Proof of the Afterlife: The Conversation Continues

by Gary Joseph

This is the true story of one man's crossing over to the Other Side in September of 2005, when, after an out-of-control heart arrhythmia at 1:15 a.m., he wakes up dead in the afterlife, and comes back thirty minutes later to tell about it. In the words of his family physician, "Dude, you have been somewhere very few people ever return from." This book also chronicles his somewhat unusual daily life since that time-one of frequent God-encounters, and visits from the other side by family and friends on a mission to facilitate love, mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2010

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

First let me start out by saying, I do agree with the hypocrisy of most Christians and their "Do as I say, not as I do" philosophy. I feel like most people get lost in their own faults and lives to realize what a negative affect their words and actions can have on the people around them (as well as their own hereafter). I feel like this was important for the author to get across and he did so very well. However, that's about all I was able to take in from this novel.
I felt as though throughout the book the author was extremely repetitive about what was in the upcoming chapters. He kept starting to talk about something and then reference a later chapter, so the whole story was given in pieces and parts that went back and forth in time with no fluidity or transition. There were a few gramatical errors and horrid comma use but otherwise the problem wasn't the sentence structure. The book was not what I expected. I was looking for a more Diary of Anne Frank feel where the author detailed his near death experience in his journal and how it made him feel. What I got was a little more preachy and a tad more far fetched in some assumptions. It was filled with a few tiny journal passages and then the rest was simply speculation about events that tied into some of the author's dreams. It was very hard to keep up with what was going on and when. I do, wholeheartedly, believe that God talks to us in so many ways and that everything in this book could have happened, but I feel like in this book, it was a little too much. The journal entries weren't journal entries in a sense that they didn't feel "real." What I mean is that when someone writes in a journal, there are no limitations--most of the time people write what they are feeling and it's not proper and well written all the time. These entries seemed strained...and there was way too much abiguity. So much so that the author had to take a ton of time explaining what he went through...because the journal didn't have any details about the experiences.

[Orbs n Rings · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible journey of faith and the proof of the eternal life that awaits us.

Proof of the Afterlife is a very comforting book and Brother Joseph is sincere throughout his depictions of his encounters and in his relationship with his family and close friends. This leads me to believe he truly has had all these experiences, as he has written in his book. Soon after his life-after-death experience Gary started to have apparitions, dreams and other out of this world things happen and continue for many years of his life, which he documented. Br Joseph was raised in a very dysfunctional family, with a controlling father, an abusive brother and a mother who never stood up for herself. Gary explains about his struggle to understand and forgive his parents and his brother, all who are now deceased. His greatest conflicts were with his father, who even disowned and refused to visit his own son, Gary's brother, while he lay dying. As his father grew older Gary later tried to get him to have a relationship with God, especially before his father passed on. I found this part of the book to be very emotional and difficult. Br Joseph chose to write and share about his life and this incredible journey, not only to show how he found peace during the most difficult times in his life, but also so others could find comfort in knowing there is life after death. That we may know their is a God who loves us all, even if we think we are not deserving of that love.

When a member of the clergy comes to mind, whether it be a Nun, Priest, Father, Bishop, Cardinal or a Brother like Gary, I have never felt the need to wonder if maybe their parents or brothers or sisters also believe in God. It has never really crossed my mind until I read this book, and now for some reason I find the need to give it thought. God chose Gary to speak directly to, yet he is just like anyone else on this planet. Br Joseph is a sinner like us all, and he makes it a point many times throughout the book. I clearly understand the way Br Joseph explains how God may speak to someone. Whether it be through a dream, in our daily thoughts, however I had a problem understanding the locution thing he talks about. Gary gives many accounts throughout the book of being in the presence of God and having visits from the other-side. All of which I believe are genuine since he always describes them as being peaceful and always giving him guidance and understanding. Having studied and read hundreds of accounts of afterlife experiences. It has been well documented by many that do cross over and then coming back to life do keep a spirituall connection to that other-side and even continue to have visits and unusual experiences. Proof of the Aferlife is a life changing book and one to share with others. This is a very powerful book and it makes a great read for anyone, atheist, Christian, any believer in God and especially for those who may believe there is no afterlife.

[ILoveBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is it like to die? Many of us will find out, but never be able to tell others about our experiences. This is an interesting novel in that the reader will experience what the author is feeling. The journal entries feel a tad preachy and even a little fake, however, they are intriguing. The reader will enjoy reading about the author's ideas and extrapolations based on his near-death experience. Many biblical references are made, these are explained well-the reader will not be confused or left in the dark. There are pictures in the middle to help explain some of the references and stories the author speaks of. The journals could have used a little more detail, it sometimes seemed that the author was explaining too much rather than letting the facts speak for themselves. Overall, a reader who is interested in this topic would be most likely to enjoy this novel.

I received this novel to review, this in no way compromised my review or thoughts about the novel.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Hunter Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message is beautiful, though the writing was spotty at times. A good inspirational book.