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90 Minutes in Heaven
90 Minutes in Heaven is the runaway best seller of one man's experience with death and life. As Baptist minister Don Piper was driving home from a conference, his car collided with a semi truck that crossed into his lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, where he was greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually, and he experienced true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference was led to pray for the accident victim even though he was told Don was dead. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and the pleasure of heaven was replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Don Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story. An inspiring and encouraging account, 90 Minutes in Heaven continues to touch and comfort hundreds of thousands of people around the world as it offers a glimpse of inexpressible heavenly bliss.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
2815 people are currently reading
51096 people want to read
About the author
Don Piper
41 books177 followersOn January 18th, 1989, Don Piper died in a car accident. Ninety minutes later, after a preacher prayed over him, Piper came back to life with an extraordinary story. He'd been to heaven. So began the phenomenon of 90 Minutes in Heaven.
Now, for the millions who look to him for inspiration, Piper offers the hope that if he could survive his ordeal after the accident, then others can survive whatever life circumstances they're going through and grow in God's love through the experience.
Now, for the millions who look to him for inspiration, Piper offers the hope that if he could survive his ordeal after the accident, then others can survive whatever life circumstances they're going through and grow in God's love through the experience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,695 reviews
May 28, 2007
After reading the back cover of this book and learning that the story was about a man who had been killed in a horrific car crash, went to heaven and then returned to life 90 minutes later, I had high expectations for a riveting read. I was really disappointed. I survived a harrowing car accident 2 years ago so expected this to be somewhat cathartic. Instead, I found the story to be recounted poorly and disjointedly. By far the largest problem with the book however was that the author is a Southern Baptist minister and it often reads as a "testimonial" to the Evangelical tradition. While the one chapter that described his experience in heaven was fascinating, it was also disconcerting as it was heavy with traditional Evangelical tradition and belief (Christian songs were being sung by everyone in heaven and he approached the proverbial pearly gates). So I was left wanting to believe that heaven was truly as wonderful a place as he conveyed it to be - a most comforting thought in the face of loss and mortality - yet was somewhat convinced by his description that it was a heaven only an Evangelical could dream of and one that I would and could not experience. I was left to ponder the question - was this really heaven (and he was correct in the remaining 17 chapters that Evangelicals have been right all along and you have to "give your life to Jesus" to be saved and experience this) or was this simply his subconscious mind in some state portraying heaven as he wanted to see it or is heaven individual to everyone who experiences it? Thought provoking yes but counteracted by feeling like I was reading one very long piece of propaganda intended to convert me to the Southern Baptist/Evangelical tradition. No thank you.
July 6, 2009
My mom is struggling with her faith as she fights cancer. She is concerned about dying, if she's going to heaven or hell, lots of questions like that. I had heard awesome things about this book from my Christian friends, so I told her to pick it up. Of course, the chemo brain mom purchased the short version of the book. (Which worked well for me, as she wanted me to read it when she was done. Shoot.)
So.
I think this is a lovely book for people of the Christian faith who are dealing with grief or end of life issues.
Comforting, I suppose.
At this point, those easily offended and/or those not open to religious debate may now leave the review.
Seriously. If you are offended, go.
Now.
Last chance!
Okay. I hated this book!
I was going to mock Don Piper for needing help with a 100 page book, but then I realized we have the short version. (GOD BLESS YOU, Chemo Brain!)
Look, I cannot get past the guy saying he was dead for 90 minutes.
90 MINUTES!
I work with people who have been "dead" for three minutes and can't wipe their butt, let alone recall being dead and write a book about it! (I know, I know, insert miracle here.)
The author DOES say the gates are pearly white and the streets are golden! Whoo! Gold! These descriptions amke me imagine Heaven as a gaudy ass cruise ship.
(Hello, Satan!)
These lines actually made me LOL, and I'm pretty sure I was not supposed to LOL at this book:
"I'm really chilled. Could we stop for coffee? I think that would warm me up."
Dick spotted a bait shop right on Lake Livingston, so they pulled over.
I always get my coffee at bait shops.
I prefer the nightcrawler blend.
It's bold.
So.
I think this is a lovely book for people of the Christian faith who are dealing with grief or end of life issues.
Comforting, I suppose.
At this point, those easily offended and/or those not open to religious debate may now leave the review.
Seriously. If you are offended, go.
Now.
Last chance!
Okay. I hated this book!
I was going to mock Don Piper for needing help with a 100 page book, but then I realized we have the short version. (GOD BLESS YOU, Chemo Brain!)
Look, I cannot get past the guy saying he was dead for 90 minutes.
90 MINUTES!
I work with people who have been "dead" for three minutes and can't wipe their butt, let alone recall being dead and write a book about it! (I know, I know, insert miracle here.)
The author DOES say the gates are pearly white and the streets are golden! Whoo! Gold! These descriptions amke me imagine Heaven as a gaudy ass cruise ship.
(Hello, Satan!)
These lines actually made me LOL, and I'm pretty sure I was not supposed to LOL at this book:
"I'm really chilled. Could we stop for coffee? I think that would warm me up."
Dick spotted a bait shop right on Lake Livingston, so they pulled over.
I always get my coffee at bait shops.
I prefer the nightcrawler blend.
It's bold.
April 14, 2008
Well, hmmmm, not real sure what to say about this book because I don't want to be negative but I was definitely disappointed. I guess I expected more of the book to be about the heaven experience, not all about the recovery process. I kind of felt like I picked up a book on rehabilitation after a severe accident. There were parts that were interesting, and I did take some powerful messages from it here and there, but for the most part it was just repetitive and kind of dragged on.
September 26, 2020
This is a short book and there is also a DVD to buy if interested. It is an unusual and intriguing autobiographical book about a mystical experience that allegedly happened to the author who states it is true and he travels all over telling his story. Whether the reader believes it or not is obviously a personal choice. I am saying nothing because I don't know. There are similarities to another book - "Heaven is for Real" - also intriguing about a four years old little boy who suddenly begins to tell his family, about his experiences in heaven while he lay near to death from a ruptured appendix. I always want to believe in these books but who knows? I do have to admit being affected by them. In this particular book the author fights against believing. Anyone interested will have to read the book to discover how it ends.
September 15, 2007
This book has received wonderful reviews but I had to force myself to finish it. Normally I love stories about near death experiences but I found this story poorly written and very repetitive. The author is a Southern Baptist minister and it appears that the music played in heaven is Christian. So if you're of another faith . . . forget it! Oops, sorry.
October 17, 2012
Don Piper's book has a lot of problems. Let's start with the rather misleading title. Based on a title like "90 Minutes in Heaven" one might think that most of the book is about the author's experience in heaven. It's not. In fact Piper's description of his "90 Minutes in Heaven" takes about 15 pages out of a total of about 200. What the book's REALLY about is the lengthy recovery from his injuries, both physical and mental.
From that perspective it's not really a bad book. (Not great, but not bad.) As Piper describes, his experience has given him the ability to empathise with and help many people who have been through very serious injuries and face lengthly and painful recoveries. His own struggle with depression during that time can--and apparently has--been inspiring to others dealing with the same problem. The best part of the book for me was reading how Piper was confronted by an older minister whom he respected. Piper wasn't comfortable letting people do things for him, but throughout his recovery his friends, family, and parishioners were constantly visiting and wanting to help. He wouldn't let them. On seeing this, the old man literally got in Piper's face and rebuked him for not letting his Christian brothers and sisters minister to him. PIper accepted the rebuke, began letting people minister to him and it made a big difference in both his life and theirs. But this where we also see one of the book's serious flaws: Piper offers no biblical or theological basis. Lots of good things are revealed in these pages, but Piper never takes the opportunity to show the biblical truth of them. The issue of the ministry of others would be an excellent opportunity to talk briefly about a biblical theology of the body of Christ...but he passes over it. In fact, with one or two exceptions, the only time the Bible is ever cited or even mentioned is in the chapter headings. What a missed opportunity.
And speaking of missed opportunities: Piper speaks often about his visit to heaven allowing him to give others assurance of its reality, yet nowhere in the book does he communicate the Gospel. He does mention Jesus a few times. At one point he seem to "kind-of-sort-of" suggest that to get to heaven Jesus is involved...but he doesn't explain how. He speaks of one woman who "became a Christian" through his ministry and got assurance of heaven, but again he doesn't explain how. In the end I felt that with all the talk about reassurance of the reality of heaven Piper was pretty much enforcing the common assumption of our culture that justification is by death, not by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
And what about the "90 Minutes in Heaven". I don't doubt Piper's sincerity. But I remain very skeptical. He wasn't aware of what was going on and admits to having pieced together the events from what others later told him. He was assumed to be dead at the scene when a prison medic couldn't find his pulse. As much as Piper was seriously injured, he had no serious head or thoracic trauma and no injuries to his brain or internal organs. Why would he have been dead? Sure he could have bled to death, but not that quickly. Piper was never pronounced dead by a coroner or a doctor. Frankly, the evidence presented is weak and very sketchy--as always seems to be the case with those who have supposedly been resurrected. Of note, Piper's vision of heaven seems to reinforce the common cultural image of being reunited with lost loved ones, but not much else. He speaks of the worship he heard, but notably absent from his vision is any of the three members of the Godhead. And the whole idea raises some theological issues. Those aside, the idea also runs counter to Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed for man to die ONCE, and after that comes judgment."
As a book to encourage those who are dealing with pain and injury, this isn't a bad book, but there are far better. As for Piper's desire to assure people of the existence of heaven, I'm reminded of Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man died and found himself in hades. As he suffered torment he called out to Abraham and asked him to send to his still-living brothers, that they might know the reality of eternal damnation. Abraham replied, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Today we not only have Moses and the Prophets; we have the witness of Jesus and the Apostles as well.
From that perspective it's not really a bad book. (Not great, but not bad.) As Piper describes, his experience has given him the ability to empathise with and help many people who have been through very serious injuries and face lengthly and painful recoveries. His own struggle with depression during that time can--and apparently has--been inspiring to others dealing with the same problem. The best part of the book for me was reading how Piper was confronted by an older minister whom he respected. Piper wasn't comfortable letting people do things for him, but throughout his recovery his friends, family, and parishioners were constantly visiting and wanting to help. He wouldn't let them. On seeing this, the old man literally got in Piper's face and rebuked him for not letting his Christian brothers and sisters minister to him. PIper accepted the rebuke, began letting people minister to him and it made a big difference in both his life and theirs. But this where we also see one of the book's serious flaws: Piper offers no biblical or theological basis. Lots of good things are revealed in these pages, but Piper never takes the opportunity to show the biblical truth of them. The issue of the ministry of others would be an excellent opportunity to talk briefly about a biblical theology of the body of Christ...but he passes over it. In fact, with one or two exceptions, the only time the Bible is ever cited or even mentioned is in the chapter headings. What a missed opportunity.
And speaking of missed opportunities: Piper speaks often about his visit to heaven allowing him to give others assurance of its reality, yet nowhere in the book does he communicate the Gospel. He does mention Jesus a few times. At one point he seem to "kind-of-sort-of" suggest that to get to heaven Jesus is involved...but he doesn't explain how. He speaks of one woman who "became a Christian" through his ministry and got assurance of heaven, but again he doesn't explain how. In the end I felt that with all the talk about reassurance of the reality of heaven Piper was pretty much enforcing the common assumption of our culture that justification is by death, not by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
And what about the "90 Minutes in Heaven". I don't doubt Piper's sincerity. But I remain very skeptical. He wasn't aware of what was going on and admits to having pieced together the events from what others later told him. He was assumed to be dead at the scene when a prison medic couldn't find his pulse. As much as Piper was seriously injured, he had no serious head or thoracic trauma and no injuries to his brain or internal organs. Why would he have been dead? Sure he could have bled to death, but not that quickly. Piper was never pronounced dead by a coroner or a doctor. Frankly, the evidence presented is weak and very sketchy--as always seems to be the case with those who have supposedly been resurrected. Of note, Piper's vision of heaven seems to reinforce the common cultural image of being reunited with lost loved ones, but not much else. He speaks of the worship he heard, but notably absent from his vision is any of the three members of the Godhead. And the whole idea raises some theological issues. Those aside, the idea also runs counter to Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed for man to die ONCE, and after that comes judgment."
As a book to encourage those who are dealing with pain and injury, this isn't a bad book, but there are far better. As for Piper's desire to assure people of the existence of heaven, I'm reminded of Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man died and found himself in hades. As he suffered torment he called out to Abraham and asked him to send to his still-living brothers, that they might know the reality of eternal damnation. Abraham replied, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31). Today we not only have Moses and the Prophets; we have the witness of Jesus and the Apostles as well.
May 8, 2008
Rev. Piper's description of "heaven" is brief and early in the book. If you want afterlife details, there are few to be found here. The problems are many with this book, but let me affirm Piper's ministry to persons confined to the fixator--a torturous contraption they use to try to save severely broken limbs. Piper presents several opportunities that he had to encourage and inform those who have to wear that thing. I commend him for that. I broke my neck and wore a halo for months. More than once I've had the opportunity to share my experience with someone having to wear that thing screwed into your skull. Not fun.
The biggest problem with this book is biblical. I don't have enough space here to show you this (that's why I'm writing a book about it: Heaven for Skeptics, due out late 2008), but biblical heaven isn't defined as an afterlife destination in the Bible. For example, Matthew's Gospel uses the word "heaven" (ouranos) seventy-seven times in sixty-eight verses, and not one of them has anything to do with where you go when you die. Instead, most of them have to do with a relational reality that is both present and coming in Jesus.
Jesus only spoke of the afterlife three brief times, yet modern evangelical Christianity plays the fear and death card up front, as if it's what Jesus talked about all the time, as if the whole point of Christianity is where you go when you die. Jesus rarely mentioned death and the afterlife. He spoke constantly about having Life real, rich, abundant, and eternal. He talked about what the kingdom of heaven is like, where it is, what you can do with it now, and how to enter it an live. Death, for example is mentioned by Jesus only only a couple of times (as defeated) in John's Gospel, but Life is front and center: nearly fifty times.
I have no doubt that Piper had a real experience that changed him forever. My concern is that he's merged his experience with his own theological ideology and agenda, focusing on death and the afterlife via his testimony. Is death and the afterlife the point of Christianity biblically? No. It's not. So it disturbs me when preachers do that. Threats and emotional manipulation by fear-based and death-focused tactics is neither biblical nor Christian. The scriptures don't say we go to heaven when we die. They say that the kingdom of heaven is coming to us when Jesus comes on resurrection day: "Thy kingdom come . . ."
Most of this book describes not Piper's "90 minutes in heaven" but pain, depression, recovery, and his present mission to tell his story. He had help writing it, but it doesn't show. It's rather wandering and repetitious. The good news, however, is that it's a quick read. It's a compelling story, admittedly. And while I don't recommend it for biblical and theological reasons, I wish Piper God's speed in his recovery and ministry.
The biggest problem with this book is biblical. I don't have enough space here to show you this (that's why I'm writing a book about it: Heaven for Skeptics, due out late 2008), but biblical heaven isn't defined as an afterlife destination in the Bible. For example, Matthew's Gospel uses the word "heaven" (ouranos) seventy-seven times in sixty-eight verses, and not one of them has anything to do with where you go when you die. Instead, most of them have to do with a relational reality that is both present and coming in Jesus.
Jesus only spoke of the afterlife three brief times, yet modern evangelical Christianity plays the fear and death card up front, as if it's what Jesus talked about all the time, as if the whole point of Christianity is where you go when you die. Jesus rarely mentioned death and the afterlife. He spoke constantly about having Life real, rich, abundant, and eternal. He talked about what the kingdom of heaven is like, where it is, what you can do with it now, and how to enter it an live. Death, for example is mentioned by Jesus only only a couple of times (as defeated) in John's Gospel, but Life is front and center: nearly fifty times.
I have no doubt that Piper had a real experience that changed him forever. My concern is that he's merged his experience with his own theological ideology and agenda, focusing on death and the afterlife via his testimony. Is death and the afterlife the point of Christianity biblically? No. It's not. So it disturbs me when preachers do that. Threats and emotional manipulation by fear-based and death-focused tactics is neither biblical nor Christian. The scriptures don't say we go to heaven when we die. They say that the kingdom of heaven is coming to us when Jesus comes on resurrection day: "Thy kingdom come . . ."
Most of this book describes not Piper's "90 minutes in heaven" but pain, depression, recovery, and his present mission to tell his story. He had help writing it, but it doesn't show. It's rather wandering and repetitious. The good news, however, is that it's a quick read. It's a compelling story, admittedly. And while I don't recommend it for biblical and theological reasons, I wish Piper God's speed in his recovery and ministry.
January 22, 2016
Believers (like myself) will find this will find this inspirational. Non-believers, don’t waste your time because you’re only going to complain about it. Although I found the story inspirational, I think the title of the book is a little misleading. I was expecting much more detail about the heaven experience. This was only a small portion of the overall book. The majority of the book described the incredibly horrible accident that led to his visit to the “pearly gates” and even more so of his painful recovery (both mentally and physically) experience. Although he now knows why God sent him back, the recovery process was full of pain, suffering, and anguish.
As this read was actually a listen, with the author doing a fantastic job doing his own narration, I don’t have exact quotes but two things stood out for me that gave me piece of mind.
How can you lose someone when you know where they are?
When I die, I know I’ll be with God. While I’m alive, I know God is with me.
As this read was actually a listen, with the author doing a fantastic job doing his own narration, I don’t have exact quotes but two things stood out for me that gave me piece of mind.
How can you lose someone when you know where they are?
When I die, I know I’ll be with God. While I’m alive, I know God is with me.
December 28, 2007
This book probably doesn't deserve the two stars that I gave it, and some people may be angry that I didn't rate it higher. I saw it at the bookstore, waited to get it on hold at the library, and in the meantime had it highly recommended by a patient's spouse among other people, so I was quite excited when it was available to me. Then the holidays hit and I didn't have much time and well, the book was due yesterday...no worries, it's a short read, and it promises to be a very interesting read to boot. Let's just say at times I needed to take some Ritalin to keep focused and finish the book today.
Bottom line: great message, especially if you are a devout Christian or are a Christian and having some doubts about the afterlife, however, sometimes it was very repetitive and sophomoric writing. Don't get me wrong, there were things in this book that struck a chord with me and that at times gave me chills or brought me to tears, but I have read much more descriptive and eloquent delivery of a life story from people whose second language is English.
Sorry, Don Piper, great underlying message through and through, but the writing could use some work.
Bottom line: great message, especially if you are a devout Christian or are a Christian and having some doubts about the afterlife, however, sometimes it was very repetitive and sophomoric writing. Don't get me wrong, there were things in this book that struck a chord with me and that at times gave me chills or brought me to tears, but I have read much more descriptive and eloquent delivery of a life story from people whose second language is English.
Sorry, Don Piper, great underlying message through and through, but the writing could use some work.
October 16, 2011
90 Minutes in Heaven was a fantastic book! I loved it! It kept me interested throughout the whole thing. If you like books that touch your heart this book is for you. Also, if you've ever wondered what heaven is like, this is also for you. What made me want to read this book is the recent passing of a close family member. In the book, Don Piper gets in a car crash and is pronounced dead. He is welcomed to Heaven and spends 90 minutes there. He says that they are the greatest moments of his life and prays for God to take him back throughout his recovery. It shows how amazing things the Lord can do for us. He suffers alot of pain but, he makes great progress. The rest is for you to find out...
September 23, 2015
Okay let me open with this (and a friend has pointed out how often I open with this information). I'm a Christian. I'm an assistant pastor in our congregation. So I approach this advisedly.
First I can not speak to the experience but I approach the book with an attitude that Don Piper is speaking truthfully. I believe what he says. Some will argue that what he experienced was simply a dream supplied by his mind and that he was not dead for 90 minutes. They will assume that the EMTs simply either missed his pulse or that his heart somehow restarted sooner than the eyewitnesses noticed.
Again I wasn't there. BUT Don Piper is relating what happened to him and telling the truth as he knows and believes it.
One reviewer noted that the account can't be true as a person who had died for 90 minutes would have massive brain damage, that the brain under normal conditions can not be deprived of oxygen for much more than 3 minutes without irreparable damage. Of course the answer to that is that if God chose to bring this man back God could also deliver him from brain damage.
I will simply suggest that you try to read the book with an open mind.
Of course some will assume that the book is false and that the story is simply a scam. I don't believe that but of course I don't want to believe that of a Christian.
Whichever way you go as noted try to keep an open mind.
Now I do see one problem with the book and I'd like to give a heads up about it. The book is aimed at a Christian audiance and a non-Cothalic audiance at that. There is a lot of what I call "Christianeese". That is words and phrases that will ring with church goers (I'd say especially Baptist church goers). It's something many of us have to deal with as there are words and shorthand phrases that we get used to using among ourselves (for example "prayer warrior") that may not be clear to people who don't use those phrases regularly.
I'd say don't let that put you off and try not to get annoyed. This book can be encouraging and I'd say try it yourself and see what you think.
First I can not speak to the experience but I approach the book with an attitude that Don Piper is speaking truthfully. I believe what he says. Some will argue that what he experienced was simply a dream supplied by his mind and that he was not dead for 90 minutes. They will assume that the EMTs simply either missed his pulse or that his heart somehow restarted sooner than the eyewitnesses noticed.
Again I wasn't there. BUT Don Piper is relating what happened to him and telling the truth as he knows and believes it.
One reviewer noted that the account can't be true as a person who had died for 90 minutes would have massive brain damage, that the brain under normal conditions can not be deprived of oxygen for much more than 3 minutes without irreparable damage. Of course the answer to that is that if God chose to bring this man back God could also deliver him from brain damage.
I will simply suggest that you try to read the book with an open mind.
Of course some will assume that the book is false and that the story is simply a scam. I don't believe that but of course I don't want to believe that of a Christian.
Whichever way you go as noted try to keep an open mind.
Now I do see one problem with the book and I'd like to give a heads up about it. The book is aimed at a Christian audiance and a non-Cothalic audiance at that. There is a lot of what I call "Christianeese". That is words and phrases that will ring with church goers (I'd say especially Baptist church goers). It's something many of us have to deal with as there are words and shorthand phrases that we get used to using among ourselves (for example "prayer warrior") that may not be clear to people who don't use those phrases regularly.
I'd say don't let that put you off and try not to get annoyed. This book can be encouraging and I'd say try it yourself and see what you think.
March 31, 2018
I'm always skeptical of stories like this one, in which a person claims to have been to Heaven. When I saw the movie version of this book, I was emotionally moved and found hope in the story. Now that I've read the book, I have found the same hope in its pages that I saw on the screen. Whether or not Don Piper has been telling the truth about his experience in 1989, is not for me to decide. Only God and he know for sure. What is for me to decide is if I will be touched by Reverend Piper's ministry.
There is hope to be found in his story. Not only that Heaven is a real place, but also that God desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. Also, that He is still in the business of miracles. I've seen miracles of various sizes in my own life, and I hope that you have too. They're there. We just have to look closely to find them sometimes. [This is not new information to me, but it might be for someone reading this review or this book.]
What really pressed into my heart even more for having read this book is that keeping my eyes on God and keeping my prayer life strong and always growing are crucial to my relationship with God and my life and ministry here on Earth. May I always remember to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," as advised in Matthew 6:33.
May this book bless all who read it. May they find hope and a message from God that their hearts need to hear.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
There is hope to be found in his story. Not only that Heaven is a real place, but also that God desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. Also, that He is still in the business of miracles. I've seen miracles of various sizes in my own life, and I hope that you have too. They're there. We just have to look closely to find them sometimes. [This is not new information to me, but it might be for someone reading this review or this book.]
What really pressed into my heart even more for having read this book is that keeping my eyes on God and keeping my prayer life strong and always growing are crucial to my relationship with God and my life and ministry here on Earth. May I always remember to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," as advised in Matthew 6:33.
May this book bless all who read it. May they find hope and a message from God that their hearts need to hear.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
January 15, 2009
I commend this author for the inner strength that he found within himself to be able to pull through such a horrific accident and recovery period. It made me realize how fortunate I am to have zero physical restrictions in my life, as well as my family. I was also touched by his willingness since the accident to reach out to many other people who had similar accidents. But I wonder how this story would have been told if he had not been a Southern Baptist Minister? I believe that his background in religion made this story very biased based on his religious beliefs. The last chapter left me feeling a little bitter. I was disappointed that he denounced other NDE's he has heard from other people over the years by saying they were too "rehearsed", when his own experience sounded as if it was pulled from scripture. It is quite arrogant of him to say he knows what he experienced was "real", not like anyone else's story. This is such a personal and intimate experience for any individual who have had a Near Death Experience (NDE). Everyone's story is "real" to them and should be accepted as such.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2012
Have you ever wondered where you are going after you die? Do you even know where you're going after you die? Well in 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life written by Don Piper we find the story of Don Piper who died in a car accident, went to heaven, and came back to earth. He was driving home to Houston from the Baptist General Convention of Texas on Wednesday morning when he had to cross the bridge over Trinity River in a cloudburst. Right after the bridge there was a sharp incline going up that lacks drivers' visibility in both directions. Just before he cleared the bridge, an 18 wheel semi- truck sandwiched his small car head on. That's when he got a glimpse of what heaven is like.
The next second he was standing in heaven with joy as he recognized a large crowd who stood just outside of heaven's gate as if they were waiting for Don. He saw people who died before him and they rejoiced being together again! "It was the greatest family reunion of all," he stated, "I had never seen, heard, or felt anything so real before." He saw dazzling colors and sensed that age had no meaning in heaven because there's no time in heaven. Heaven never gets dark because God is the light. As Don stepped closer to God he heard music. All the songs were praises to Christ as King of Kings. "Everything was perfect," he pronounced. He joined the choir as he got closer to the gates, but all of the sudden he left them just as he got to the heavenly gates.
The officers found no pulse in Don and his body was all mangled. Dick, a friend of Don, was in traffic so he got out to see what happened. God told him to pray for Don and guess what?! He came alive. Don felt a strong, powerful hand clasping onto his. He was taken to the ICU room in the hospital where he had many surgeries and an Ilizarov installed to keep his left leg together.
Don suffered this extremely painful recovery for years. While he laid in the hospital bed he was very depressed and mad about why he came back to earth to feel all the pain. During that time many people visited him and asked if they could help him in some way, but "no" was all he said to them. Then Jay, a retired minister came to visit him. Pastor Jay noticed that Don was shutting out all the people who wanted to help him, which hurt both Don and his friends. So Pastor Jay told Don, "you need to get your act together and you're cheating them out of an opportunity to express their love to you."
When Don opened up more he realized that God had forgiven him for not giving the visitors an opportunity. He was depressed and in pain. Don complained so much for not knowing anything that would happen or why he had returned to earth. When he got tired of watching t.v he decided to listen to a song called "Praise the Lord," and that's when his depression vanished. The next morning he was determined to keep on living and realized that God had a purpose for him in coming back to earth.
The next second he was standing in heaven with joy as he recognized a large crowd who stood just outside of heaven's gate as if they were waiting for Don. He saw people who died before him and they rejoiced being together again! "It was the greatest family reunion of all," he stated, "I had never seen, heard, or felt anything so real before." He saw dazzling colors and sensed that age had no meaning in heaven because there's no time in heaven. Heaven never gets dark because God is the light. As Don stepped closer to God he heard music. All the songs were praises to Christ as King of Kings. "Everything was perfect," he pronounced. He joined the choir as he got closer to the gates, but all of the sudden he left them just as he got to the heavenly gates.
The officers found no pulse in Don and his body was all mangled. Dick, a friend of Don, was in traffic so he got out to see what happened. God told him to pray for Don and guess what?! He came alive. Don felt a strong, powerful hand clasping onto his. He was taken to the ICU room in the hospital where he had many surgeries and an Ilizarov installed to keep his left leg together.
Don suffered this extremely painful recovery for years. While he laid in the hospital bed he was very depressed and mad about why he came back to earth to feel all the pain. During that time many people visited him and asked if they could help him in some way, but "no" was all he said to them. Then Jay, a retired minister came to visit him. Pastor Jay noticed that Don was shutting out all the people who wanted to help him, which hurt both Don and his friends. So Pastor Jay told Don, "you need to get your act together and you're cheating them out of an opportunity to express their love to you."
When Don opened up more he realized that God had forgiven him for not giving the visitors an opportunity. He was depressed and in pain. Don complained so much for not knowing anything that would happen or why he had returned to earth. When he got tired of watching t.v he decided to listen to a song called "Praise the Lord," and that's when his depression vanished. The next morning he was determined to keep on living and realized that God had a purpose for him in coming back to earth.
July 10, 2016
Excellent and inspiring
June 20, 2016
Highly recommended! Very encouraging. I had to keep the tissues close by. Very emotional book to read. A huge reminder of the importance of praying without ceasing.
September 17, 2014
Nope, didn't like this one at all.
At times when I express personal dislike for a book, either an Amazon reviewer or someone here on Goodreads launches a diatribe. Sticking my neck out, I'll venture into the murky waters of personal opinion.
At times, whenever a "good Christian" writes a book, I'm somehow left feeling unclean from the self aggrandizing techniques of "Brother have you found the Lord."
Don Piper, a young Baptist minster is a victim of a horrible traffic accident wherein a truck crashed head on into his car and he is violently crushed within.
Pronounced dead at the scene, he is transported to heaven where he is embraced by those who died before him. After his out of body experience, he awakens to horrific pain.
Reluctant to discuss his experience, Piper is consumed with constant, unbearable pain as gradually his body and spirit are rebuilt. In telling the story of his miracle and new life, Don is able to assist others.
This book fell flat for me and I'll state that it felt a tad too preachy.
At times when I express personal dislike for a book, either an Amazon reviewer or someone here on Goodreads launches a diatribe. Sticking my neck out, I'll venture into the murky waters of personal opinion.
At times, whenever a "good Christian" writes a book, I'm somehow left feeling unclean from the self aggrandizing techniques of "Brother have you found the Lord."
Don Piper, a young Baptist minster is a victim of a horrible traffic accident wherein a truck crashed head on into his car and he is violently crushed within.
Pronounced dead at the scene, he is transported to heaven where he is embraced by those who died before him. After his out of body experience, he awakens to horrific pain.
Reluctant to discuss his experience, Piper is consumed with constant, unbearable pain as gradually his body and spirit are rebuilt. In telling the story of his miracle and new life, Don is able to assist others.
This book fell flat for me and I'll state that it felt a tad too preachy.
June 25, 2013
As I read this book I did my best to empathize with its author. I am very glad that he was able to learn lessons from his experience and allow God to bring Good from all the pain he had to suffer, for indeed, it sounds like he suffered a lot. That he has helped so many people since and his tragedy inspired so much prayer seem to be irrefutable and wonderful things.
What I'm wondering is, why are these books so popular? What draws people to them? More to the point, ‘Why am I reading books on life-after-death again? What do they offer me?’ No doubt I have some expectations, probably unknown to myself, that this person's experience of ‘Heaven’ will fit my vision of it. When it doesn't, I am disappointed. And yes, maybe even a little put out with the authors that they are satisfied with their ‘Heaven’. Then I am reminded of the early Christian missionaries bringing ‘salvation’ to the Native Americans. When the priests, or the ministers (because denomination didn't matter in this case) described ‘Heaven’ to these tribes, they weren't impressed either. Our Western heritage ‘Heaven’ didn't sound like a place they cared to visit, much less be motivated to work toward.
‘In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.’ John 14:2-3
Don Piper's description of ‘Heaven’ falls short of a heavenly realm to me. But then I am not him and I've not had to endure what he has. However, if this experience inspired so many to pray for him and helped him endure all the pain he had to go through—and is still living with (which seems to be akin to what St. John of the Cross called the Purgative Way)—then it would seem to be good fruit from a good tree. cf. Matthew 7:17
Then again, I could be wrong ... because it wouldn't be the first time and I've never been to Heaven.
What I'm wondering is, why are these books so popular? What draws people to them? More to the point, ‘Why am I reading books on life-after-death again? What do they offer me?’ No doubt I have some expectations, probably unknown to myself, that this person's experience of ‘Heaven’ will fit my vision of it. When it doesn't, I am disappointed. And yes, maybe even a little put out with the authors that they are satisfied with their ‘Heaven’. Then I am reminded of the early Christian missionaries bringing ‘salvation’ to the Native Americans. When the priests, or the ministers (because denomination didn't matter in this case) described ‘Heaven’ to these tribes, they weren't impressed either. Our Western heritage ‘Heaven’ didn't sound like a place they cared to visit, much less be motivated to work toward.
‘In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.’ John 14:2-3
Don Piper's description of ‘Heaven’ falls short of a heavenly realm to me. But then I am not him and I've not had to endure what he has. However, if this experience inspired so many to pray for him and helped him endure all the pain he had to go through—and is still living with (which seems to be akin to what St. John of the Cross called the Purgative Way)—then it would seem to be good fruit from a good tree. cf. Matthew 7:17
Then again, I could be wrong ... because it wouldn't be the first time and I've never been to Heaven.
March 12, 2008
This book is about a guy who clinically dies in a car wreck for 90 minutes, until he miraculously comes back to life. While "dead" he experiences heaven and then proceeds to preach to everyone that will listen. I suppose if you are the spiritual Christian type, then you will find this book appealing and inspirational. I am extremely skeptical about these sorts of things and therefore can't relate well. The book was written by Don Piper with the help of an established writer. It was apparent the writer didn't have much of a say in the final product, as the author repeats himself numerous times until you want to beat yourself over the head with it. The other aspect of the book that I am not sure whether I liked or disliked, was the fact that I was under the assumption that the book was going to be almost entirely about the heavenly experience. Instead, there was ONE chapter about the experience, and about 19 other chapters talking about the pain of recovery (mostly the same thing over and over again). In all, I found the book redundant and boring, but the thought of an afterlife seems mildly interesting and the one chapter describing it is really the only redeeming quality of this book. My suggestion: read only the first two chapters and consider it a 'short' story.
September 1, 2018
I listened to this one while folding laundry. It was short and sweet. The writing wasn't great and the story was choppy like others have said but I really enjoyed hearing his experience. There was a lot of "praising Jesus" and although this seems to turn readers off to his message one cannot deny that this man beat all the odds and survived something horrific (the accident). The chapter on his actual time in heaven was short and I was expecting more and wanted to hear more. But it was also interesting to me to hear his struggle all through his recovery of why did this happen and why was I sent back and then ultimately him discovering his purpose in helping others through tough times. No matter if you are a "believer" or not this man has lead an amazing life amongst all the pain and suffering he has had to endure. Even if I don't agree with all of his theology his trying to be compassionate to others who are suffering was inspiring to me and someone I would want to emulate.
January 24, 2016
I almost gave up on this book. Having lost several people in 2015, I wanted to know more about heaven. Instead, there's some description about what Piper saw and experienced in heaven (and all of it is wonderful) but this book is mostly about his accident and recovery--in vivid detail. That's when I nearly stopped reading, mostly because I'm squeamish. But I'm glad I continued, because I realize now that every bit of information about Piper's accident, pain, recovery, struggle with depression, and finding new purpose again is vital to understanding why we are here on earth when we yearn to be in heaven. I appreciate Piper's honesty in discussing his emotions. Although I initially wanted him to gloss over the more difficult parts of his story, I'm so glad he didn't. This book affected me in ways I never expected, but needed. Then again, God knew that. :)
February 25, 2009
This book wasn't what I expected. One chapter describing a horrific accident, 2 chapters about a visit to heaven followed by several chapters describing a grueling recovery, rehabilitation and fight with depression, then a few chapters of personal back patting about how much the authors experience has helped others. Not exactly the inspiration someone suffering a loss would need. I read this book because I have a friend grieving the loss of her son and I thought perhaps this book might help her, I won't be passing it on because I think it would only depress her further.
April 16, 2008
**spoiler** reveals some of what’s in the book.
The subject of this book had help with the writing. There is a lot that's repetitive. I don’t know if it was an effort to ‘pad’ the book and create more pages or to drive home certain points Don Piper wanted to make. It didn’t detract from the main message about Mr. Piper’s experience in heaven after he died and then his return to mortality and the anger he had. He struggled to learn what the mission God wanted him to accomplish by ‘sending him back’. You couldn’t help but laugh when he relates the speed in which the minister who was praying & singing over his dead body exited the wrecked car when the dead man began singing with him.
He did learn many lessons, endured much pain in his rehabilitation & touched many hearts.
I learned many lessons. One exceptional one I have to quote: “Some things happen to us from which we never recover, and they disrupt the normalcy of our lives. That’s how life is.
Human nature has a tendency to try to reconstruct old ways and pick up where we left off. If we are wise, we won’t continue to go back to the way things were (we can’t anyway). We must instead forget the old standard and accept a ‘new normal”.
The subject of this book had help with the writing. There is a lot that's repetitive. I don’t know if it was an effort to ‘pad’ the book and create more pages or to drive home certain points Don Piper wanted to make. It didn’t detract from the main message about Mr. Piper’s experience in heaven after he died and then his return to mortality and the anger he had. He struggled to learn what the mission God wanted him to accomplish by ‘sending him back’. You couldn’t help but laugh when he relates the speed in which the minister who was praying & singing over his dead body exited the wrecked car when the dead man began singing with him.
He did learn many lessons, endured much pain in his rehabilitation & touched many hearts.
I learned many lessons. One exceptional one I have to quote: “Some things happen to us from which we never recover, and they disrupt the normalcy of our lives. That’s how life is.
Human nature has a tendency to try to reconstruct old ways and pick up where we left off. If we are wise, we won’t continue to go back to the way things were (we can’t anyway). We must instead forget the old standard and accept a ‘new normal”.
April 22, 2019
A very inspiring testimony!!
While Don’s 90 Minutes in Heaven is very enlightening. At this point in my life’s it’s Don’s Journey after his visit to heaven that captivated my heart.
You would think if you had died, visited heaven, and God chooses to bring you back to earth, life would be easy right? Wrong!
I love how Don is very honest about the living hell he experienced when returning to earth and how day by day God uses it for good.
Don’s personal challenges as he healed and learned to adjust to a new way of living was very inspiring.
I will definitely be rereading this book again soon.
Thank you Don Piper for sharing you have encouraged me in my own personal challenges.
I recommend this book for any Christian or non Christian who would like to know more about heaven or if you are experiencing a personal living hell! Hope it encourages you like it has me :).
While Don’s 90 Minutes in Heaven is very enlightening. At this point in my life’s it’s Don’s Journey after his visit to heaven that captivated my heart.
You would think if you had died, visited heaven, and God chooses to bring you back to earth, life would be easy right? Wrong!
I love how Don is very honest about the living hell he experienced when returning to earth and how day by day God uses it for good.
Don’s personal challenges as he healed and learned to adjust to a new way of living was very inspiring.
I will definitely be rereading this book again soon.
Thank you Don Piper for sharing you have encouraged me in my own personal challenges.
I recommend this book for any Christian or non Christian who would like to know more about heaven or if you are experiencing a personal living hell! Hope it encourages you like it has me :).
March 6, 2020
What an amazing story! So brutally honest and super encouraging. God is good.
August 11, 2016
These are the kinds of books that are so incredibly difficult to review because each reading experience will differ so much based on your background and beliefs. As a Christian, these books make me a little bit wary. I find them preachy and polarizing instead of encouraging, but if someone who reads this is uplifted or inspired by it, that is wonderful. This is just not my cup of tea.
April 2, 2013
This book is very sad, but also inspirational. You read about the torture the man must go through in recoverying from his crash, but it's inspirational because of the experience he had with God. Great book.
March 30, 2025
a good book that gives you chills while reading
October 28, 2013
Let me say from the outset that I believe that Don Piper believes what he is saying & believes he had a real experience, however when comparing his experience with Scripture, his experience is at best a direct contradiction of the Bible.
Don Piper writes “none of the hymns that filled the air were about Jesus' sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs & instinctively knew that there are no sad songs in heaven. Why would there be?” so Piper is asserting that there are no sad songs in Heaven & so they don't sing about the sacrificial death of Christ. Really? Well the Apostle John actually saw the throne of God, & witnessed the worship in Heaven. Revelation 4-5 the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb & sang a new song saying, Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men According to Piper they don't sing about the death or sacrifice of Jesus. According to Scripture, Heaven does sing praise to the Lamb who was slain.
One pastor has said, “I believe this is the most pervasive, subtle, unrecognized, & yet destructive error contained in the book. I believe that this book undermines the readers’ confidence in Scripture, encourages distrust of Scripture, & encourages unbelief in God's Word. This book elevates experience - specifically his - above God's written revelation as a source of comfort, assurance, & hope for the believer & repeatedly suggests that Scripture can be believed because of what Piper has experienced.” I agree whole heartedly with this.
2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. SLJ says that “the preposition “with” here is not the kind of preposition we might normally see or expect. There are prepositions often translated “with” that mean simply “in the company of” or “with” in the many ways in which we use the term in English, but this is a very vivid living term. It means “with” in the sense of “in communion with.” In fact, its basic meaning is facing.”
(Also, the preposition pros + the accusative ton kyrion (with the Lord) suggests not just impassive spatial proximity to Christ but dynamic, interpersonal communion with him). Why is this important? Because Piper says he never saw God or Jesus, he was not facing Jesus, he was not communing with Jesus. Who is correct? Don Piper or Scripture?
You see Piper’s book, his tale, his experience contradict what the Scripture says will take place when we die.
So this book is simply trash, it contradicts the Bible, it diminishes the sufficiency & authority of the Bible, it moves people away from the revealed truth of God from God towards human experience. It elevates human experience to the level of Scripture, even above it as it uses the experience to verify the Word instead of the Word verifying the experience. And again if the Word is used to verify the experience it turns out that at best it is deception.
Don Piper writes “none of the hymns that filled the air were about Jesus' sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs & instinctively knew that there are no sad songs in heaven. Why would there be?” so Piper is asserting that there are no sad songs in Heaven & so they don't sing about the sacrificial death of Christ. Really? Well the Apostle John actually saw the throne of God, & witnessed the worship in Heaven. Revelation 4-5 the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb & sang a new song saying, Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men According to Piper they don't sing about the death or sacrifice of Jesus. According to Scripture, Heaven does sing praise to the Lamb who was slain.
One pastor has said, “I believe this is the most pervasive, subtle, unrecognized, & yet destructive error contained in the book. I believe that this book undermines the readers’ confidence in Scripture, encourages distrust of Scripture, & encourages unbelief in God's Word. This book elevates experience - specifically his - above God's written revelation as a source of comfort, assurance, & hope for the believer & repeatedly suggests that Scripture can be believed because of what Piper has experienced.” I agree whole heartedly with this.
2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. SLJ says that “the preposition “with” here is not the kind of preposition we might normally see or expect. There are prepositions often translated “with” that mean simply “in the company of” or “with” in the many ways in which we use the term in English, but this is a very vivid living term. It means “with” in the sense of “in communion with.” In fact, its basic meaning is facing.”
(Also, the preposition pros + the accusative ton kyrion (with the Lord) suggests not just impassive spatial proximity to Christ but dynamic, interpersonal communion with him). Why is this important? Because Piper says he never saw God or Jesus, he was not facing Jesus, he was not communing with Jesus. Who is correct? Don Piper or Scripture?
You see Piper’s book, his tale, his experience contradict what the Scripture says will take place when we die.
So this book is simply trash, it contradicts the Bible, it diminishes the sufficiency & authority of the Bible, it moves people away from the revealed truth of God from God towards human experience. It elevates human experience to the level of Scripture, even above it as it uses the experience to verify the Word instead of the Word verifying the experience. And again if the Word is used to verify the experience it turns out that at best it is deception.
May 12, 2017
Red Dot Book Review— By: Hannah Stillson
90 Minutes in Heaven By: Don Piper
Don Piper, a local pastor in Texas, gets pushed to his limits as he realizes the difference between self-pity and hope. On a January morning, Don Piper was driving home from a pastoral conference. As he was driving over a bridge, a truck lost control and hit Don's car, flipping it over 3 times. Supposedly Don died and went up to heaven for 90 minutes. After Don's “death,” many people were called and informed, but what they didn't know was that they didn't have to say their goodbyes just yet.
About an hour and a half minutes after the crash, Don comes back to life, miraculously alive and responsive. EMTs rush Don to the hospital and put him on life support. Through what seems to be the toughest year of Don's life, Don learns how to hold onto hope and not put a negative image on his mind.
Throughout the book, many people say that surgeries are what saved Don's life, but I think that it was all of the prayers and support that made Don become a walking miracle.
I would totally suggest this true story about death and life and how to hold on to what is important. This book definitely deserves 5 stars out of 5 because the content is clean, and the life lesson from the story is something that can be put into practice. Whether sitting down and relaxing or looking for a fast book to read, this book is good for anyone.
90 Minutes in Heaven By: Don Piper
Don Piper, a local pastor in Texas, gets pushed to his limits as he realizes the difference between self-pity and hope. On a January morning, Don Piper was driving home from a pastoral conference. As he was driving over a bridge, a truck lost control and hit Don's car, flipping it over 3 times. Supposedly Don died and went up to heaven for 90 minutes. After Don's “death,” many people were called and informed, but what they didn't know was that they didn't have to say their goodbyes just yet.
About an hour and a half minutes after the crash, Don comes back to life, miraculously alive and responsive. EMTs rush Don to the hospital and put him on life support. Through what seems to be the toughest year of Don's life, Don learns how to hold onto hope and not put a negative image on his mind.
Throughout the book, many people say that surgeries are what saved Don's life, but I think that it was all of the prayers and support that made Don become a walking miracle.
I would totally suggest this true story about death and life and how to hold on to what is important. This book definitely deserves 5 stars out of 5 because the content is clean, and the life lesson from the story is something that can be put into practice. Whether sitting down and relaxing or looking for a fast book to read, this book is good for anyone.
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