Acknowledgments

This book could only have been possible with the cooperation and trust of hundreds of patients who have shared their experiences with me. In some cases I have changed minor details and edited experiences so as to protect the identities of those involved.

Archie Bleyer, M.D., was a constant source of insight and inspiration. I am deeply indebted to him for the years I spent learning from him as his research fellow. Those years were truly the golden years and he helped me to make the most productive use of them, Donald Tyler, M.D., helped me with his open mind and thoughtful comments on research design. Mark Smith, M.D., provided me with invaluable emotional support.

Jerrold Milstein, M.D., was my adviser. Most of the work on the anatomical location of near-death experiences is his contribution. John Neff, M.D., supplied me with an often-needed shoulder to cry on and much needed sage advice.

Paula Livesly typed all my original manuscripts and gently nagged me to complete my deadlines. Tanya S. provided essential secretarial assistance as well as many thoughtful insights into our research design and interviewing techniques.

My own office staff has helped me above and beyond the call of duty. I am particularly indebted to Penny Kellog, Tiki Hunnicutt, and Nancy Henry for handling the thousands of details and messages on tiny pieces of paper that I would otherwise have lost track of.

Raymond Moody, M.D., and Bruce Greyson, M.D., are my mentors in near-death research, and whatever I have contributed is only because of what they have already achieved. My agent Nat Sobel is the soul of this book and brought me together with Paul Perry, the writer, and Diane Reverand, my editor at Random House. Nat also taught me how to write a book and to believe in myself. Diane Reverand sculpted the manuscript into its current form, and believe me, it is vastly improved over my original version.

I particularly am grateful for the support of my partners Margaret Clements and David Christopher. In the three years that I have labored over this book they have been patient with me in a thousand different ways. I would never have been able to find time to write this book without their support.

Finally, I thank my mother, for everything.