What do you think?
Rate this book
Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning
When Peter Baldwin Panagore died on the side of a mountain, his life was forever changed. Decades later, the intense spiritual journey continues, with a story that combines the thrills of a wilderness adventure with the awe-inspiring elements of a paranormal novel.
In March of 1980, college senior Peter Panagore went ice climbing on the world-famous Lower Weeping Wall, along the Ice Fields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. His climbing partner was an experienced ice climber, but Panagore was a novice. On their descent, they became trapped on the side of the mountain. As the sun set, he was overcome by exhaustion and hypothermia. He died on the side of that mountain. And in those minutes on the other side, he experienced hell, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Heaven was beautiful.
Panagore's death experience changed his life and resulted in an intense spiritual journey that has continued for decades. It impelled him to pursue a master's degree at Yale Divinity School, focusing on systematic theology and Christian mysticism. His educational background coupled with 30 years of meditative practice and 20 years of professional work with the dying and grieving has given him unique insight, language, and perspective on heaven, God, death, life, love, beauty, and hope.
I have told my story to audiences large and small for a decade now.... My story touches people's hearts; every time I tell it the audience is gripped and silent…. This book is about hope. It is meant to give real hope to the dying, hope to the fearful, hope to the hopeless, hope to the grieving.--from the book
In March of 1980, college senior Peter Panagore went ice climbing on the world-famous Lower Weeping Wall, along the Ice Fields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. His climbing partner was an experienced ice climber, but Panagore was a novice. On their descent, they became trapped on the side of the mountain. As the sun set, he was overcome by exhaustion and hypothermia. He died on the side of that mountain. And in those minutes on the other side, he experienced hell, forgiveness, and unconditional love. Heaven was beautiful.
Panagore's death experience changed his life and resulted in an intense spiritual journey that has continued for decades. It impelled him to pursue a master's degree at Yale Divinity School, focusing on systematic theology and Christian mysticism. His educational background coupled with 30 years of meditative practice and 20 years of professional work with the dying and grieving has given him unique insight, language, and perspective on heaven, God, death, life, love, beauty, and hope.
I have told my story to audiences large and small for a decade now.... My story touches people's hearts; every time I tell it the audience is gripped and silent…. This book is about hope. It is meant to give real hope to the dying, hope to the fearful, hope to the hopeless, hope to the grieving.--from the book
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
111 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Peter Baldwin Panagore
6 books11 followersPeter Baldwin Panagore is author of Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Was Just The Beginning (Hampton Roads) and Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit (Simon and Schuster), a he is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post Blog Spot on yoga and mindfulness meditation. He earned his BA in English from the University of Massachusetts and a M.Div from Yale University.
His Near Death Experience lead to his ordination in the United Church of Christ and served churches in Connecticut and coastal Maine. He is the writer, on-air talent, and host of a daily two-minute broadcast on two TENGA-owned NBC stations in Maine, reaching an audience of 50,000 viewers a day. He is the fifth minister of First Radio Parish Church of America (DailyDevotions.org founded in 1926), and is the president of a media communications corporation and a children’s television production company.
His Near Death Experience lead to his ordination in the United Church of Christ and served churches in Connecticut and coastal Maine. He is the writer, on-air talent, and host of a daily two-minute broadcast on two TENGA-owned NBC stations in Maine, reaching an audience of 50,000 viewers a day. He is the fifth minister of First Radio Parish Church of America (DailyDevotions.org founded in 1926), and is the president of a media communications corporation and a children’s television production company.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Read
July 29, 2015As the hired book publicist for this title, I don’t rate books that I read for the purpose of promoting them but I do write about them.
I read the first 50 pages of this book on Mother’s Day and put it down only because two little people were beckoning me to come to dinner.
It’s the impeccable and memorable detail with which Peter Panagore describes the events leading up to his death on the side of the Lower Weeping Wall in Alberta Canada back in 1980, that made this book hard to put down.
The more I got to know him, the more I liked Peter. I trusted what he was telling me. I appreciated his idiosyncrasies and learned all manner of things about ice climbing—the gear, how to stay warm, conserve energy—signs that death is near…and when it comes. This is a story that reads like fiction but isn’t.
This is a hopeful read about heaven and about dying from someone who appears to have no religious agenda. He writes from the heart. I believe him when he says that heaven is a beautiful place. It keeps me hopeful. It also makes me sad that his days are spent wanting to go back to heaven.
The scenes after his death made me weepy, especially all that happens after he comes to—the stutter, the inability to explain the death to anyone fearing everyone will think he has lost his mind. This was 1980.
My sense is that this will be a great read for adventure types, for spiritual speakers, people of faith, for people interested or fascinated in near death experiences. It is also very much for people who have or about to experience loss. The end of this book is like a warm blanket for grievers.
My dad is okay, I thought and the end of this book. He’s okay.
I read the first 50 pages of this book on Mother’s Day and put it down only because two little people were beckoning me to come to dinner.
It’s the impeccable and memorable detail with which Peter Panagore describes the events leading up to his death on the side of the Lower Weeping Wall in Alberta Canada back in 1980, that made this book hard to put down.
The more I got to know him, the more I liked Peter. I trusted what he was telling me. I appreciated his idiosyncrasies and learned all manner of things about ice climbing—the gear, how to stay warm, conserve energy—signs that death is near…and when it comes. This is a story that reads like fiction but isn’t.
This is a hopeful read about heaven and about dying from someone who appears to have no religious agenda. He writes from the heart. I believe him when he says that heaven is a beautiful place. It keeps me hopeful. It also makes me sad that his days are spent wanting to go back to heaven.
The scenes after his death made me weepy, especially all that happens after he comes to—the stutter, the inability to explain the death to anyone fearing everyone will think he has lost his mind. This was 1980.
My sense is that this will be a great read for adventure types, for spiritual speakers, people of faith, for people interested or fascinated in near death experiences. It is also very much for people who have or about to experience loss. The end of this book is like a warm blanket for grievers.
My dad is okay, I thought and the end of this book. He’s okay.
October 14, 2017
Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning by Peter Baldwin Panagore. ©2015. Hampton Roads Publishing Company. 5 Stars. I have read many books about the near death experience (or NDE). I have enjoyed them and, most particularly, related to them. This book holds a special place in my heart and I am grateful that this God-centered man shared his journey with us in book form. I can say no more but that I highly recommend it, and if you relate to this sort of thing, it is not to be missed. Thanks to a local library for the availability of this title.
December 19, 2016
This book was about a college student, Peter Panagore, who traveled from Montana on a college break with a friend to Alberta, Canada to ice climb the world-famous Lower Weeping Wall. Due to some issues that they experienced during the climb, Peter experienced a near death experience (NDE) while climbing. During that NDE he recants within this book his experience while meeting God.
I found his account of his NDE believable and interesting. Peter mentions on a number of occasions in this book that after his experience he doesn't have faith anymore because he knows that God is real. Peter went onto pursue a Master's Degree at Yale Divinity School since this experience had such a profound effect on him.
The book is short (less than 200 pages) and is definitely worth the read. If you like anything to do with climbing, which I do, this book includes a lot about ice climbing. The near death experience topic fascinates me and one thing that I found interesting is that when Peter was in his NDE he experienced his own personal hell at some point during the experience.
His hell was that he could feel the pain that he caused to others which I find interesting. It's not that he was in the typical environment that we consider hell with fire, the devil, and pitchforks but just the sense that he felt the pain that he caused others. So, it tells me that there are consequences to our actions on Earth but his experience overall was one of love from God. He also says many times in this book that he wanted to return to God since he felt uncomfortable on Earth for a while after the experience.
We don't know what happens after we die but I find it intriguing that there are people out there who have professed to have experience a NDE and maybe we can learn from them. If you are also intrigued by such topics, Heaven is Beautiful may just be a worthwhile read. I recommend it.
I found his account of his NDE believable and interesting. Peter mentions on a number of occasions in this book that after his experience he doesn't have faith anymore because he knows that God is real. Peter went onto pursue a Master's Degree at Yale Divinity School since this experience had such a profound effect on him.
The book is short (less than 200 pages) and is definitely worth the read. If you like anything to do with climbing, which I do, this book includes a lot about ice climbing. The near death experience topic fascinates me and one thing that I found interesting is that when Peter was in his NDE he experienced his own personal hell at some point during the experience.
His hell was that he could feel the pain that he caused to others which I find interesting. It's not that he was in the typical environment that we consider hell with fire, the devil, and pitchforks but just the sense that he felt the pain that he caused others. So, it tells me that there are consequences to our actions on Earth but his experience overall was one of love from God. He also says many times in this book that he wanted to return to God since he felt uncomfortable on Earth for a while after the experience.
We don't know what happens after we die but I find it intriguing that there are people out there who have professed to have experience a NDE and maybe we can learn from them. If you are also intrigued by such topics, Heaven is Beautiful may just be a worthwhile read. I recommend it.
September 16, 2015
In “Heaven Is Beautiful,” Rev. Peter Baldwin. Panagore engages the reader in an intimate and openly vulnerable manner. As such, we are drawn into the author's experience, internal process, and interpretation. Essentially the book has four distinct themes. On the surface it is a first person narrative of a deep-winter wilderness encounter including his first experience ice climbing. At this level the book grabs one immediately. Panagore manages to simultaneously explain the technicalities of winter camping and climbing to the uninitiated without letting it get in the way of helping us enter into the head and heart space of his 21-year-old self.
The second effort is perhaps the most noble as the author attempts what he acknowledges to be an impossible task: How does one narrate what is by definition ineffable? He wrestles with this repeatedly making sure we know that there are no words to convey the substance of his near-death experience (NDE) on the side of an ice cliff, because words themselves are limited symbols. And yet, with frequent reminders of the conundrum, Panagore plunges in. As warned, it left me feeling both eager to understand, and yet knowing I was unable to fully embrace what is by its very nature personal and intimate. However, the comfortable and
familiar manner of the prose helps the reader to simply trust, and enter into the author’s experience.
The narrative then shifts from an outdoor adventure to one of deep struggle as Rev. Panagore endeavors to live with the experience. Because he decided not to reveal it to anyone for years, the story is an internal one, bracketed by external events. We are drawn into a story of inner turmoil and struggle as he comes to grips with the aftermath of his NDE, working constantly to integrate it into his renewed sense of what it means to be alive and to be human. This, for me, was the most engaging part of the book.
Finally, interspersed throughout the narrative is Rev. Panagore’s effort to interpret his experience through the lens of 35 years of reflection. What does this all mean? While he easily draws on Christian scripture as illustration and metaphor to help him point to the indescribable, he never gets tangled in dogmatic or religious arguments about life after death and how it functions. He is not preaching about the afterlife, he is simply describing it as he experienced it on that mountain. He is less concerned with convincing the reader that his experience is authentic, but rather proceeds with the confidence that it is. This disarming confidence is replete throughout the book and caused me to evaluate the experience not as a skeptic or a believer, but as a curious observer.
In the end, I was not left wondering about the veracity of Panagore’s experience on the side of the ice-cliff. I was instead fascinated by the way the experience shaped his life: his focus, his work, his philosophy, his very existence. Some of this is not as simple or easy as the book’s title might convey. This book does not shy away from the pain and conflict that the NDE caused (and in many ways still causes) for the author. Indeed, the author’s definition of hell (not a physical place) is haunting and unsettling. The book is successful because instead of trying to convince the reader about the truth and nature of an afterlife, it instead gives one a sense that we should be focusing on our actions and behaviors’ in this life, attempting to live as loving and concerned people, and leaving our worry and fretting over the next life in the hands of a loving and compassionate God.
The second effort is perhaps the most noble as the author attempts what he acknowledges to be an impossible task: How does one narrate what is by definition ineffable? He wrestles with this repeatedly making sure we know that there are no words to convey the substance of his near-death experience (NDE) on the side of an ice cliff, because words themselves are limited symbols. And yet, with frequent reminders of the conundrum, Panagore plunges in. As warned, it left me feeling both eager to understand, and yet knowing I was unable to fully embrace what is by its very nature personal and intimate. However, the comfortable and
familiar manner of the prose helps the reader to simply trust, and enter into the author’s experience.
The narrative then shifts from an outdoor adventure to one of deep struggle as Rev. Panagore endeavors to live with the experience. Because he decided not to reveal it to anyone for years, the story is an internal one, bracketed by external events. We are drawn into a story of inner turmoil and struggle as he comes to grips with the aftermath of his NDE, working constantly to integrate it into his renewed sense of what it means to be alive and to be human. This, for me, was the most engaging part of the book.
Finally, interspersed throughout the narrative is Rev. Panagore’s effort to interpret his experience through the lens of 35 years of reflection. What does this all mean? While he easily draws on Christian scripture as illustration and metaphor to help him point to the indescribable, he never gets tangled in dogmatic or religious arguments about life after death and how it functions. He is not preaching about the afterlife, he is simply describing it as he experienced it on that mountain. He is less concerned with convincing the reader that his experience is authentic, but rather proceeds with the confidence that it is. This disarming confidence is replete throughout the book and caused me to evaluate the experience not as a skeptic or a believer, but as a curious observer.
In the end, I was not left wondering about the veracity of Panagore’s experience on the side of the ice-cliff. I was instead fascinated by the way the experience shaped his life: his focus, his work, his philosophy, his very existence. Some of this is not as simple or easy as the book’s title might convey. This book does not shy away from the pain and conflict that the NDE caused (and in many ways still causes) for the author. Indeed, the author’s definition of hell (not a physical place) is haunting and unsettling. The book is successful because instead of trying to convince the reader about the truth and nature of an afterlife, it instead gives one a sense that we should be focusing on our actions and behaviors’ in this life, attempting to live as loving and concerned people, and leaving our worry and fretting over the next life in the hands of a loving and compassionate God.
September 27, 2021
I was alerted to this book via a YouTube video in which the author was interviewed. It's a short read and though the author is a Christian, this is not an only Jesus can save you kind of book. Instead it's about his relationship with God following a transformative experience. He is an ordained minister who does not conform to what some consider the norms of clerical propriety. Indeed there is a book out titled "A Christian Rebuttal to Peter Baldwin Panagore's Heaven is Beautiful" by Robert Alan King. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and his outlook on the hereafter resonates with my own. Here is the link to the YouTube video that I mentioned: https://youtu.be/R8o2rcWldWk.
September 27, 2020
Très beau livre sur les expériences de mort imminente.
L’écriture est simple, fluide . L’auteur t’embarque dans une quête passionnante des événements qui ont accompagné Son expérience de mort et sa rencontre avec le divin.
C’est un livre de contemplation d’émerveillement et de profonde d’espérance.
L’écriture est simple, fluide . L’auteur t’embarque dans une quête passionnante des événements qui ont accompagné Son expérience de mort et sa rencontre avec le divin.
C’est un livre de contemplation d’émerveillement et de profonde d’espérance.
February 12, 2018
I was excited to read a near-death experience book by an English major, and I admire Peter Panagore’s use of metaphors to bring the near-death experience into deeper understanding for those who have not had a near-death experience. As a near-death experiencer myself, I can see that he did a remarkable job of describing what it is like to exist without a body and without a brain and yet possess a far more expanded consciousness outside of form. I have so many personal connections to his story that it is hard to be objective about the book. Also, I interviewed Peter Panagore, so I have even more of an appreciation for his book having heard some of the answers to my specific questions. Here is a link to a transcript that interview if you are interested. https://triciabarkernde.com/2018/01/1...
I like how Peter captured his college years and described the ice climb. The descriptions were intricate enough to visualize this climb. I could relate to Peter’s initial disorientation with the world and how he found refuge in books. The most important thing near-death experiencers learn is that we are beloved and deeply loved. Peter describes God telling him, “I love you more deeply than your imagination could ever have conceived…Because you are here, now you know how much I love you, and you know how great my love is.” This is the most important lesson we learn on the other side, and Heaven is Beautiful sums up that experience of being loved by God beautifully. The book reads quickly, and I think it is valuable for people to realize that the aftereffects of a NDE can be profound, especially at times when there were not as many resources for those who experienced NDEs.
I like how Peter captured his college years and described the ice climb. The descriptions were intricate enough to visualize this climb. I could relate to Peter’s initial disorientation with the world and how he found refuge in books. The most important thing near-death experiencers learn is that we are beloved and deeply loved. Peter describes God telling him, “I love you more deeply than your imagination could ever have conceived…Because you are here, now you know how much I love you, and you know how great my love is.” This is the most important lesson we learn on the other side, and Heaven is Beautiful sums up that experience of being loved by God beautifully. The book reads quickly, and I think it is valuable for people to realize that the aftereffects of a NDE can be profound, especially at times when there were not as many resources for those who experienced NDEs.
September 20, 2015
Heaven is Beautiful is a gripping story, well told; a great adventure tale detailed by a clear-eyed author; a surprising, jargon-free, honest, forthright explanation of a personal near death experience and a life-long spiritual search. Intended as a panacea to grief, the book celebrates that part of life that attaches us all to a universal “otherness” that the author freely attributes to many forms of spirituality even while his own faith is grounded in Christianity.
With meticulous detail, Peter Panagore reaches back over thirty years to chronicle his remarkable life story. He draws the reader into an engaging tale of a mountaineering adventure fraught with inexperience, bad luck and deep trauma but also one that allowed for moments of sheer joy in the great beauty of nature, soulful exchanges in rich encounters and very, very good luck. The descriptions of his thoughts and feelings in another dimension – a place of Heaven and Hell – are heartfelt in the struggle to define the indefinable. He builds a kaleidoscope image of his experience that, in the end, is undeniably compelling in the argument for the existence of God, Truth, Life, Soul, Spirit and all-encompassing Love.
His definition of sin, “the hurt given or caused in one’s lifetime” is among many gentle and generous personal precepts that draw the reader in. There is enough food for thought in this book for many re-reads!
With meticulous detail, Peter Panagore reaches back over thirty years to chronicle his remarkable life story. He draws the reader into an engaging tale of a mountaineering adventure fraught with inexperience, bad luck and deep trauma but also one that allowed for moments of sheer joy in the great beauty of nature, soulful exchanges in rich encounters and very, very good luck. The descriptions of his thoughts and feelings in another dimension – a place of Heaven and Hell – are heartfelt in the struggle to define the indefinable. He builds a kaleidoscope image of his experience that, in the end, is undeniably compelling in the argument for the existence of God, Truth, Life, Soul, Spirit and all-encompassing Love.
His definition of sin, “the hurt given or caused in one’s lifetime” is among many gentle and generous personal precepts that draw the reader in. There is enough food for thought in this book for many re-reads!
November 6, 2015
I have been dubious of NDE accounts, particularly those purporting to visit heaven or talk to Jesus. This book, however, is entirely different. Very personal, very powerful, and compelling. It was hard to put it down. Peter Panagore is a wonderful writer--you can actually feel the subzero chill of his mountain climbing experience and the dangers it posed. His writing of his encounter during death with the love of God is sublime and moving. He helps us put this life and this world into the much needed perspective of the bigger spiritual picture. I found this book immensely helpful and hopeful and highly recommend it.
September 26, 2015
Heaven Is Beautiful is a fascinating read. It is a personal and skillfully written account of the author's near-death experience over 30 years ago. The author vividly recounts his transformative spiritual experience through the eyes, mind, and heart of his 21-year-old self. His descriptions of dying, heaven, and hell are absolutely riveting. I am now on my 2nd read, since I couldn't stop myself from reading it in entirety in 1 weekend. I highly recommend this book!
July 19, 2017
Really really enjoyed this book! It was an Easy read, and didn't want to put it down.
I understand alot of what Peter meant by feeling half here and half there. Wanting to go home and belonging to God. Its so nice to read stories from people who have experienced that same oneness. If you know, you know.
I understand alot of what Peter meant by feeling half here and half there. Wanting to go home and belonging to God. Its so nice to read stories from people who have experienced that same oneness. If you know, you know.
January 5, 2016
I enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I thought it would be. I would recommend it to others.
September 25, 2018
The book--the story of Peter Baldwin Panagore's death by hypothermia on a mountain in Banff, his experience of Heaven and return is fascinating and well written.
However, I have an issue. I can't deny his experience and I won't. But he says his experience has convinced him this material world is an illusion.
Here's my concern. The Bible says God created the heavens and the earth, looked at it and pronounced. Jesus came to this earth in the body. He died, in truth, and was resurrected in truth. Then He was bodily taken to Heaven.
This Jesus was tortured to death on a cross. Real splinters, from a real wooden cross, entered his flesh.
Our bodies matter to God. The way we live in this life matters.
Heaven indeed is real. Heaven indeed is beautiful. But so is this beautiful world God created.
However, I have an issue. I can't deny his experience and I won't. But he says his experience has convinced him this material world is an illusion.
Here's my concern. The Bible says God created the heavens and the earth, looked at it and pronounced. Jesus came to this earth in the body. He died, in truth, and was resurrected in truth. Then He was bodily taken to Heaven.
This Jesus was tortured to death on a cross. Real splinters, from a real wooden cross, entered his flesh.
Our bodies matter to God. The way we live in this life matters.
Heaven indeed is real. Heaven indeed is beautiful. But so is this beautiful world God created.
June 11, 2017
Page turner that I finished in one day. He explained his experience very well and I enjoyed Learning about ice climbing.
August 17, 2017
Tale of life
Renews hope and the existence of the divine
Beautiful story
You can actually read the authors frustration at trying to explain heaven
So real and so worth Reading
Renews hope and the existence of the divine
Beautiful story
You can actually read the authors frustration at trying to explain heaven
So real and so worth Reading
October 22, 2021
Stories of near death experiences intrigue me. Found this in the Maine section of our library and picked it up. Gripping, quick read.
October 26, 2017
Beautiful!
What a wonderful exciting story of a supernatural event. My heart goes out to Peter, because I truly understand what he has felt since his NDE. That being there and no longer being there has to be incredibly painful. I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for him even to function afterwards.
What a wonderful exciting story of a supernatural event. My heart goes out to Peter, because I truly understand what he has felt since his NDE. That being there and no longer being there has to be incredibly painful. I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for him even to function afterwards.
November 6, 2019
Well written and really entertaining and interesting account of various wilderness adventures that led up to his death experience. The death account was fascinating, whether or not you have a belief in such things. Recommend.
October 8, 2015
Disclaimer: Before reading Heaven is Beautiful by Rev. Peter Panagore I already had a hopeful belief in the existence of Heaven and I have enjoyed Rev. Panagore’s Daily Devotions broadcasts for many years. However, neither of these facts could guarantee that I would like his book but I am happy to say that I do.
I began Heaven is Beautiful one night at about 11 pm intending to read for just a little while before going to sleep. At 2 am I had to forcibly put it aside because I couldn’t stay awake any longer. Panagore’s narrative moves along at a smooth, readable pace that compels the reader to follow along. His descriptions of the climbing trip that led to his NDE (near death experience) contains a good bit of detail about the equipment and process involved in such a climb. I found all of this to be interesting, possibly because I have family members who climb but I also think it was pertinent to the story and brings the reader deeper into the adventure. He does such a good job of describing the days following his NDE that I actually felt exhausted along with him.
Once the NDE has taken place the descriptions of Panagore’s experience become almost erratic but this isn’t sloppy writing. It is the author’s attempt to describe what he experienced while in a state of nothingness and everythingness. He is attempting to describe the indescribable and his repetitive clusters of nouns produces the same confused yet reassuring emotions in the reader. It is an intentional device that works well.
I enjoyed this book and I think many others will as well. Because Rev. Panagore is someone who seems to me to be a sincere and trustworthy individual I believe his story and it provided reassurance of my belief in something beautiful after death. Although he is clearly a man of faith he is not one to evangelize and force a religious outlook on anyone. He simply presents his beliefs and experiences for others to explore and consider for themselves. This is a story well worth reading.
I began Heaven is Beautiful one night at about 11 pm intending to read for just a little while before going to sleep. At 2 am I had to forcibly put it aside because I couldn’t stay awake any longer. Panagore’s narrative moves along at a smooth, readable pace that compels the reader to follow along. His descriptions of the climbing trip that led to his NDE (near death experience) contains a good bit of detail about the equipment and process involved in such a climb. I found all of this to be interesting, possibly because I have family members who climb but I also think it was pertinent to the story and brings the reader deeper into the adventure. He does such a good job of describing the days following his NDE that I actually felt exhausted along with him.
Once the NDE has taken place the descriptions of Panagore’s experience become almost erratic but this isn’t sloppy writing. It is the author’s attempt to describe what he experienced while in a state of nothingness and everythingness. He is attempting to describe the indescribable and his repetitive clusters of nouns produces the same confused yet reassuring emotions in the reader. It is an intentional device that works well.
I enjoyed this book and I think many others will as well. Because Rev. Panagore is someone who seems to me to be a sincere and trustworthy individual I believe his story and it provided reassurance of my belief in something beautiful after death. Although he is clearly a man of faith he is not one to evangelize and force a religious outlook on anyone. He simply presents his beliefs and experiences for others to explore and consider for themselves. This is a story well worth reading.
December 15, 2015
"Heaven is Beautiful" is an enthralling, gripping, fast-paced, powerful and I believe unforgettable book! The author openly, honestly and freely discloses his death experience at age 21 during an ice-climbing adventure in 1980. He is meticulous in his detail about the adventure, and that is riveting in itself, but his description of what happened when he died on the face of the ice mountain, and afterwards when he returned to life is beyond engaging. Peter Panagore makes you feel as if you are with him every step of the way; you feel his excitement and fear as he and his friend climb the Lower Weeping Wall on Cirrus Mountain in Bnaff National Park, Alberta, Canada; are with him when they realize the life-threatening danger they are in, follow along as they try to get back home, empathize with his feelings of not knowing how to fit into this world after seeing what lies beyond.
Though written by a person of the Christian faith, this book will give comfort to anyone who believes in a Power greater than humanity and wonders what is to come.
The writing in this book is so beautiful and well-expressed. It is amazing!! I literally couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. My favorite quote is how the author ends the book: "God is Love. God is Love. God is Love. Death is a door. All is well. All has always been well. All will be well. All will always be well - because of God's love. Never forget that."
I recommend this book to EVERYONE, and thank Goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Though written by a person of the Christian faith, this book will give comfort to anyone who believes in a Power greater than humanity and wonders what is to come.
The writing in this book is so beautiful and well-expressed. It is amazing!! I literally couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. My favorite quote is how the author ends the book: "God is Love. God is Love. God is Love. Death is a door. All is well. All has always been well. All will be well. All will always be well - because of God's love. Never forget that."
I recommend this book to EVERYONE, and thank Goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 2, 2019
Absolute drivel. Unbiblical. Actually anti-biblical.
The author takes it upon himself and derives from his perspective of his death experience to properly redefine heaven, hell, sin, God, and earthly reality all rather effortlessly. The fact that he carries the title of a pastor makes this all the more sickening. But then the reality is that this book should be quickly classified by the astute reader to not be a true theological work of better understanding spiritual realities through someone's particular experience. It is a work of human-glorification through the poorly narrated story of a man's apparent death (this remains unconfirmed, of course).
Seriously, the author posits that if earth were perfect it would be God. Has this same author read the first two chapters of Genesis? God created earth perfectly and it was very much outside of God's actual being. This is just one of a number of spiritual claims that Panagore makes which have a very mystical air to them, but aren't the least bit true.
Reader, what can you realistically expect from a book that has a quote of praise for the book on its back cover that is written by the author of a book called "The Divinity of Dogs"? Drivel.
The author takes it upon himself and derives from his perspective of his death experience to properly redefine heaven, hell, sin, God, and earthly reality all rather effortlessly. The fact that he carries the title of a pastor makes this all the more sickening. But then the reality is that this book should be quickly classified by the astute reader to not be a true theological work of better understanding spiritual realities through someone's particular experience. It is a work of human-glorification through the poorly narrated story of a man's apparent death (this remains unconfirmed, of course).
Seriously, the author posits that if earth were perfect it would be God. Has this same author read the first two chapters of Genesis? God created earth perfectly and it was very much outside of God's actual being. This is just one of a number of spiritual claims that Panagore makes which have a very mystical air to them, but aren't the least bit true.
Reader, what can you realistically expect from a book that has a quote of praise for the book on its back cover that is written by the author of a book called "The Divinity of Dogs"? Drivel.
October 3, 2015
"Heaven Is Beautiful" is a captivating read! The author's near-death experience over 30 years ago is described in detail that will have you on the side of the mountain with his 21-year old self. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I was on the mountain with Peter and Tim. He describes dying, hell, and heaven in a way that will make you read and re-read it again and again. I am on my second read now.
Having know the author for 20+ years, I learned new things about him and I had things I know reinforced and clarified. The first thing I notice and have always noticed every time I've run into Peter Panagore has been the clear light in his eyes. Now I know why.
When you read this book you will see into the author's mind, feel the love in his heart and be touched by his soul!
Having know the author for 20+ years, I learned new things about him and I had things I know reinforced and clarified. The first thing I notice and have always noticed every time I've run into Peter Panagore has been the clear light in his eyes. Now I know why.
When you read this book you will see into the author's mind, feel the love in his heart and be touched by his soul!
October 20, 2019
I loved this book as well but hate it took him so long to listen to GOD and what he wanted him to to with his experience.
December 22, 2015
I won this book on Goodreads.
It was amazing! I cried through half of it because of the intense emotion it brought up. The first part of how the writer died was interesting and necessary to allow you to know who this person was before he died so you could see him better after he died. I am a believer but this book hit me hard. God is REAL. God is LOVE. READ THIS BOOK!
I don't want to give away the story so I can't say too much but I actually read it in one night, not going to bed till after midnight to finish it. It isn't a long book, is well written so that it is easy to read. This would be a great Christmas gift for anyone.
It was amazing! I cried through half of it because of the intense emotion it brought up. The first part of how the writer died was interesting and necessary to allow you to know who this person was before he died so you could see him better after he died. I am a believer but this book hit me hard. God is REAL. God is LOVE. READ THIS BOOK!
I don't want to give away the story so I can't say too much but I actually read it in one night, not going to bed till after midnight to finish it. It isn't a long book, is well written so that it is easy to read. This would be a great Christmas gift for anyone.
December 4, 2015
Thank you Peter for allowing God's Light to shine through you and sharing this amazing story! I absolutely loved this book. Very well written and very compelling. I could not put it down once I started it. I loved the honesty revealed in the book. It resonated with me so deeply. This book would make such an amazing movie! I encourage anyone to read it. You will be uplifted and inspired by it for sure!
February 15, 2016
Peter Panagore died on a mountainside in March of 1980. But he returned to life. He tried to go on after his near death experience for years by keeping it a secret. It changed him and led him on a spiritual journey. One day he finally told his story and has continued to do so in front of audiences. He gives hope to the dying, grieving and hopeless people who want to know if there is life beyond the here and now.
November 3, 2015
A gripping story..i couldn't put it down; an experience that the author admits is hard to find the words for..mere words cannot describe it. It is an especially interesting, comforting read for those who have lost a loved one or for those who are terminally ill. Got it on a whim at the public library.
July 11, 2016
That you may truly know that you are a spiritual being having a human experience, this book will bring that home. Reading this book causes my heart to yearn and strain to go Home to Love. Peter's courage in telling his story about his encounter on "the other side" is evident. There is much to hear and understand. I will be nourished for many days to come with the truth that is found in this book.
June 5, 2017
God is real
I haven't had an NDE, but I know God is real and I admire Peter for his bravery and his story. The only thing keeping this at four stars instead of five for me was there were parts of the story that seemed a bit repetitious. It was brave of him to share and quite inspirational.
I haven't had an NDE, but I know God is real and I admire Peter for his bravery and his story. The only thing keeping this at four stars instead of five for me was there were parts of the story that seemed a bit repetitious. It was brave of him to share and quite inspirational.
May 9, 2019
On May 1, 2019, I was thinking about my trip, later in the day, to the library. I instantly got a nervous feeling. I remembered that happening before, and it had led me to a book on prayer journaling in Kettering, Ohio. When I did get to the Vancouver library in the afternoon, I quickly found this book. It is the one that God wanted me to find. I am always thankful when God communicates with me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews