More about Christianity than the Hereafter

The book is misleading.. I expected stories about near death experiences as seen by a physician, but this book is about Reggie Andersons personal life, from childhood to present, about falling in love with his now wife, about how his religious beliefs have helped him in every aspect of his life. It's basically a book on Christian belief. I tried to listen to it off and on for almost a year and finally gave up, as it does not have any content I expected from the title and description. Although Reggie seems like a very kind and nice man, and his story is written with humor and love, it just isn't about what I thought it was.. He's very clearly a man with strong Christian conviction, so if you enjoy reading about that, you'll enjoy his story.. If you are hoping to read about patients who had near death experiences or were healed after encounters with the hereafter, you just won't find that in this book. Disappointing...

46 people found this helpful

A beautiful and spiritual American family memoir

The first half of this book is filled with memories of growing up in the rural south. The descriptions are of a life that most Americans are only a generation or two removed from and it is an enjoyable experience to remember this way of life. The doctor's memoir is written in a circle, starting from a hospital room, going back to a childhood on a farm, and eventually we come back to the same hospital room.

As the doctor recalls his life journey, the listeners have an opportunity to remember the America of our grandparents and parents, perhaps we had a taste of it ourselves if we are bit older, of the family values, the religious roots, and small town lifestyle.

Woven throughout this book are the doctor's personal spiritual experiences and evolution. He relates his experiences to Christian beliefs with God, Jesus, Angels, and Heaven as a greater and more vivid experience than Earth. His experiences are in dreams, intuition, or even personal experience in the day. He repeatedly experiences a brief sighting of a glow of light as a patient dies, and even the same beautiful scent each time as the veil parts between heaven and the patient's room, or the feel of a warm movement of air.

With a patient who died that was cruel and abusive in his lifetime, and unrepentant to the end, the doctor had a different experience - there was a chill in the air and a scent of sulfur during his passing.

Interestingly, the doctor spoke of feeling with his hands where illness would be in a patient's body, and some of the stories shared how he let his instinct lead him to order further tests on a patient that common sense would lead a doctor to stop and send the patient home.

For people who have done a lot of reading on OBE (Out of Body) or NDE (Near Death Experiences) there would be instant recognition of many of the spiritual experiences this deeply Christian physician describes. And, it is possible that he hasn't read or been influenced by OBE / NDE books by Robert Monroe, William Buhlman, Dr. Eben Alexander, etc. Christian beliefs would exclude experiences in the books of Dr. Brian Weiss or Dr. Michael Newton, but the similar events related are recognizable.

Readers of books of a more spiritual bent rather than Christian would recognize this doctor as being an advanced soul or spirit because of his gifts, leadership, and good works.

This is a man who would be recognized in the spiritual readership as having some inborn skills of a shaman due to his physical experiences of touch, hearing, seeing, and smelling that which other people could not, but because he completely identifies as a Christian medical doctor, that is not the emphasis of this book. The vividly colored and scented beautiful places he experiences on the other side are recognizable to people who see the vastness and great diversity in what some call the astral plane as that portion which is related to by Christians and where Christians first go in their transitional evolution.

It's a graceful and beautiful book. There is gentle and self-deprecating humor to make the listener smile and there are portions that may cause the eyes to tear up and maybe put a lump in the listener's throat. There are some fascinating and mysterious events and miracles too. Most of all, there are good people who sometimes suffered tragedies, but because of family, friends, neighbors, and strong Christian beliefs survived and grew and loved and shared.

People who enjoy this book would also enjoy Making Rounds with Oscar - about a doctor and his patients - which is also a deeply moving *human experience* memoir.

35 people found this helpful

Will Listen Again and Again

Would you listen to Appointments with Heaven again? Why?

Absolutely. This book is written for the common person without all the flowery language. It really gets at the heart of the story of how a medical internist walks away from God, has a life changing experience resulting in him coming back to God and stories of some of his patient's near death experiences that strengthens his faith along the way. The story is told with humor and I like the reader's southern accent. I have recommended it to several of my physician friends who have added this to their favorite's collection.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Appointments with Heaven?

When he described his experience in meeting Jesus as well as his diabetic patient that died at the cath lab and came back to give him an encouraging message from Jesus.

Which character – as performed by Eric G. Dove – was your favorite?

Eunice

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I liked listening to the book on different days/times

Any additional comments?

Great reading. I really enjoyed it. At times, when I get frustrated by the day, I'll find myself playing a particular section of the book to encourage my hope that Heaven is my home, not Earth.

8 people found this helpful

The thin veil

Where does Appointments with Heaven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book came at the right time for me. Having recently lost my son, I am searching for a Christian perspective on the other side. So right now it ranks near the top. I love Reggie's honesty about his heightened senses of heaven. That a man is comfortable expressing these experiences and his knowing is truly refreshing.

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciate a Christian view of being open to hearing from the other side. I am open to hearing God's voice and also signs from loved ones who have passed. I believe that I have had both and though its hard to explain, it is real. Reggie's candid descriptions are brave and a great testament to the love of God.

What about Eric G. Dove’s performance did you like?

Great job

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

many moments that spoke directly to me. Suicide- not being judged by God as an unforgivable sin, depression as a disease similar to diabetes are helpful for my healing process.

Any additional comments?

This book is a great Christian alternative to looking into mediums who claim to be able to contact the other side. As a Christian grieving the loss of a child, looking for comfort, this book was salve to my soul. Honestly, I have been fascinated by all books about people who claim to have information about the other side. This one, though, is so comforting without crossing that line of biblical vs. dark side. I admit a huge curiosity for mediums and their claims. How I would love to hear from my loved ones on the other side. Yet, biblical teaching stops me from pursuing that avenue. Reggie's awareness that the veil is thin is enough for me to feel hopeful that my loved ones are truly near. More than that, God's love is sufficient. He is trying to show us that daily if we would just listen and look around us. Also, being a Steven Curtis Chapman fan and having Chinese adoption in common, I connected with them even though they don't know me. I appreciate his music and their sharing for this book. It helps us all who grieve to share what we've learned with those who are also suffering. Thank you thank you thank you.

5 people found this helpful

boring!

What would have made Appointments with Heaven better?

There is very little about the hereafter, and far too much about the boring details of the doctor's own personal life - growing up, studying to be a doctor, raising his family and so on. I was VERY disappointed and felt the title was misleading. If you want to hear about the details of this doctor's life, you might enjoy it. If you want to hear about stories about the afterlife, buy another book.

What could Reggie Anderson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Focused on the afterlife and not his own personal life story.

What didn’t you like about Eric G. Dove’s performance?

It was remarkably terrible the way he tried to sound like a woman. Kind of insulting to me to listen to as the corny acting made women sound stupid.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Appointments with Heaven?

Almost 80 percent. He'd have to write a different book.

Any additional comments?

The title is false advertising. It should read "My Life as a Doctor." At first I just thought this guy's ego was as big as a house, telling all the boring details of his life growing up and so on. But clearly this is a good man, just not anyone who knows how to write a book.

5 people found this helpful

Eric G. Dove is amazing to listen to.

Where does Appointments with Heaven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best books I've listened to. Eric Dove does an amazing job of telling the story and keeping my interest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Appointments with Heaven?

Reggie Anderson's trip to Heaven.

Which character – as performed by Eric G. Dove – was your favorite?

Reggie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I'd love to listen in one sitting but I don't want the book to end.

Any additional comments?

I will definitely purchasing more books narrated by Eric Dove. Very entertaining.

5 people found this helpful

Not a dull moment during the entire 9 hours!

If you could sum up Appointments with Heaven in three words, what would they be?

Adventurous, exciting, and deeply moving!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The blind patient who "saw" the angels coming for her hospital roommate.

Which scene was your favorite?

So many favorites, that I can't name just one!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried throughout the 9 hours of listening!

Any additional comments?

I praise God for this book!

4 people found this helpful

Hard to Put Down - Very Believable

What made the experience of listening to Appointments with Heaven the most enjoyable?

Dr. Anderson's own story made the book most interesting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Reggie Anderson. His humor and honesty.

Have you listened to any of Eric G. Dove’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened to any others, but he is terrific!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried at some parts and actually laughed at some.

Any additional comments?

Great story. I think the Audible edition is a must-have!

4 people found this helpful

Heaven and my son!

This was an amazing book for me my 25 year old son passed away 3 years ago at the age of 25 he was a believer! Reggie's life experiences and Faith brought such comfort to me I can't wait to go to Heaven!

3 people found this helpful

Lana

It was a heart warming story ... Well told and very interesting to listen to...most entertaining and teaches you a different way to think!

3 people found this helpful