P.M.H. Atwater 'died' three times in 1977. Since then she has devoted her life to understanding the near-death experience, and has spoken to thousands of survivors. What she has learned will startle you, perhaps disturb you, and just might change your life. This is the most in-depth and comprehensive look at the near-death phenomenon ever published, including its after effects and implications. Atwater challenges the stereotype of the tunnel of light, and presents provocative evidence of many different types of experience, including the hell-like as well as the transcendent.

She also describes the experiences of people who were dead for several days and then revived, and those who attempted suicide. 'This book provides a comprehensive overview of near-death research, skilfully combining science, religion, metaphysics, and her own research, synthesising the entire field. She discusses the practical aspects of having a near-death experience and makes the point that it can involve a state of spiritual emergency and crisis. She gives suggestions on how to help survivors, speaking as one who has had the experience, a fascinating and little known area of the phenomenon that will provoke intense debate and controversy.'- From the introduction by Melvin Morse, MD, author of 'Closer to the Light' and ' Transformed by the Light.'.