I bought this book because I had been reading the studies that Dr. Raymond Moody had been conducting of near-death experience, and have grown to greatly admire him for his courage, scientific discernment and honesty.
This is an account of Dannion Brinkley, who survived a lightning strike that shot down into his home's telephone wires and into a receiver as he was having a conversation. I'm not sure if Dannion actually wrote the book himself, but the accounts are folksy and chatty, so it's probably only edited by Paul Perry. Dr. Moody wrote a few pages of commentary. I would guess that the film, "Phenomenon" is very loosely based on Dannion's story, only much more highly romanticized. Dannion's story is heart-breaking and gruesome, but, surprisingly, he has you laughing all the way through the book.
I don't dispute that because of an accident that caused Dannion to be dead for close to 25 minutes, he would develop unused and fascinating talents. But, a lot of the ideas are familiar and not extraordinarily novel. The biggest leap for him personally was a total 180 in Dannion learning about compassion and, apparently, gifts of precognition.
It's a great book to read if you want a fascinating journey through a candid story about a riveting paranormal account, and not bothered by the fact that Dannion will make you laugh about stuff you "shouldn't laugh" about.
I’ve bought the book after hearing Dannion’s interview on the radio. Dannion's story was an amazing one and he told it very well. It’s not only about near-death experience but life transformation.
I'm not sure if I truly believe the experience as it's told, but it's an intresting story and a remarkable man to have overcome what he did.