Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side

by James Van Praagh

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Perhaps the human fascination with the supernatural stems from the fact that most of us, at some point in our lives, have experienced something we couldn't quite explain. From a very young age James Van Praagh was aware of a dimension that most of us cannot see, and he has dedicated his life to explaining it to the rest of us. Ghosts Among Us takes us on an incredible journey into the spirit world that brings to light one of our greatest mysteries—what happens to us after we die? Van Praagh, the New York Times bestselling author and co-executive producer of the CBS series The Ghost Whisperer , shares his knowledge and life experience about ghosts, a subject that can seem to many of us both bizarre and terrifying. But when the world beyond is explained fully by an experienced guide, dismissal and apprehension can be turned into knowledge and inspiration. With incredible true ghost stories and surprising details about how ghosts actively participate in our lives, Van Praagh challenges us to question our perceptions and shows us how we can live more fully through understanding the world of spirits. Including eerily accurate readings, the author's development as a medium, and detailed how-to information, Ghosts Among Us is an all-encompassing guide to the supernatural.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Spirituality, Ghosts, New Age, Ghost Stories, Metaphysics

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

His very natural, easy-going style would lead you to believe that James Van Praagh is chatting with a friend on the telephone, not communicating messages from the grave. James is a survival evidence medium, meaning that he is able to bridge the gap between two planes of existence, that of the living and that of the dead, by providing evidential proof of life after death via detailed messages. "I'm clairsentient," he explains, "which simply means clear feeling. I feel the emotions and personalities of the deceased. I am also clairvoyant," he adds, clarifying that, "the first is feeling, the second is seeing, very much like Whoopi Goldberg in the movie, Ghost." The true essence of the messages are the feelings behind the words. James is an expert on this subject, since he has been in touch with those feelings most of his adult life. "The spirits communicate by their emotions. No words exist in the English language, or any other for that matter, which can describe the intense sensations."

Personality traits come in as well. If a person was talkative while alive, he will come through with plenty to say. James also relays physical traits and death conditions as evidence. "If I convey recognizable evidence along with even a fraction of the loving energy behind the message, I consider the reading successful."

James' public popularity began during his appearances on the NBC talk show The Other Side. The show concentrated on paranormal issues, and James became the favorite guest and resident expert on the subject of life after death. Even Howard Rosenberg, the Los Angeles Times distinguished television critic, dubbed James "spectacular".

Through the years his message of hope has touched a great many more people due to his television appearances on such shows as Oprah, Larry King Live, Dr. Phil, A&E Biography, Maury Povich, 20/20, and 48 Hours. His unique paranormal experiences during the past twenty-five years have seen him author best-selling books, create meditation programs and development videos, teach mediumship classes, conduct seminars to sold-out audiences, and produce successful television projects.

Reviews

[Jeph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeptics need not apply.

Ghosts Among Us was the first book in a very long time that I was sorry to see end. James Van Praagh is a medium responsible for producing such well-known shows as Ghost Whisperer. His book, Ghosts Among Us explains his understanding of spirits and the spirit world that surrounds us. He discusses a wide variety of topics ranging from what ghosts are to the afterlife, the chakra system and even methods for protection from evil energy and making contact should you choose to continue the journey after this book.

One of the strengths of this book are the experiences that Van Praagh interlaces into his lectures. The majority of his book are encounters, experiences and sessions. His first-person experiences serve as breaks from the information and keep the book moving at a decent pace as well as good conversion tools for any skeptics that give this book a try.

If you've lost a loved one, have experienced the paranormal or are just curious about the unseen worlds or the afterlife, please do yourself a favor and give this book a try.

[Janene · Rating 3 out of 5]

People who know me find it impossible that I hadn't heard about James Van Praagh prior to picking up this book. So, I read the book without any preconceived notions or opinions about him.

Does he *really* recall paranormal events..in detail..that happened when he was just 2 years old? I found myself rolling my eyes many times (I am a very firm believer in the afterlife & have had experiences as far back as I can remember. THREE years of age. lol). Much of what I read I felt was really over the top, but I can't judge another man's experiences based on my own.

Overall...held my attention & gave me things to think about. Quick read. Go ahead & read it. :)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommend to me by a good friend. As I am recovering from an illness she thought this would be a good idea to protect myself from negitive energy. I had never read anything by James and really only knew his name. After reading this, I have a feeling I'll be looking for other books he's wrote to add to my library, including this one.

One of the best things about this book is the positive protection and visualizations that he recommends.
I have done a few "ghost tours" in the past and never thought about what might be out there ready to attach its self to my energy or even follow me home. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about ghost hunting or opening themselves up to the spirit world.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting ideas so I am glad I read it again. I need to try the meditations.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say this book has really surprised me and it was way better than I had expected! As soon as I had started reading I was hooked. Because it was just SO interesting! The author had so many stories to tell about his personal encounters with spirits and ghosts (and the majority of those were not scary - the purpose of this book is NOT to scare you but to educate you, to open your mind, to expand your consciousness to a higher level - and most important of all he does not want you to fear death) to share.

The most shocking thing is how often this book made me cry! I mean I was truly crying, the kind where you have to get up from your chair and go blow the nose. And then I had to do it again and again and again! The things he was saying in here was just so touching. Like one of the things he stated was that you get your pets back! That they are waiting for you on the other side. Your family too...

That is if they didn't get stuck. Some ghosts get stuck here on earth if they have issues. Things like anger, fear, unfinished business... One story in particular caught my attention: a woman had stayed to haunt a house because she wouldn't leave without her cats! And she didn't know where they were. And then the ghostly husband arrived with the ghostly cats around his feet so then she left. There are countless stories in here just like that, including a few on famous Hollywood movie stars who are ghosts! And he has talked to them too.

There are chapters on how to protect yourself from spirits that can latch themselves to you and how to practice mindfulness.

This book also touches on synchronicity as the author believes nothing happens by accident. Thing happen when they are meant to happen but you are also in control of your life if you are brave enough to do so and not to do what others think you should do. You can go after your dreams and manifest them. That is in here as well. That might sound odd - going after your dreams - in a ghost book. But realize the author has had thousands of conversations with ghosts and many regret not doing the things they had wanted to when alive. They hadn't had enough courage to go out and do it.

Of course there is a chapter in here on how to know if your house is haunted!

And how to contact your spirit guides.

This book is not only entertaining but a very smooth, fascinating read. The pages just flew by as I read this one. All in all I am glad I read this. It actually gives one a very positive idea of the afterlife and even says you can manifest the kind of afterlife that YOU want... Life here is about learning things, lessons, to raise the consciousness and to evolve higher, to a higher frequency. There are things in here to take to heart if you care about raising your consciousness.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little known fact about me...I have always feared death, especially since having kids, I have an irrational fear that I will die while they are little and not be able to see them grow up. This book has reminded me, in an religously unbiased way, that God is in control and I will live exactly how long he wants me to. This book has eased my mind phenominally and answered questions for me that religon never could and at the same time strengthens my belief in religon and God. A tall order for someone who has had such major questions about faith throughout my lifetime!

[Julie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing in many ways.

Here's a list of what this book did to me.

1. It opened my consciousness to the spiritual being that I am. Here is where I found out about the quote I wanted placed under my name in my college yearbook. :)
2. It changed my view on life, death and the afterlife.
3. It increased my faith in God, and made me closer to Him and His angels. :)
4. It changed my perspective about ghosts/souls/spirits.
5. It taught me how to pray again.

The book came to my life in the right time. Thanks to James van Praagh! :)

[Neil Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

James sorted out my paranormal sensitivity. I now can use my gifts for the benefit of society. I ain't afraid of no ghosts.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little memoir of being a medium.

Much the same as others of the genre, but James Van Praagh has a comfortable and entertaining writing style.

Good way to fill in a quiet afternoon.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a lot of respect for James Van Praagh. His other books offer wonderful meditations, insight into the paranormal and postive messages of love and hope. But this book just grated on me. First of all he tells you that ghosts aren't his expertise. He sees them, yes, but they give him the heebie-jeebies. As a medium, he's more into spirits that have "passed over" whereas ghosts tend to be 'earthbound'--stuck here due to some kind of negative energy field-- and boy did he ever have some creepy stories to tell about that! He constantly referred to his television show The Ghost Whisperer. Get it? It's not the Horse Whisperer or the Dog Whisperer.. . Anyway, I've never seen the show, but I felt this book was written soley for the purpose of promoting his show, and I felt just a little used.

If you're into stories of the paranormal (which I am) and enjoy his show (which I don't), you may like this book. In the future I hope he sticks to the thing he's good at-- spreading positive energy.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From an e-mail to a friend:
I picked up a book at the library today called Ghosts Among Us by James "I'm In Your Living Room!" Van Praagh.

For some reason, he advises the Dear Reader to consider such mediation tricks as The Cloak of Invisibility and the Rays of Pink Light.

Because, of course, some ghosts are bad. Very bad. And they are easily dissuaded by you chanting, "I'm enveloped in pink light!" to yourself whilst the walls drip blood, the lights flicker.

Keep in mind that J.V.P. may very well be in your living room at any given moment; he's just sporting his Invisible Cloak and living on your dwindling supplies of macaroni.

***

Reading of JVP's near death experience was kind of a letdown. I mean, he got food poisoning from unwashed lettuce on a sandwich from the mall (there's a surprise) and then caught a glimpse of the hereafter?! Come ON!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read books similar to this before, but it's been a long time.

Thought this was fascinating. I don't necessarily believe everything in this book, but I don't necessarily DISBELIEVE it either.

This is an excellent read for anyone with an open mind looking to learn more about the other side.

[Juliana Morgensten · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro é meio de estudo com auto-ajuda e um pouco autobiográfico também porque, em muitos momentos, o próprio James discorre sua história pessoal, profissional e mediúnica sem crença alguma porque, como sabemos, a mediunidade é inerente ao ser humano e é possível de ser desenvolvida de diversas maneiras.

Sendo assim, Espíritos Entre Nós possui 11 capítulos ao todo e inicia com Infância Cheia de Espíritos e é onde existe um relato do autor comentando a sua infância misturada com a sua vivência no mundo físico com suas ligações com os espíritos já desencarnados. Depois passa para Deixando o Corpo, Curso Básico Sobre Espíritos, Mortos e Vivos, O Mundo dos Espíritos, Tudo É Energia, Como Os Espíritos Se Comunicam, Alguns Viram Assombração?, Para Fazer Contato, Proteção e Uma Vida Iluminada.

Além de contar as suas questões, ao longo de toda narrativa, James também vai relatando histórias onde esteve presente para ajudar e/ou estudar e de pessoas que lhe contaram as mais diversas situações. E é um relato mais impressionante e instigante que o outro, Um exemplo é de um casal que recém teve um bebê e, do nada, começaram muitos barulhos dentro da casa e, principalmente, em um cômodo em específico e depois foi entendido que era apenas um espírito amigo tentando proteger a criança de uma situação grave que veria logo. Outro forte relato é do próprio James quando estava estudando ainda jovem em uma espécie de mosteiro. Por serem católicos e nos tempos antigos, espíritos e mediunidade ainda eram considerados um grande tabu e James, por ter uma forte sensibilidade desde sempre, via e ouvia situações tristes e desesperadoras por lá.

No livro, o autor vai dando dicas de como proceder nas principais questões espirtuais, a escala e quem são os guias e protetores, as comunicações dos espíritos em diversas maneiras como através de fotografias, estáticas ou tradicionalmente e, hoje em dia, já bem conhecida e o ser esponja no cotidiano e quando começa a trabalhar de alguma forma para a Espiritualidade.

O único ponto que fiquei meio assim e pode dar gatilho em muitas pessoas é que ela vai dando orientações de como agir caso se queira entrar em contato com os espíritos desencarnados como o tabuleiro ouija ou se quiser entrar para a profissão de caça fantasmas, que hoje, existem bastante vídeos sobre no Youtube. Entendi a intenção, porém, do jeito colocado pareceu querer banalizar uma questão, que se não levada a sério, o indivíduo pode ter vários problemas reais. E só uma observação porque adorei o livro como um todo, aprendi horrores e a obra é espiritualista, então né!?

O texto é de fácil entendimento e a leitura é densa e truncada em muitos momentos por causa das reflexões, aprendizados e entendimentos. É um ótimo livro complemento de estudo ou de lazer. Se tiver discernimento, também é uma obra muito boa para quem quiser começar a conhecer sobre mediunidade e Espiritualidade.

http://hidratarvicia.com.br/2022/07/2...

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have yet to finish this, I made it about 3/4ths of the way. At first I was very impressed, having not known much about the author. It is, after all, a beautiful message to want to believe in. But I think that was my problem, it seemed too good to be true. Not saying that it is or isn't but simply that it is hard for me to swollow. So I looked up the author and was severely dissapointed in what I found and am under the impression that he is a fraud. I leave that up to the other readers to find the information for themselves. It won't be hard to find, there are several tapes of secret recordings of his breaks durring readings.

Aside from my research the other thing I had a hard time with in this book was the fact that he constantly contradicts himself. For example, at one point in the book he says that when we die we are then given the full knowledge of our lifetimes to judge ourselves and if we completed what we came to learn. Later he says that "There are no instant, all-knowing miracles or revelations when we die." Um...? He does it some more when he describes the transitional places that we encounter when we die, which is different when he explains what happens when we die. Seemingly the same subject has two different answers.

Again maybe I'm wrong and that's fine, maybe one day I'll find a source that doesn't contradict themselves every few chapters. Like I said though, it really is a wonderful message and this book would be great for anyone that has recently lost a loved on or is fearful of death. If nothing else this book would be a light fluffer to get them started in a search for more learning material.

[Jennifer Foulks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok. Let’s just do this. I, for whatever reason, was expecting a book about hauntings. This is most definitely not a book about hauntings. This guy is a medium who produces The Ghost Whisperer. I found it to be a bunch of spiritual gobbledygook, but I’m a skeptic. It really got me when he said Abraham Lincoln came to him IN HIS BEDROOM, and he met the ghost of Lucille Ball. Perhaps this is all true, but it felt an awful lot like a super long ad for the TV show. Like, he mentions all the shows he’s done A LOT. I could be wrong, he could be right. I don’t think so, though. ⭐️ #jamesvanpraagh #bookstagram #book #books #bookshelf #bookclub #bookworm #bookish #bookaholic #bookphotography #booking #bookaddict #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #booklovers #booklove #igreads #instabook #instabooks

[Elana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and enjoyable read (if you are interested in this sort of thing, of course). It's not so much whether I believe everything he has to say about the after-life -- it's more that I like to see a view of life from a perspective that is so unique. I don't doubt Van Praagh's abilities (my own life experience makes this possible for me). Also, personally, I believe life continues. It does make me think -- just as each of us percieve this life in our own particular way, so each of us will see the after-life from our own perspectives.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly I enjoyed the last part of this book more than anything else. I don't doubt that he had/has these experiences....which in and of itself is pretty amazing. But it all seemed SO stereotypical. The blonde haired, blue eyed beautiful angels, the healing spirits dressed as doctors, and meeting our relatives on the other side.....it was a little much. But I REALLY did enjoy the parts about being Mindful, positive thoughts and negative thoughts and living an enlightened life. Those parts of the book I will remember and put some things into practice in my own life.

[Lenoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was facinating. I suppose you can read it two ways though. You can think he is full of S*@%. If that's the case you probably won't enjoy this book at all. The other option is to suspend skepticism and just go with it. Even if you cannot embrace the concept of someone who "sees dead people" there are a lot of interesting things about postive and negative energy among the living and how we can physically and emotionally affect eachother with the energy we put out there. I waivered between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. I probably would have liked to give it 3 1/2 stars.

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a well-known medium as well as having been the co-producer of the TV series "The Ghost Whisperer" which I loved. In this book he deals with the issue of ghosts and the afterlife. I've always been fascinated by this subject, so it was a great book for me. Also very convincing if you're "on the shelf" about this subject...or you choose to say "that's nice" and forget about it. Either way, it's a very enjoyable book!

ADDED ON 09/28/15: Read it again and enjoyed it even more.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

i usually love this mans writing having had an amazing time at one of his workshops back when. I have no trouble believing in beings in a different dimension but I think James is doing a disservice by scaring people with "evil" ghosts and feeding that belief.
There is some really good stuff in the book but James sounds like he's gotten cranky.

[Margarida · Rating 4 out of 5]

O autor foi o consultor sobre mediunidade para a série de televisão "Contacto" (no original "The Ghost Whisperer") e esta obra esclarece o leitor sobre a presença de espíritos na nossa realidade, os planos energéticos em que eles existem, e que devemos encarar a vida e os entes queridos que já partiram com amor e compaixão.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book entirely changed my thoughts and beliefs on life after death. So much so, that I hammy mother, husband and both grown kids read it. Ultimately it is an affirmation that life goes on and is not the end after all. Highly recommended.

[Letitia Todd Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit to being a skeptic, but many of these stories seem too Hallmark-level corny to be believable. Moreover, I’ve sat for two medium readings (one by the well-respected George Anderson), and neither provided the level of detail and specificity that Van Praagh claims to achieve.

[Dawn Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye opening... highly recommend!!!

[D.G. Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medium James Van Praagh first invites us into glimpses of his life by sharing his young life and his first encounters with other worldly spirits; he thought his calling was to the priesthood, his later realization was that's not where he belonged, and his journey through writing, moving to Los Angeles, connections and seances, were the beginnings of Praagh's becoming a famous medium.

After the introduction to Praagh's spiritual life, and sharing his first sightings of ghosts, he shares stories of people who've experienced NDE (near death experience) and wishes to enlighten us about both, the complexities and simplicity of the ghostly side of life.

Praagh informs us that there is no such thing as death, but only transition, it is only the end of the physical body. He tells us there is no pain when someone dies, nobody ever dies alone, for as we pass out of our bodies, our deceased loved ones are their to greet us. Praagh tells us that those who experienced near death situations all concur with similar experiences told by those who've 'come back'.

Most observed themselves floating out of their bodies and watching from above what was going on, feelings of overwhelming peace, moving toward a tunnel with a light ahead, being greeted by deceased loved ones, an encounter with an angel or being of light, began experiencing their life review. Some went reaching the borderline where you can't cross over, only to be sent back into their body with great reluctance, and regrets of not realizing the truth about life while they were alive, realizing the lessons failed to learn on earth. When a person sheds its physical form, the silver cord that keeps the etheric body attached to the soul is severed. That is the end of life on earth, but not necessarily end of life in a new realm.

In this book we will learn about the different realms we venture through once we are on the other side. We'll learn about lowly ghosts too who never evolve and remain on the lower realm without graduating to higher realms. We learn that it takes a lot of energy for a ghost to make anything manifest on a physical level. The more willing we are to open ourselves up to spirit, the more spirits will reveal themselves to us. And the biggest reason ghosts have for wanting to reveal themselves is to help console grieiving family. Apparently, after death, our lost loved ones 'stay around', wanting to let family know they are still 'very much alive', just on another realm.

Later in the book, the author talks about how ghosts like to make contact, as Praagh offers various methods of how we can protect ourselves to avoid attracting lowly spirits.

Praagh gives us some wonderful insights and stories to elaborate on his discoveries. If you're curious about what happens in the 'afterlife', read this book.

[María Greene F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yo debiera dejar de leer este tipo de libros en este momento escéptico de mi vida, porque es como si los manchara con mi incredulidad. Es como si los fuera matando, uno a uno.

Es que no dejo de pensar en que no hay prueba de nada de lo que dicen, sobre los espíritus y el más allá, aunque tampoco hay prueba del mero ser, como comenté antes sobre el libro anterior. Y eso es todavía peor, porque me pone existencialista.

Lo único que puedo realmente recalcar, es que tuve sueños raros mientras leí esto. En el más importante, apareció mi abuelo, muerto hace más de una década, uno que yo quería mucho, sonriente, radiante, con cuerpo sólido y completo, como si jamás se hubiera ido. Fue muy emocionante. Hasta pude sentir su olor, que había olvidado.

Pero, cuando me acerqué a abrazarlo... me di cuenta de que estaba soñando y entonces, plum, se desvaneció. "¡Qué estafa!", alegué en voz alta, despertando dentro de otro sueño, "Nada de esto es real. Los sueños pueden ser tan crueles".

Y entonces una voz simplemente señaló "¿Por qué sería más real un sueño que tú misma? ¿Quién dice que tú eres distinta?", y ahí fue cuando desperté DE VERDAD..

¿O no lo hice? En realidad, ¿quién sabe?

Qué angustia, y es que la voz tiene razón. O existe todo, o no existe nada, y ningún plano es más válido que otro. ¿Por qué "mi" realidad iría a ser más "legal" que la onírica? No tiene sentido.

Quizá ni siquiera existo yo.

Ya, súper trippy, jajaja, pero así es cómo últimamente me ponen estos libros. Para que vean que NO ES MENOR. Ojalá sea que simplemente los esté tomando del lado equivocado... pero no soy yo quien elige mis sueños.

(¿O sí lo soy?).

En fin, volviendo a James Van Praagh, lo bueno de esta entrega es que a uno definitivamente le pueden pasar cosas al leerla, así que de que toca algo, lo hace. Además, me encanta que siempre incluya a los animales como entidades con alma propia, que también sobreviven a la muerte. Y hay algunas historias tiernas.

Lo malo es que no es demasiado original y que, al lado de otros libros suyos, es fome. Además, a veces hay demasiado detalle específico como para ser tomado en serio. Y hay algunas historias muy oscuras y tristes, que uno preferiría que no existieran (modo avestruz).

No lo recomendaría especialmente, aunque tal vez sí sólo para que se sigan investigando estos temas y publicando sobre ellos. A mí me gustan mucho.

[Carolina Alzate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro fue super interesante, y si eres abierto o crees que después de la muerte la vida sigue y no dejamos de existir en realidad, es aún mejor.

En el libro, el autor nos cuenta muchas de las experiencias  que ha tenido tanto en su vida personal como en su trabajo al poder ver y comunicarse con los espíritus desde muy pequeño, y cómo todo esto le ha permitido ayudar a muchas personas. Además explica muchas temas sobre este mundo espiritual en el que todos en algún momento estaremos.

Me gustó mucho la forma como se desarrolló el libro, porque te va introduciendo poco a poco en "el otro lado" y todas sus dimensiones, ampliando la perspectiva tanto del mundo terrenal (el que habitamos) y el espiritual, (el que habitaremos) y por qué muchos de los espíritus siguen en la terrenal o se niegan a irse. Tambien brinda información muy útil para poner en práctica y estar mas conectado con tu "yo espiritual", cómo proteger tu aura o energía, el poder que tiene el pensamiento, la meditacion y muchas cosas mas y cómo todos tenemos el potencial para conectarnos con este mundo espiritual.

[Gsmyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book I have read by the author and I found it a bit redundant. It again was very reassuring about life after death and related some people's personal experiences. It also looked at ghosts that walk among us and positive and negative energies. I always leave the books wondering about a few things: If we exist after death and are connected to families or people, how do we actually move into another life with them. In addition, if we die and keep our younger self shell form, then when we go into the next life why is it that we are "different"and don't remember our past life if we are evolving our soul. And finally, why is it that when a huge tragedy occurs like the Holocaust or a battle in war, or a terrorist attack- that the ghosts/spirits don't all congregate. I would like to know what Van Praagh experiences if he were to go to Auschwitz and stand in the death chamber.

[Kim Gasparini · Rating 1 out of 5]

The one star isn’t about the idea of whether or not ghosts exist.
It’s because I think this guy is a sheister. He begins by talking about his crystal clear memory of being in his crib at age 2….
Wanting to be a part of his parents’ parties after he was put to bed.
In a crib. At age 2.
And his Grandfather came to talk to him. By showing him pictures in his mind of painted ponies and rodeo barrels.
So that was my first issue.
A bit later in the book, he gives us an “example” of his skills as a medium by giving us a very clear picture of how fake mediums “read” an audience member and then build a story off of the details provided by the audience member.
It got worse from there.
Again, I’m not denying the existence of ghosts or genuine mediums. I’m just saying there is nothing here to make me believe this guy is real.

[Mikki Alhart]

James Van Praagh has brought so much comfort and knowledge over the last seven years. I just published my book this week called In God's Waiting Room after 12 months in bed and graduating Hospice. I have lost two daughters to cancer the youngest seven years ago and my step daughter 3 years ago and my husband died at age 52. I have read several of his books and love being reminded of how very close our loved one are. He is always an excellent read. I recommend this book to anyone who is curious about our next great adventure in the after-life. I knocked on Heaven's door for over a year being told it would happen very soon. They didn't let me in yet.