Book Review: To Heaven and Back

  My most recent review is from "Blogging for Books", and it is the book from Mary C. Neal, MD, "To Heaven and Back".  The book is about Dr. Neal's near death experience that occurred during a kayak accident in South America, and how that experience (and other life experiences) shaped her life and changed her perspective about her faith and her life's purpose while on earth. 

  First I will review the book and its content, and then give you my personal thoughts about the book.  As far as readability, this book is a quick read and Dr. Neal writes in such a way that you could actually read this book in one sitting.  She breaks down the book into 33 short chapters that coincide with her life from her early years to the current day events of her life.  Dr. Neal brings the reader into her life by sharing her intimate thoughts and feelings.  When authors share on such a personal level it always draws me into their stories and lives. 

  I feel as if one of the goal's of Dr. Neal's book is to show her readers that God's miracles still occur everyday all around you, if you just have faith to believe in Him and not see life's experiences as coincidences.  She shares much of how her near-death experience changed the way she viewed life,  God, Jesus and her relationships with others; including her patients, friends, and family. 

  I am not going to share much of the personal details of her story as it will be better if you read it for yourself.  However, I did want to mention that as a born again Christian I am always cautious about reading books about near-death experiences, angels and other spiritual practices.  I am sure that many of the stories that we read in this genre are true, but I to know that many stories that are out there are not true and not of God.  In reading this book, I felt Dr. Neal did a good job at showing how her relationship with God was strengthened and her focus was mainly on Him and not other "spiritual" things.  As much as I can know I felt that what she was saying was true.  (Disclaimer:  There was one story about a friend of hers and her husband that passed away. Personally, I was not at all comfortable with what she claimed.  I do not feel as if it lined up with what Scripture says.  Please read with discretion and prayer).

 I can only say if you read this book, or any book about these kind of topics, read with caution,  Pray that God will give you discernment about what is truth.