If so what is it like? Does memory and personality survive? How do Western ideas of the afterlife compare with Eastern?
If so what is it like? Does memory and personality survive? How do Western ideas of the afterlife compare with Eastern?
Afterlife & reincarnation, Psychology (general), Research
The fruit of a lifetime's research and experience by a world expert in the field, Is There An Afterlife? presents the most complete survey to date of the evidence, both historical and contemporary, for survival of physical death. It includes mediumship and channelling, spontaneous cases, hauntings, apparitions, Near Death Experiences, out of the body experiences, Electronic Voice Phenomenon, Instrumental Transcommunication and recent laboratory work. It accepts that evidence is often disputed but makes the claim that much of the phenomena is inexplicable without some form of survival. It looks at the question of what survives-personality, memory, emotions and body image-in particular exploring the question of consciousness as primary to and not dependent on matter in the light of recent brain research and quantum physics. It discusses the possible nature of the afterlife, the common threads in Western and Eastern traditions, the common features of "many levels," group souls and reincarnation.
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This book delivers what its subtitle promises, and is required reading for anybody seeking an answer to one of the most important questions we can ask. Its author is a rare combination-a thoroughly respectable academic psychologist with an excyclopedi knowledge of the histories of both psychical research and parapsychology and extensive personal experience of mediumship, both mental and physical. This is an important book which succeeds both as a basic textbook for students of the afterlife and as a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read for everybody. ~ , Light
An extensive, authoritative and detailed survey of the best of the evidence supporting survival after death. Although long, it nevertheless remains very readable throughout. It will surely become a classic not only of parapsychology literature in general but also of survival literature in aprticular. professor Fontana is to be congratulated on this landmark study and I thoroughly recommend it to all who are really interested in a serious exploration of the subject. ~ , Universalist
This book is an admirable survey of the evidence for the afterlife, and is threfore a book whose time has come. It is a compulsory read for anyone whose interests have led them to take the "Network Review". For those who can sense the movement of ideological tectonic plates, this book represents the beginning of a seismic shift. It rehearses much that is already known, much of it for a long time, but it rehearses it clearly and powerfully. The narrow arrogant materialist hedonism of the 20th century may be about to give way to a humble agnostic reverence for the mystery of the dimensions of human experience. ~ Max Payne, Network Review
David Fontana's new book is of great importance. In it he displays an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the vast field of psychichal research and gives a carefully balanced account not of only past investigations but also of significant modern studies. I have no doubt this book will become a modern classic, providing perhaps the best road to our understanding of what a human being is. ~ Archie Roy, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy in Glasgow University, Former President of the Society for Psychical Research.
Scholarship, personal experience and high quality always show. This highly accessible, detailed and authoritative book will become a classic. After reading it and assessing the evidence, there can no longer be any doubt that there is life after death. David Fontana's book should be mandatory reading for all those involved in the care of the dying-and of course for the rest of us who know we will have to face it one day! ~ Dr Peter Fenwick, Neuropsychiatrist, University of London, and President of the Scientific and Medical Network
David Fontana's book on the afterlife will surely be the standard work for many years to come. Brilliant and comprehensive, his analysis is admirably balanced and his discussion informed both by his wide reading and extensive first-hand research. ~ David Lorimer, Vice-President of the Horizon Research Foundation
This is an important book. Interestingly and authoritatively written by a well-credentialed psychologist with thirty years active involvement in survival research, it provides a clear, balanced and up to date account of the very best evidence. A "must" read for anyone interested in a meaningful exploration of the nature of dying, death and an afterlife, as well as who we really are, when alive. ~ Professor William Braud, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Paol Altom, California
The book is indeed "comprehensive," as the subtitle indicates, and it is organized well enough that readers can easily skip to the chapters or sections that interest them rather than slogging through each chapter sequentially. ~ , Publishers Weekly
Whether death is the end of existence or a transition to another phase is the ultimate question for many so it's intriguing to have such a detailed and thoughtful review of the research and evidence available by such a respected author. Covering mediumship and channelling, spontaneous cases, hauntings, apparitions, Electronic Voice Phenomenon, near death experience and more, this book doesn't shy away from acknowledging the level of dispute that surrounds much of the evidence that we have for an afterlife. Its analysis of what survives death and reincarnation among many other features are particularly absorbing and there's every chance this will become a real classic text on the subject. Well worth every penny. ~ , Wave
Fontana's personal field of expertise is tranpersonal psychology, and, unlike many of his colleagues, he fels comfortable working with parapsychologists. Parapsychology has come up with the most amazing results, most of which are summarized in Is There An Afterlife? Over the course of his investigation, the author develops the main theories. He presents the most compelling cases, from the earliest twentieth century right up to the present.The most recent cases involve what he calls ITC research, which stands for instrumental Transcommunicastions. this fascinating technology is a way of communicating directly with entities that have passed through death's door. ~ , Dell
This book is not light reading. The style is easy enough on the eye, but Professor Fontana has been punctilious throughout in articulating every reported detail, circumstantial finding and corroborative evidence. This is absolutely necessary if books like this one are going to carry any weight in the argument for or against the survival of death. By the end of the book, it is clear that Professor Fontana has come up with evidence that simply cannot be talked away. To try to do so would be a childish defence against paradigm-challenging material which is found here in abundance. ~ Dr Andrew Powell, Royal College of Psychiatrists.
An extensive, authoritative and detailed survey of the best of the evidence supporting survival after death. Although long it remains very readable throughout. It will surely become a classic not only of parapsychology literature in general but also of survival literature in particular. Professor Fontana is to be congratulated on this landmark study and I thoroughly recommend it to all who are really interested in a serious exploration of the subject. ~ David Hodges, Radionics Journal
Every so often a book is published which is truly a milestone in building the case for survival, and David Fontana's Is There An Afterlife? is just such a book. ~ , Towards Wholeness
It is rare to come across a book that approaches this controversial topic in such a scholarly and comprehensive way... David Fontana's accessible style and lucid prose carry the reader effortlessly through a sizeable and authoritatative volume...It will doubtless become the standard work of reference for years to come, and I recommend it to anyone wishing to pursue the question of survival with an open mind. ~ , New Vision
It will surely become a classic not only of parapsychology literature in general but also of survival literature in particular. ~ Radionics, Scientific & Medical Network's,/i> Book of the Year 2006.
