At the age of twenty, George Ritchie died in an Army hospital. Nine minutes later, he returned to life. What happened to him during those minutes w...
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Jul 16, 2008
Matt
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The author dies during a routine surgery and goes to the other side. I read this years ago, but I still remember the harrowing scene where substance-abusing addict-spirits were crawling all over humans participating in the activities the spirits craved to mortally do -- e.g., drinking, drugging, sexing, etc. -- trying to get some sort of "energy hit" from their unknowing mortal proxies. It's a very to consider that whatever desires control you in this life will pass on with you to the
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Nov 27, 2010
Charlie
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Nov 13, 2010
Rayni
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It was an easy read. It is not one I would have picked up on my own. It was interesting that his experience corroborates the teaching of the LDS Church & the man is not LDS & probably, in 1943, had never heard of the Church.
I wonder how many copies of The Book of Mormon he was offered in his lifetime. He died of cancer in 2007.
The bar scene was interesting to me. Knowing our habits & addictions follow us to the hereafter, I can just see myself trying to grab a Mt. Dew ou More...
I wonder how many copies of The Book of Mormon he was offered in his lifetime. He died of cancer in 2007.
The bar scene was interesting to me. Knowing our habits & addictions follow us to the hereafter, I can just see myself trying to grab a Mt. Dew ou More...
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Jul 20, 2008
Jeana
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This isn't my typical type of book, but I thought it interesting to hear what this man saw in his eight minutes of death. Strangely, it all seemed to make sense. I believe what he says he saw was the afterlife.
What I particularly liked about the book, though, was the feelings he felt in the presence of Christ and how he could feel that again in people who had Christ in them. Makes me want to try to be a better person--and see other people that way as well.
What I particularly liked about the book, though, was the feelings he felt in the presence of Christ and how he could feel that again in people who had Christ in them. Makes me want to try to be a better person--and see other people that way as well.
Jan 04, 2009
Carolyn
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This is the first NDE (Near Death Experience) book I read many years ago. It was intriguing then and is more intriguing as I travel closer to death's door. This book began a fascination, for me, with NDEs. Because of my belief in an after-life (or should I say, a return to our eternal existence) these types of books are a glimpse into what we don't remember of our previous lives.
I especially appreciate knowing what heaven and hell are really like. The idea that we make our own he More...
I especially appreciate knowing what heaven and hell are really like. The idea that we make our own he More...
Aug 05, 2009
Jake
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This is the only near-death book I’ve ever read. My fear of all things ‘Too Good to be True’ has kept me from delving further. An Aunt turned me on to this one when I was visiting family in Utah during my teens. What pleased her most was the book's apparent compatibility with Mormon theology.
We picked up a copy for me and I devoured it. It had a profound effect on my impressionable young mind. In particular, the strong moral overtones struck me. I took this book for gospel at the tim More...
We picked up a copy for me and I devoured it. It had a profound effect on my impressionable young mind. In particular, the strong moral overtones struck me. I took this book for gospel at the tim More...
Jan 01, 2009
Asia
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A wonderfully depicted glimpse at what life may be like after we die. Since it lines up with what God teaches about the afterlife through His spirit, prophets, scriptures, etc, it is credible and worth considering. I think that it is truly what the author experienced during the few minutes before he was brought back to this life. What happened to him afterwards--what he did with the knowledge he gained was indeed thought provoking as well.
***the following possibly contains minor s More...
***the following possibly contains minor s More...
Oct 25, 2010
Julie
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I enjoyed this book. It is an easy read which you could accomplish in a day or so. It is about a man, who at the age of 20 died for 9 minutes. He discusses the events that took place during this time and the change it made to his life. As far as I can tell, he is not LDS, or at least he wasn't when this happened.
I enjoyed reading his description of what happened. Nothing seemed unbelieveable to me, which in some cases the descriptions authors have given of their "near dea More...
I enjoyed reading his description of what happened. Nothing seemed unbelieveable to me, which in some cases the descriptions authors have given of their "near dea More...
Feb 04, 2012
Richard (Rick)
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I really enjoyed this short little book. I think it's one of the best "near-death experiences" books, and is a much more enjoyable read than the currently popular Heaven Is For Real book. I really appreciated the insights and reflections from the author about how he interpreted his experience and applied it to change his own life, including how he learned that he could find the same love and spirit he felt from meeting Jesus in the faces of some people in the world, and this was only p
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Apr 04, 2010
Leanne
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Interesting; incredible; rings true. I don't usually read life after death books because the really weird is mixed up so much with what may be actual or inspired (I've skimmed a few). However, Ritchie told the story straight forward without much embellishment. He wanted to die to be back with Christ, then began to see Christ in the eyes of those around him. Recognized Christ's spirit. Three degrees in the afterlife, but he didn't get but a far away glance at the brightest, and does not believe h
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Jun 28, 2009
Eva
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I usually enjoy reading about near death experiences. I have no firm belief about their significance/ultimate cause, and I typically find the stories behind them interesting, often enjoyable. This, of course, depends on the storyteller. This book was hyped to be one of the first to ever describe someone's NDE and a classic, by an MD & etc, so I was expecting some depth and perhaps a new level of insight from the author. I found it instead read like a moralistic beginning-level storybook (you kno
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Jun 30, 2009
Jacqui
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This book confirms to me everything that I believe about life after death and the all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ. Interestingly, although the author is NOT a member of my faith, it coincides with what my church teaches and with passages in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (read Alma 40-42). Truth is truth. Reading this has reopened my heart to trying to be less critical and more loving to all of my fellow souls on our life's journey, but especially to my family. The m
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Feb 25, 2009
Saraelizabeth
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This story is about a man who died in an army hospital during WWII, and was revived 9 minutes later. He claims that Christ came to him and showed him hell and a little of heaven. It was extremely interesting to read. Everything he said, so far as I could tell, could either be backed by scripture, or seemed to be believable. It was a great description of Spiritual prison and spiritual paradise as I've read in the Book of Mormon and in quotes by apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
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Feb 08, 2010
Carrie
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This book is phenomenal. I feel like it took me to a new realm of understanding. His experience is absolutely remarkable and has stirred thoughts and emotions deep within my soul. The question he was asked by that Being of love--What did you do with your life?--has caused me to stop and evaluate my motives, goals, and actions. Love. It really is about love. It's about relationships. It's about seeing Jesus in those around us. It's about discerning the good in others. It's about giving o
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Apr 24, 2009
Julie
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This book is the real life near death experience of George Ritchie. He was actually dead in a hospital in 1943 for at least nine minutes. What he learned during those nine minutes was life changing - for him and possibly for the millions who have read this book.
I first read this book over a year ago and it stayed with me so much, I had to find it and read it again. I was not disappointed. I'd like to purchase a few cases of this book and give one to everyone!
What's mo More...
I first read this book over a year ago and it stayed with me so much, I had to find it and read it again. I was not disappointed. I'd like to purchase a few cases of this book and give one to everyone!
What's mo More...
Feb 04, 2012
Lisa
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Feb 07, 2011
Amyjoy
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I went to Peru to pick up my father in Peru after his helicopter crash. Among his personal effects was this book. My Dad likely bought it at the airport. He must have known that his time was up.
I do not know if he read it or not.
It took me many years to want to feel like reading this. It has changed how I think and feel about Heaven. This is a must read if you are curious about what will happen to us after we die. I have read several other books on near death experiences. They are a More...
I do not know if he read it or not.
It took me many years to want to feel like reading this. It has changed how I think and feel about Heaven. This is a must read if you are curious about what will happen to us after we die. I have read several other books on near death experiences. They are a More...
Jan 22, 2009
Michelle
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What he sees in this "Death" experience is so much like I have been taught and believed all my life. The different "worlds" our experience people had and that hell was not fire and brimestone but having addictions that you could not "fix" It also is another book that helps you try and look at the deeper insides of people then just the outside. I noticed that when he found Christ in people he all ways was looking in their eyes. And that was the main message of this b
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Sep 09, 2010
KyneWynn
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I just reread this book today (Sept 9,2010) -- and I remembered what I liked about it. It is a matter of fact narration of a man's near death experience, which I found both comforting and profound. Comforting on account of Kelly (my deceased husband, who died five years and ten months ago, today), and I like the thought of him being in the type of city of light that is described in this book; profound, for the idea that the most important part of our earthly experience is to learn to truly love
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Nov 11, 2010
Sue
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I've read several books about Near Death Experiences (NDE's) and this man's story of the places he visited while dead and the things he learned is quite unique. The solid thread in almost all of the NDE books I've read is that the Savior wants us all to love everyone, be kind to everyone and look for the good in everyone we meet. Though we will not all have a Near Death Experience we can all learn from those who have shared theirs with us and strive to be a better person each day.
Feb 22, 2011
Kirstin
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So, this is my first taste of "life after death" literature. I breezed through this book in two hours. I found myself truly curious as to the meaning of his experience and amazed at the man he became because of it. Nothing he described contradicted what I believe, and although I probably won't go around teaching what he saw as fact, I believe the lessons he applied to his life were truly of merit. He learned to love people as God does, and who can argue with that?
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Sep 04, 2008
Abby
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My teacher read this to our class in 6th grade. I had totally forgotten the name of this book, but I thought it was fascinating, and scary. And I can't believe that my teacher was allowed to read such a religious book in a public school! I remember thinking that even as a 6th grader.
It's about a guy who has a near death experience. He dies, experiences a bunch of crazy stuff, then comes back to life.
Here is a part that scared me, particularly - the dead spirits would all More...
It's about a guy who has a near death experience. He dies, experiences a bunch of crazy stuff, then comes back to life.
Here is a part that scared me, particularly - the dead spirits would all More...
Sep 04, 2008
Kristen
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I figured it was a good book for near the beginning of my new reading journey- and I was right! It was a great book [the only reason I withheld one star is because I know there are so many other better books that I would read and reread, but this one I think reading just once suits me fine]. This is an amazing book about one man's journey to "the other side" during a near-death experience. It's amazing how a lot of what he saw and felt are closely linked to gospel truths found in LD
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Jan 11, 2012
Vaughn
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A great, short book covering Dr. Ritchie's somewhat unusual near-death experience (NDE). I first read this in my teens and was impressed. Caught much more this time. A fantastic eye-opener for why it is so critical in this life to abandon anger, addiction, ego, and grudges. You really don't want to carry those with you into the next world. Pure unconditional Christlike love is the greatest gift you can develop here--and establishing a relationship with Him.
Aug 11, 2009
Mandy
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I read this book after my neighbor told a story of her mother's death. I found this book very interesting, and I am so happy to read what he experienced. It is what LDS people believe of the after-life, and it was comforting to know it from someone who didn't have that knowledge prior to experiencing it. I think often on what the author repeatedly states he gained from his experience, and find myself wondering if I am doing enough.
Nov 15, 2010
Joseph
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Though the title comes right out of the 60s, when this book was written, I was surprised at how convincing Ritchie's story was. In fact, I was reminded of something that Arthur Henry King said about Joseph Smith's 1838 account of the first vision: Joseph was just telling the story how it happened without trying to convince anyone. Ritchie tells his story in a similarly humble way. His unassuming air makes him appear as though he were merely telling of an experience he had which even he doesn't s
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Mar 02, 2010
Jennifer
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Came across this book again recently, having read it years ago, and found it to be every bit as compelling as the first time I read it. As interesting as the author's brush with death was, it's the outcome in his changed life and attitude that created the most lasting impression on me. The great love he felt when he met the Savior is what stays in my mind and keeps coming back to me. Probably the best I've read of this genre.
Oct 08, 2009
Audrey L
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This is the first Near Death Experience (NDE) book I read as an assignment for my college "Death and Dying" class. The author's account of what happened to him when he died from pneumonia was amazing. When he finally realized he was dead he met Jesus Christ and was taken on a tour of the earth and other places. Everything I read just rang true.
After reading this book I started reading any other NDE book I could get my hands on.
After reading this book I started reading any other NDE book I could get my hands on.
Jan 10, 2010
David
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Read this book as a teenager, and reread it today when I rescued a box of books from my dad's storage. Love it. It is thought provoking and faith promoting, as the author, a MD and psychiatrist, recounts his own near death experience as a means of helping a patient come to grips with his impending cancer-caused death. Their are vignettes in this book that remind me how I need to live and to look for the face of Jesus in the faces I meet every day.
Mar 28, 2010
Megan
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Super short read. About a guy who dies in a military hospital during WWII, what he experiences in the 9 minutes he's dead (before he comes back), & how it affects & changes his life.
The few other times I've heard similar experiences (like in Sacrament Meeting) it's made me squirm. Not that I don't believe Christ could come to any of us in a vision/dream or in real life because I know He could but nonetheless it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it's the setting. But this one didn't-I More...
The few other times I've heard similar experiences (like in Sacrament Meeting) it's made me squirm. Not that I don't believe Christ could come to any of us in a vision/dream or in real life because I know He could but nonetheless it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it's the setting. But this one didn't-I More...
