(89 reviews) Author: ISBN : Product Detai New from Format: PDFContrary to popular belief, death is not a moment in time, such as when the heart stops beating, respiration ceases, or the brain stops functioning. Death, rather, is a process - a process that can be interrupted well after it has begun. Innovative techniques, such as drastically reducing the patient's body temperature, have proven to be effective in revitalizing both the body and mind, but studies show they are only employed in approximately half of the hospitals throughout the United States and Europe.
In Erasing Death, Dr. Sam Parnia presents cutting-edge research from the front line of critical care and resuscitation medicine that has enabled modern doctors to routinely reverse death, while also shedding light on the ultimate mystery: what happens to human consciousness during and after death. Parnia reveals how medical discoveries focused on saving lives have also inadvertently raised the possibility that some form of "afterlife" maybe uniquely ours, as evidenced by the continuation of the human mind and psyche in the first few hours after death. Questions about the "self" and the "soul" that were once relegated to theology, philosophy, or even science fiction are now being examined afresh according to rigorous scientific research.
With physicians such as Parnia at the forefront, we are on the verge of discovering a new universal science of consciousness that reveals the nature of the mind and a future where death is not the final defeat, but is in fact reversible.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 12 hours and 25 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: HarperAudio
- Audible.com Release Date: April 9, 2013
- Whispersync for Voice: Ready
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00BUPETTC
Download Erasing Death: The Science That Is Rewriting the Boundaries Between Life and Death PDF
In Erasing Death, Sam Parnia has created a highly readable review of the area of resuscitation medicine and of the now widely accepted phenomena of Near Death Experiences (NDEs) or Actual Death Experiences as he calls them. He provides a very thorough exploration of all the possible scientific theories, clearly showing why each falls short. In addition he has bought to light some of the latest developments in medicine that should improve survival rates.
Erasing Death also delves into the philosophical debate about the existence of the soul, and whether it is something that is generated by the brain or that uses the brain as a host. This discussion is expanded into the whole area of what consciousness means, including tussling with some of the modern attempts to explain it in quantum mechanical terms. Parnia is clearly a man who has contemplated and researched these concepts for many years, driven by the context of his own father's tragic permanent loss of consciousness and of the various experiences he has witnessed in emergency medicine.
However, many, would have bought this book to learn about results from the AWARE study and Dr Parnia does not disappoint. I will not put a spoiler in, particularly relating to any evidence supporting the out of body experience, but he does discuss some tantalizing initial findings. Interestingly, it would appear that a book published over a year ago, called Aware of Aware by Ben Williams, may have been on the money when it came to predicting the outcome. From what is revealed in Erasing Death it would appear that there are plans to expand the study and tighten some of the techniques used to insure better capturing of any evidence. As Parnia points out, this is a new area of science and these researchers are the trail blazers.
Parnia deftly explains very complex processes for a non-professional audience. The book is roughly divided into an exploration of resuscitation and of experiences reported by people concerning while dead. In both sections he discusses standardization of process and scientific method. His language is smooth and easy to follow while not being so elementary to be condescending or boring.
His discussion of the "zip code" lottery that dictates the skill of the team attempting resuscitation is truly shocking. Equally disquieting is the fact that survival of cardiac stoppage has not improved since 1965. He presents compelling arguments for the training in CPR, the use of lowering the temperature in the patient, updating equipment, and mandating best practice are all balanced persuasive. Equally fascinating for me were his description of the exact mechanisms of death. He is quite detailed on the cascade of events that accompany the halting of a heart.
Parnia has chosen to scientifically study the reports of patients returning from cardiac death. His findings come strongly in support of cultural reports. He makes very solid argument for believing the brain and the self are not one entity. The philosophical history is an interesting adjunct to the exposition. This part of the.book provides a concise and thorough explication of the theories of the near death experience. He also provides convincing counter arguments to those who believe they are simply artifacts of the dying brain.
I heard of this book on NPR, and I am pleased with the reference. There is some repetition of content between chapters, the context is different. Therefore the repetition may be to support different points. It isn't annoying.
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