To Heaven and Back

A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story

By: Mary C. Neal MD

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Fascinating

Near death experiences are always more interesting/credible when written by a physician, because they can address the critics arguments about the impossibility of NDE's in a scientific manner. This is a great story. It is very well written and there is a lot of detail on the experience itself and how it affected the author and her family. The narrator does a great job too.

great listen

It was a well written and narrated. The story was compelling and inspiring. Inpkan on sharing this title.

Inspiring story

Dr. Neal endured heartache and tragedy and in all things it was obvious that God sustained her. Her time in heaven changed her and how she viewed life.

Recommended to help me through the loss of my son.

I recently lost my son. Not only was he my son he was my best friend. My soul is crushed, and I’m searching for Comfort. This book was recommended to me by someone who understands things that I do not. It has been of great comfort and I will probably listen to it a couple of times. Definitely worth listening to.

Emotional

Love the narrator!!!!! This is a beautiful book. The interaction I've had with the Lord were life changing as well.

A Blessing to hear and a healing to my soul.

This confirms my belief that the word coincidence has been removed from my vocabulary. Turn it all over to God.

if you liked the Bible, you'll love this book

I had big expectations before listening to the book. I even hoped she would broaden beyond one religion and one prophet, but she doesn't.
However, I enjoyed her personal story and was intrigued by following her thoughts as she evolved, but... but her experience only made sense to her through her Christian lens and that was frustrating. it's like watching a kid get a kick out of riding their 2-wheeler but they refuse to take off the training wheels.
She's a decent writer and had a full rich life with many heartaches and blessings. If you read between the Bible lines, you can see universal truths peek out.

Deepened My Spirituality

Amazing listen - both the story and performance. I do not doubt the facts in this book at all and really appreciate the willingness of Dr. Mary Neal to share the intimate details of her life.

This book has brought me to a place where I want to keep growing spiritually and has deepened my relationship with my higher power. I am not a "religious person" and there was a lot of reference to the bible in the story but IMHO each reading from the bible related to each chapter in the book and only enhanced the book.

I don't believe in coincidences. Listen to this audio book - you won't be disappointed.

A good, quick listen. I listened to it twice. :-)

Very interesting story. Very inspirational. Great if you enjoy real-life accounts. I'm sure I'll listen to it a third time. :-)

Amazing experience!

This book fills you with hope and love. It gives you insight into your future and how much you are loved, especially through difficult times. The author is credible and balanced. Absolutely loved it and recommend it more than any book I’ve read in recent years!