allow it.
"A Narcisists Legendary Tale"
Leave out personal religious and political beliefs.
No.
She did not focus on the title of the book. What draws the reader to the book is the title and the promise of hearing a story of angels and life after death from a medical doctor's perspective. She focused instead on her personal accomplishments here on earth. We learn mostly that she is highly educated, well traveled, a world class athlete, and of course a perfect mother.
I just finished the book, and was so disappointed. I purchased it because I lost my sister recently and wanted something uplifting.
I was surprised to discover there is very little in this book about death, heaven, and angels.
The book is mostly comprised of Dr. Neil's narcissistic rantings about her accomplishments in life (beginning in childhood) and religious/political beliefs.
It's almost like reading someone's journal. She seems to be ego tripping all over herself throughout the book. By halfway through the book, I'm thinking, OK, we get it, you are a brilliant, highly educated, cultured, world class athlete, all the while being the perfect parent.
It's ironic that she says she embraces "finding joy" every day in her life. I "find" that hard to believe if her book is any indication. The entire book is bleak, depressing, and dark, even when she is describing what should be a happy experience.
I'm a religious person, and even I grew tired of the constant interjection of her torturous and redundant perspective on religion and faith. There are countless numbers of quotes and readings from the bible. One might start to wonder if she was using them as filler.
Despite all of the good doctors success in life, the reader will likely get the strong impression that Dr. Neil feels like she has endured many injustices throughout her life.
Welcome to life here on earth Dr. Neil!
I love to read and quilt. However I always have a problem trying to decide if I would rather read or quilt since I love them both. Audible has solved my problem. Now I can quilt and listen to my favorite books. I love it.
"To Heaven and back"
I had hoped to hear more in her out-of-body experience, however it was a good listen.
Surprised and pleased.
Yes
"Much Effort To Listen"
I have nothing to say regarding the Author's description of heaven and her experience. I however found this book hard to listen to because it seem like too much like a story and not a real life experience.
"Missing any detail"
I enjoyed and appreciated the author's story but I don't feel like I got any information about what she learned while visiting Heaven. It clearly transformed her life, but I'm not sure I got any information.
"Not my cup of Tea"
Found it over simplistic
No. I recently heard Proof of Heaven and was throughly engaged
Ms Lowman was fine
I cannot imagine where to begin.
No
"A fascinating read...."
Don't miss this fascinating read of a woman's spiritual journey. She goes from being a teen with a purely academic knowledge of what she's been taught to a woman with a vibrant, active faith. If you read this just for the "what's heaven like" experience you'll be disappointed as it's relatively short. It's all the adventure leading up to it and how God changed her entire life that will captivate you. Because she is an adventurous person and one who is not content with a mundane life, her story weaves in many experiences where God showed up in unmistakeable ways. If you are seeking to know God in a deeper, more meaningful way, this book will be encouraging to you.
paws4me
"Save your $$ and your time"
To me there are other books that are more inspiring about going to the next world and back. For my taste all the Bible quotes were off putting. I believe the next world is for everyone. Even without the quotes, it was just ok, yes her rescue was remarkable but.......