Walk Through the Dark

by Eva Piper

One day Eva Piper was an elementary school teacher, the mother of three, the beloved wife of a strong, protective husband.

The next day she stood at the bedside of a broken man who could do nothing but moan in agony and turn his head away from her.

Later she would learn that he had died and actually experienced heaven before being prayed back to life--a true miracle. Don Piper's testimony, told in the "New York Times" bestseller "90 Minutes in Heaven," would one day bring hope to thousands. But all that was in the future. Despite family and friends who kept vigil with her, Eva Piper found herself essentially alone. Walking in the dark. And she had always hated the dark.

Though it parallels that of her husband, Eva Piper's account is quite different from his. It takes readers not to heavenly places but through a very earthly maze of hospital corridors, insurance forms, tiring commutes from home to workplace and hospital, and lonely hours of waiting and worrying. This is the story of a woman learning, step by darkened step, to go places she never thought she could go and growing into a person she never thought she could be. Packed with hard-earned wisdom about what it means to be a caregiver, to open yourself to the care of others, and to rest in God's provision, this book" "provides a dependable source of light to help you walk through the dark.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2013

About the author

Eva Piper is a speaker and author with a unique insight into the trials of heartache and the triumph of overcoming. The wife of best-selling author Don Piper, Eva was the glue that held her broken husband and her family together. Don's story, recounted in the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Life and Death, is Eva's story too. A teacher of thirty-four years, she and Don now live in Pasadena, Texas.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Walk Through The Dark” by Eva Piper is the true story of her walk through the dark following her husband Don's severe car accident. It begins as she informed of his involvement in a accident while she is teaching her students. The story details all the surgeries, hospital stays, setbacks, injuries, and more that occur over the next years. Eva describes the day by day caretaking and gives much wisdom for caretakers and loved ones who are supporting a caretaker. At this point I had to consider my own walk through the dark as I lost a family member. Much of what Eva Piper was feeling did at times well up in me.
Eva must deal with all the decision making, which prior to the accident, was all left up to her husband Don. Eva did discuss in length how her faith and prayer life was strengthened by the events of the accident and having to take over their household and lives and keep everything together.
Since reading this compelling story, I will probably pick up Don's book now, to get the story from Don’s point of view.
I could tell she had some difficulty writing this story, but she did a wonderful job of explaining her thoughts and feelings with each step of the way.
Overall, the book was a quick, easy read as well as enjoyable.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank BookSneeze and Eva Piper for the opportunity to both read and review this story. “A Walk Through The Dark”, by Eva Piper is a wonderful read with a compelling story.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect companion to 90 Minutes in Heaven!

This book about the struggles of a caregiver was just what my heart needed.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Piper’s life was an ordinary one, until the day that darkness fell. While teaching at school, she received a call that her husband had been in an accident. Anything more was unknown. But rather than being filled with fear, she is overcome by the peace of God, and hears a voice inside her say, This will be difficult, but it’s going to be okay. Don has two broken legs and an arm. She explains, ” I believe God whispered to me to give me the perfect peace of which the Bible speaks and to prepare me for what was ahead.”

What lay ahead were months of agony for her husband as he recovered from his injuries caused by a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler; and a deeply emotionally trying time for Eva as she remained faithfully by his bedside throughout the process, and assumed the responsibilities her husband had always taken care of. Yet, through it all, she finds peace in God as she learns to put her faith in Him in the darkest of times.


This book was very inspirational for me, though hard to read at times. The raw and uncensored way that Eva describes her own feelings and the ups and downs that she and her husband, Don, went through, show that even “good Christians” don’t always know how to cope with hardships. Yet, still, God is always there for us, to guide us through the darkness.

Eva points out the importance of being there for your friends and loved ones as they go through difficulties, as well as the importance of allowing those friends and loved ones to care for you in your own hour of need.

This is a wonderful book for faith-building and getting you through the difficult times in life. As Eva concludes, “The darkness isn’t over. We face it at the most unexpected times. But we can be prepared. God has never left us to walk through the dark alone, and He won’t leave you either.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and BookSneeze® in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this review on my blog:EpicBookQuest.wordpress.com

[Karen Wodke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little did I know when I was reading Eva Piper’s book, A Walk Through The Dark, that a few short months later, I would be on a similar journey.
I really enjoyed her book. I had read her husband’s account of his horrific accident in his book 90 Minutes in Heaven. I often wondered while reading his story how his family dealt with their roles in his journey back to health. I learned so much from Eva’s transparent account of how she learned to trust in the Lord for his strength and guidance. She shares how she learned that people want to help. They need and want specific requests from the person in need, it is ok to be bold and make your needs known. Her journey was very inspiring and very helpful to me.
My husband was attacked by an antibiotic-resistant super-bug in the fall. He spent nine weeks in the hospital literally fighting for his life. Thank God, he is making good progress healing now, and I have used many of the coping skills I learned from Eva’s experience to help me along this difficult path.
This book is a good read. I appreciate that Eva Piper took the time to write her experience and the things she learned along the way. Her book reminds me of a scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the inspiring and miraculous story of Don, a man who died and spent 90 minutes in heaven. It’s told through the eyes of his wife Eva as she shared all the struggles and challenges the family faced, as well as the tremendous love and support.

My heart goes out to this family and all they endured and were brought through. Truly nothing short of miraculous.

I’m thankful for Eva having the courage to share their story. I’m also grateful for the lessons in this book and the insiders perspective and feelings.

The book is well-written but redundant in many places. It could have probably been half as many pages and just as good if not better. The redundancy is what was a real turn off for me.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Piper openly shares her struggles and lessons learned while caring for her husband after a horrendous traffic accident (Read 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper). The insights she shares while caring for her husband in and out of the hospital make this book a must read for everyone, because we ALL end up caring for someone or knowing someone is a situation where we need to learn to do more than say "I'll be praying for you", or "I'm thinking of you" or "Call me if I can help". She honestly gives ideas on HOW to help in practical ways because in a time of crisis any little thing someone does to help can be a blessing. She also shares how to accept that help, in big and small ways, to let that person be a blessing to you.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually read near-death experience books voraciously, but this one I only made it halfway through before quitting. First, it is not really a near-death account. It is an account from the wife's perspective as her husband was injured and had the experience. While I could see the value of reading this if you had been in that specific role or were going through it, I felt she complained a lot about her role as care taker and it got on my nerves.

[Bonnie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 90 Minutes in Heaven years ago. This book is written by Don Piper’s wife. It tells her side of the story and describes the many obstacles that she had to overcome when her husband was severely injured in a tragic accident. She also tells ways that people ministered to her and came to her assistance during those dark times so that the reader may implement those same methods when tragedy comes.

[Eileenjp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had previously red the book "90 Minutes in Heaven," by Don Piper. "A Walk Through the Dark," followed the same time line from an outside perspective. I am not sure if I would have gotten into this book as much if I had not read Don Piper's experience, but I found it fascinating to follow how this was from Eva's perspective knowing the whole story.

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva writes of her journey as she fights for her husband's health care while keeping her job and making arrangements for her children's care. You will learn what you can do to help others going through dark places in their lives and what you can do to prepare in the event of a tragedy in your own life.

[Ann Yarema · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[RC Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed reading this book. A wonderful perspective of the life of a caregiver.

[Bansley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eva's side of the story about her husband's tragic car accident and the decision she made that led to his months of excruciating, practically barbaric, rehabilitation.

There were a few viewpoints I could identify with as I was reading this book while my husband was in a month long hospital stay, but I did struggled with some of her decisions. I found that I had to remind myself that this was a memoire.

I honestly can't remember if I ever read her husband, Don Piper's, book but know I have read other "life after death" accounts.

[Deanna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVA PIPER ALWAYS DISLIKED THE DARK. LIFE WAS ABOUT TO THROW HER NORMAL WORLD INTO A VERY DEEP AND DARK PLACE. THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A YOUNG WOMAN'S STRUGGLE TO COPE WITH A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD, AND TO DO SO WITHOUT THE HELP OF HER LOVING HUSBAND, WHO DIED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT FOR 90 MINUTES (90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN )ONLY TO RETURN TO EARTH A VERY SICK AND BROKEN MAN. EVA FOUND BECOMING HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD ,TAKING CARE OF DON, TRYING TO WORK,CARING FOR THEIR THREE SMALL CHILDREN VERY OVERWHELMING. THE DARKNESS WAS CLOSING IN. EVA HAD SUPPORT OF THEIR CHURCH,FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT SHE FOUND IT HARD TO EXCEPT HELP. EVA WAS SCARED, FELT ALONE AND CONFUSED BUT SHE WAS A CHRISTIAN AND KNEW THAT GOD WOULD WALK HER THROUGH THE SITUATION SHE FOUND HERSELF IN. PRAYER WAS A BIG PART OF HER LIFE.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. MY SUGGESTION IS READ 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, BY DON PIPER, THEN A WALK THROUGH THE DARK BY HIS WIFE EVA PIPER. YOU WILL BE INSPIRED AND BLESSED HOW GOD CHANGED THEIR LIVES AND HOW THEY HAVE USED THEIR EXPERIENCES TO CHANGE OTHERS. WOW! VERY GOOD READ.

[Christy Jordan Wrenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been down memory lane while reading Eva's book. Our church was her mom and dad's church who prayed for their family as they went through these Dark Times. I will NEVER FORGET the day Don visited & spoke to church for the first time. When Don's book was published, I read it and was amazed how God worked in all your lives prior, during and after Don's horrible accident with that 18-wheeler.
Eva I commend you for enduring this terrible time in your families lives again to tell your story to us. You have always been an amazing friend, daughter, wife and mother; I commend you on your God Strength to get through all-in-one piece. You are my inspiration.

[Geema Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Don's testimony so I was very interested to see what A Walk Through the Dark: How My Husband's 90 Minutes in Heaven Deepened My Faith for a Lifetime was about. I was struck by Eva's honesty and her faith as she journeyed through what must have seemed like an overwhelming set of circumstances. Her honesty reveals her strength,struggles and her triumphs as God works through others to minister to her family and as He uses all the circumstances in this terrible accident to cement the faith of the Piper family. I learned a great deal about ministering to others by reading this and it is worth your time to read it.

[Richard Labombard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If nothing else, read Chapter 37—Because. Then read the book as written (without skipping Don's intro). Then when done, read that Chapter 37 again and again, and take it to heart.

I wish this book would have been available in 2011 for my wife to read, to share and comfort and guide the care-giving she had to shoulder when I experienced an encounter not unlike Don's. So this book should be on hand for each and every care-giver to come. But don't wait until the occasion arises. (See Eva's first "Because.")

I whole-heartedly give this book 5 stars, only because I can't give it 10. And if they let us rank on a scale up to 10, I'd still want to give it more.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don Piper, a man who died in a car accident, was found to be alive again some 90 minutes later. He recounts his story in the book (co-authored with C Murphey) "90 Minutes in Heaven". In this story, "A Walk Through the Dark" Eva Piper tells her experience of being Don's wife, a mother and school teacher through all this experience. Those from an evangelical Christian background will find more in the book than others but the story would speak to anyone and most especially those who are, or have been, carers for loved ones.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is very good, you might think about the timing and where you want to read it. The beginning of the book is a tearjerker and the lunch room at work was a bit awkward!!

This book is nice to pair with Don Piper's book - 90 Minutes in Heaven. This is his wife's side of the story.

If you have been or will be a caregiver for another person with medical issues, there are lessons to be learned and she clearly outlines those throughout the book.

A thoughtful book that I will remember for a long time.

[Sharlotte Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva's book is one that captures from the very beginning. She speaks candidly and honestly of her feelings about the accident and rehabilitation of her husband, Don Piper. If you've read his book, 90 Minutes in Heaven, her side of the story is a must read. Don states that she is the hero of his story, something that she will deny. But after you follow along with her journey, she will become a hero to you as well. Her Christian faith is strengthened and deepened as she learns to make hard decisions and to lean solely on the Lord.

[Sharon K. Woolsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Walk Through the Dark

A powerful story of overcoming a tragedy of loss of control and gaining a new kind of dependence on God. A horrific accident







A major vehicle accident alters a family forever. The honest writing of the author is inspiring. They recovery of Don, her husband, is long and arduous. The dependence on honest prayer, church actions of love, God's unfailing love sustains them. 90 Minutes in Heaven resulted from Don's death at the scene, though revived the encounter with Jesus would linger.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Piper is living an amazing life and has written this book to help those who will pass through the dark times, as she has. Not all of the Christian life is on the light side and after going through the trials of nursing her husband over an extended hospital stay, she gives helpful advice for those who would like to help and minister to those in this type of situation. She is so transparent and honest. This book is raw and I would recommend it to anyone who knows that life does mean time in the valleys.

[Lissa Twitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Mr Piper's book 90 Minutes in Heaven so I knew the story of the horrible injuries he suffered. Eva's book goes so much further. She gives wonderful advice on visiting long term patients, as well as caring for the caregiver. I can't imagine going through that level of stress but Eva impressed that God did it through her. This was such a readable book. I read straight through it to the detriment of my sleep. Incredible read.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by Pastor Don Pipers wife. He was in an accident and pronounce dead went to heaven and came back to earth. Her book is about that 90 minutes in Heaven deepened her faith for a lifetime. She tells her story as that of being a caregiver. After he recovered he did not go back as a pastor but does speaking engagements about this experience. She praises God and says he is the source of all comfort. He comforts us so that we may comfort others.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Eve Piper and her family. Things were going great until one day Eve Piper received a phone call at work that her husband was involved in a head on collision with a truck driven by an inexperienced person. She describes the dark days that she and her family went through while trying to keep everything running like possible. Later she would learn that her husband had died and experienced heaven and came back to life. A true miracle and a inspirational book.

[Travis Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favourite book in the whole wide world.
I've read 90 Minutes in Heaven and watched the movie where Don is played by Hayden Christensen.. The book was alright - The movie was a hack job..
This book I found the author repeating the same life experiences or what so and so thought over and over again throughout the book.
After reading it the book could've been 100 pages; maybe a bit less at the max.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn on the rating because the book is just so heavy, but we need good books on the topics of suffering and God's provision. Contains great lessons on how to be a caregiver and how to show compassion as well as serve those in caregiving roles, whether short-term or long-term (as in the author's case).

[Patricia C Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

A beautiful affirmation of God's presence and love. He is our faithful provider. God never leaves us alone. He is our inexhaustible source of strength and confidence. He gives us hope and passes beyond comprehension. O, how excellent is His name. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

[Shawn Mecham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

It was good to learn of Eva's viewpoint and vantage point as she watched during and after her husband's horrific accident. She had different experiences and learned her own lessons as they went through this very dark period in their lives. She doesn't actually say too much about his spiritual experience: it is definitely her own story.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those caretakers who think they're the only ones going through this journey. Many lessons learned including what to say/do when others are going through a long illness. Highly recommend it.