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Life Chapters: Extraordinary Afterlives of People You Never Heard of
Born out of a love that knows no boundaries between dimensions, the second book in the Death Walker series, a project between a father and his deceased son, has Galen reporting from the other side about how personality and beliefs influence one's entrance into this other dimension.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
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January 20, 2024
Galen Stoller died in an auto accident in 2007 at the age of sixteen. Soon after, he established contact with his father from the other side. Their communications resulted in Galen’s first book about his afterlife experience called, My Life After Life.
CONTINUING GALEN STOLLER’S ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE AFTER LIFE
Life Chapters continues the description of the afterlife dimension as experienced by Galen Stoller. Like the first book, the narrative is readable and lucid. Each chapter is in two parts. The first is Galen’s account of his afterlife. In this book, he focuses on other souls he has come across, telling their stories and the insights he has taken from them. the second part is his father’s thoughts on what Galen has dictated to him.
Most of the book is the accounts of thirteen individuals or groups as Galen encountered them. The stories of each convey insights about the reality of life in the physical world and how it relates to the afterlife. What I take from these stories is that life continues after death without judgment but with consequence. Also, that our beliefs in our physical lives color our perceptions of the afterlife dimension. This invariably changes, as we come to accept the reality of our new (renewed?) environment. I have found this idea echoed in other books on life after death, as well as on near death experiences.
Among the stories Galen relates are:
Charles Miller, who was a sailor in his physical life, totally committed to his vocation to the exclusion of his family. He has regrets about this, but they subside with his realization and remorse for his emotional and physical absence.
Monica Auten spends her time after death simply staring at a willow tree. Her only companions are a parrot and a cat. Galen does engage with her, and she tells him the animals were given to her for comfort upon her arrival. She had been abused and tortured on Earth by a psychopath. Healing is slow for her, but is happening, though she is concerned about getting word to her family on Earth that she is OK. A teacher told Galen that many others were working to get that message to her family.
Mr. Montpelier was rich on Earth and obsessed with money. When he lost it all (apparently in the 1929 crash), he killed himself. He spent time in “suicide limbo,” only coming out when he realized the error in physical life. Now he is becoming a teacher to help others on Earth not identify with money.
There is an interesting section where Galen gives his understanding of what he calls, “the Travelers.” These are entities that feed off human (and presumably nonhuman) weakness. They are the “hungry ghosts” of Buddhism, and the “elementals” of Rudolph Steiner.
Galen also talks about animal spirits in the afterlife dimension. He says they are sentient, connecting with humans if needed. Sometimes, though, more advanced spirits will come to souls in the form of familiar animals or pets, as happened to him.
SOUL AGREEMENTS, TEACHERS, AND NAMES
Life Chapters being Galen’s second book is meant to be part of a “Death Walker” series. The series name sounds like fiction but also like it came from the mind of a sixteen year-old. In one stroke, it adds credence and doubt to the books’ premise.
Both books stress the idea of “agreement,” or “soul contract.” They aver that souls have some kind of pact with other souls concerning their time and experiences on Earth. This even carries over into the afterlife. Galen’s book project with his father, for example, is part of his agreement. I have not seen this exact idea in other afterlife books, but it is in keeping with the idea of purpose in earthly life.
Also the idea of “teachers” and classrooms are prevalent in both of Galen’s books. It echoes the same in other afterlife and NDE books, being almost a convention for such. That physical life is intended for a soul’s development, however, is a common idea in religion and folklore.
In Galen’s accounts, it seems souls hang onto their Earth names from their last incarnation. There is a logic to that (i.e., most recent memories), with the inference that this practice dissipates over time. And it seems that time does pass in the afterlife, although it is not measured and barely acknowledged.
RESERVATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS, AND VERIFIABLE FACTS
Life Chapters is well-written, readable, comforting in its premise, and consistent within its context. It is largely in agreement with other books on the subject. Still, there are aspects to consider as you read.
One is Galen’s narrative voice. In the first book (My Life After Life) he sounded like a teenager, uncertain of the environment he has found himself in. In this book, his voice is a lot more mature and confident. Maybe he has matured so much in his time on the other side, and maybe his father’s voice is coming through in translation.
It is also significant that Galen’s father, Dr. K. Paul Stoller, was heavily involved in the paranormal before Galan’s death. Of course, that is probably why he was able to make contact with his son and be a channel for the books. But it can only cast some doubt on how much of the narrative comes from Dr. Stoller, consciously or not.
While the premise of Life Chapters is intriguing, its “stories teaching lessons” aspect seems too pat. The afterlife characters and their stories feel one-dimensional, as if they are there only to make a point, rather than being accounts of full and nuanced humans (and aliens) who have crossed over from a complex life. Maybe that’s the way the afterlife is. I have noted this feeling in other books on the subject.
I am not suggesting, however, that Dr. Stoller’s story of his son’s afterlife experience is fiction. The basic facts of Galen Stoller’s death--that it did happen when and in the manner reported in his books--is publicly available via the Internet. This includes Galen’s obituary, and info on the lawsuit brought by Galen’s parents against Amtrak and later against the Board of County Commissioners for San Miguel County. It’s not a lot, but it is facts consistent with the story presented in the books.
WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN LIFE--NOW AND AFTER
Despite the considerations I have expressed above, I have enjoyed reading the Galen Stoller books. Both of them present a vision of the afterlife that I hope is true. Indeed, I think they support the preponderance of anecdotal and experiential evidence about the nature of the dimension we find after death. Consequently, the books say something about the perspective we can have in this physical life with some assurance as to our ultimate destination.
I recommend Life Chapters for insight to achieve that assurance. As Galen says: …it is the ability to be open and willing to participate in life that brings individuals to a place of expanded possibilities….
That seems a good place to end up.
CONTINUING GALEN STOLLER’S ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE AFTER LIFE
Life Chapters continues the description of the afterlife dimension as experienced by Galen Stoller. Like the first book, the narrative is readable and lucid. Each chapter is in two parts. The first is Galen’s account of his afterlife. In this book, he focuses on other souls he has come across, telling their stories and the insights he has taken from them. the second part is his father’s thoughts on what Galen has dictated to him.
Most of the book is the accounts of thirteen individuals or groups as Galen encountered them. The stories of each convey insights about the reality of life in the physical world and how it relates to the afterlife. What I take from these stories is that life continues after death without judgment but with consequence. Also, that our beliefs in our physical lives color our perceptions of the afterlife dimension. This invariably changes, as we come to accept the reality of our new (renewed?) environment. I have found this idea echoed in other books on life after death, as well as on near death experiences.
Among the stories Galen relates are:
Charles Miller, who was a sailor in his physical life, totally committed to his vocation to the exclusion of his family. He has regrets about this, but they subside with his realization and remorse for his emotional and physical absence.
Monica Auten spends her time after death simply staring at a willow tree. Her only companions are a parrot and a cat. Galen does engage with her, and she tells him the animals were given to her for comfort upon her arrival. She had been abused and tortured on Earth by a psychopath. Healing is slow for her, but is happening, though she is concerned about getting word to her family on Earth that she is OK. A teacher told Galen that many others were working to get that message to her family.
Mr. Montpelier was rich on Earth and obsessed with money. When he lost it all (apparently in the 1929 crash), he killed himself. He spent time in “suicide limbo,” only coming out when he realized the error in physical life. Now he is becoming a teacher to help others on Earth not identify with money.
There is an interesting section where Galen gives his understanding of what he calls, “the Travelers.” These are entities that feed off human (and presumably nonhuman) weakness. They are the “hungry ghosts” of Buddhism, and the “elementals” of Rudolph Steiner.
Galen also talks about animal spirits in the afterlife dimension. He says they are sentient, connecting with humans if needed. Sometimes, though, more advanced spirits will come to souls in the form of familiar animals or pets, as happened to him.
SOUL AGREEMENTS, TEACHERS, AND NAMES
Life Chapters being Galen’s second book is meant to be part of a “Death Walker” series. The series name sounds like fiction but also like it came from the mind of a sixteen year-old. In one stroke, it adds credence and doubt to the books’ premise.
Both books stress the idea of “agreement,” or “soul contract.” They aver that souls have some kind of pact with other souls concerning their time and experiences on Earth. This even carries over into the afterlife. Galen’s book project with his father, for example, is part of his agreement. I have not seen this exact idea in other afterlife books, but it is in keeping with the idea of purpose in earthly life.
Also the idea of “teachers” and classrooms are prevalent in both of Galen’s books. It echoes the same in other afterlife and NDE books, being almost a convention for such. That physical life is intended for a soul’s development, however, is a common idea in religion and folklore.
In Galen’s accounts, it seems souls hang onto their Earth names from their last incarnation. There is a logic to that (i.e., most recent memories), with the inference that this practice dissipates over time. And it seems that time does pass in the afterlife, although it is not measured and barely acknowledged.
RESERVATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS, AND VERIFIABLE FACTS
Life Chapters is well-written, readable, comforting in its premise, and consistent within its context. It is largely in agreement with other books on the subject. Still, there are aspects to consider as you read.
One is Galen’s narrative voice. In the first book (My Life After Life) he sounded like a teenager, uncertain of the environment he has found himself in. In this book, his voice is a lot more mature and confident. Maybe he has matured so much in his time on the other side, and maybe his father’s voice is coming through in translation.
It is also significant that Galen’s father, Dr. K. Paul Stoller, was heavily involved in the paranormal before Galan’s death. Of course, that is probably why he was able to make contact with his son and be a channel for the books. But it can only cast some doubt on how much of the narrative comes from Dr. Stoller, consciously or not.
While the premise of Life Chapters is intriguing, its “stories teaching lessons” aspect seems too pat. The afterlife characters and their stories feel one-dimensional, as if they are there only to make a point, rather than being accounts of full and nuanced humans (and aliens) who have crossed over from a complex life. Maybe that’s the way the afterlife is. I have noted this feeling in other books on the subject.
I am not suggesting, however, that Dr. Stoller’s story of his son’s afterlife experience is fiction. The basic facts of Galen Stoller’s death--that it did happen when and in the manner reported in his books--is publicly available via the Internet. This includes Galen’s obituary, and info on the lawsuit brought by Galen’s parents against Amtrak and later against the Board of County Commissioners for San Miguel County. It’s not a lot, but it is facts consistent with the story presented in the books.
WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN LIFE--NOW AND AFTER
Despite the considerations I have expressed above, I have enjoyed reading the Galen Stoller books. Both of them present a vision of the afterlife that I hope is true. Indeed, I think they support the preponderance of anecdotal and experiential evidence about the nature of the dimension we find after death. Consequently, the books say something about the perspective we can have in this physical life with some assurance as to our ultimate destination.
I recommend Life Chapters for insight to achieve that assurance. As Galen says: …it is the ability to be open and willing to participate in life that brings individuals to a place of expanded possibilities….
That seems a good place to end up.
December 28, 2020
I have read this with great interest. My star rating is one less than five. I am not sure why. Well maybe it was because I did not quite cotton to the format which seems rather short on Galen and somewhat more hospitable to his Dad. And maybe it was that the first book was so good. I must assume that Galen intends to do many Death Walker books. If this is so I would recommend more than short notes on individuals and somewhat uneven parental commentary. The gold in Galen's offering is an anecdotal exploration of a life we have no access to beyond the circle of known NDEs. I hope the future will be a bit more forthcoming. This approach is uncommon and badly needed.
November 16, 2019
Excellent book. Enlightening description of the afterlife.
This book confirmed my own experiences with loved ones who communicated with me after they passed, and confirmed the validity of those communications. I give it 5 stars.
This book confirmed my own experiences with loved ones who communicated with me after they passed, and confirmed the validity of those communications. I give it 5 stars.
September 3, 2020
Excellent Help to understand the Broader Process and Purpose of Life
Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand in more depth who we are and how our lives and afterlives interplay and impact ourselves and others in our cycle of earthly incarnations and beyond.
Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand in more depth who we are and how our lives and afterlives interplay and impact ourselves and others in our cycle of earthly incarnations and beyond.
December 10, 2023
Loved it! But not as much as the first one.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews