At the Hour of Death: A New Look at Evidence for Life After Death

Collector's Library of the Unknown

by Erlendur Haraldsson, Karlis Osis

We can be certain that the body does not survive death. Once the heart stops circulating blood, the brain is no longer nourished and begins to decay. On the basis of medical evidence it would seem that, within a quarter of an hour, the personality is irreparably destroyed and the individual ceases to exist. But now there is mounting scientific evidence for a life after death. In At the Hour of Death, veteran psychical researchers Karlis Osis, Ph.D and Erlendur Haraldsson, Ph.D collated compelling evidence that suggests we, as conscious beings, do survive physical death. This book is the product of extensive interviews of over 1,000 doctors and nurses who have been present when cases of "post-mortem existence" have occurred. Extensive computer analyses of their observations have been made. The results are reported in this first truly scientific investigation of the experiences of the dying at the hour of death. What these doctors and nurses have witnessed cannot be explained away by medical, psychological, cultural, or other conditioning. Yet it may answer the fundamental question of human existence. "Finally, a book that probes death and dying with modern research techniques. Osis and Haraldsson present compelling evidence that the deathbed is the gateway to another existence. The visions of the dying appear to be not hallucinations but glimpses through the windows of eternity." -Alan Vaughan, editor of New Realities Magazine "A major contribution to the scientific study of the question of post-mortem existence. -Raymond A. Moody, M.D., author of Life After Life

Genres: Spirituality, Paranormal, Religion

264 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 1977

Reviews

[Joseph Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read “At the Hour of Death” with considerable interest, because I’m a devout theist who believes that this life is not all there is for humanity. The book I’m reviewing is written by authors who, admittedly, subscribe to beliefs that include the “survival” hypothesis. That is, they believe that the evidence accumulated by them concerning numerous reports from people who almost died or did, in fact, reach the end of their lives, does favor the survival thesis. This, of course, refers to the survival of the person’s “soul” or “spirit” such that the death of the body does not terminate the consciousness of the person.

There are monumental amounts of data, as well as quite in-depth analyses of the data, throughout this book. Near the end of the book, the authors seek to summarize the most salient implications for either the survival of consciousness after death or the converse, the termination of consciousness. From my perspective, the book is encouraging in that it appears to offer substantial, if not conclusive, evidence favorable to the survival hypothesis. Skeptics will, of course, undoubtedly seek to vitiate whatever arguments are made favorable to the survival hypothesis. Probably, very few people who read the book will have their outlook seriously modified. No conclusive evidence is given one way or the other, but the book’s thesis is certainly favorable to those who have belief in an afterlife.

I will conclude that the book is worth reading, whether by a skeptic (unbeliever) or by a believer in a post-life survival. At any rate, the discussions of thousands of case reports of people who had visions (hallucinations?) of other beings and transcendent realms of reality close to their deaths are, at the least, thought-provoking.

[Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time student of afterlife studies, most recently in grief and bereavement and care of the dying, I had long heard of this seminal work. Oddly enough, I located it in one of my favourite used bookstores here in Toronto.
The authors, both psychologists, provide the results of two surveys of patients at end of life, one cohort in the United States and the other in India. They then contrast the findings in these two groups with each other, and then with patients disclosing near death experiences. The evidence is compelling for continuing bonds, and you do not have to be a believer to appreciate the findings. I found it challenging at times to follow the lines of interpretation, but found the patient narratives intriguing. It can be dry at times, but for those interested in the subject matter, it is worth the effort.

[Andrea Neves António · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creio que todos nós já pensámos na morte, no seu mistério e significado.
Este livro revela o resultado do estudo feito apartir de inquéritos realizados a médicos e enfermeiros que tenham assistido pessoas antes da sua morte e tenham testemunhado as aparições ou visões que estás pessoas tenham vivido.
O estudo é feito nos EUA e posteriormente, para comparação, na Índia.
É interessante, principalmente na partilha de relatos sobre as visitas e visões, alterações de humor e, surpreendentemente, relatos de enganos celestes na troca da pessoa chamada!
Torna-se um pouco aborrecido nas comparações, dados estatísticos, confrontação de argumentos e hipóteses que, contudo, compreendo ser necessário para tornar sério este estudo.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was rather scientific but they did not draw many conclusions except that they decided there might be life after death. Probably. Most likely.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating

[Holly Gollnick Cotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book available on death-bed visions.

[Nikki ღ Navareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on this subject I have ever read. Definitely makes you feel better about a possible afterlife.