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by Ian Stevenson
"Fascinating and compelling...significant...." Journal of Scientific Exploration
"Excellent...fascinating and compelling...distinct
potential for profoundly changing our way of understanding the nature of human existence
and death."
Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research
"This is the revised edition of Dr. Stevenson’s 1987 book, summarizing for general readers almost forty years of experience in the study of children who claim to remember previous lives. For many Westerners the idea of reincarnation seems remote and bizarre; it is the author’s intent to correct some common misconceptions. New material relating to birthmarks and birth defects, independent replication studies with a critique of criticisms, and recent developments in genetic study are included. The work gives an overview of the history of the belief in and evidence for reincarnation. Representative cases of children, research methods used, analyses of the cases and of variations due to different cultures, and the explanatory value of the idea of reincarnation for some unsolved problems in psychology and medicine are reviewed."
See Table of Contents.
by Geoffrey A. Farthing
"One of H.P. Blavatsky's Theosophical Masters (Koot Hoomi) gave a detailed account of what happens to a human being between death and rebirth in his letters (1882-1883) to the English Theosophist A.P. Sinnett."
"Mr. Farthing has collected and organized all this material in one handy volume adding helpful commentary and definitions. Some of the subjects covered are: Dying and Soon After; the Death Struggle and Gestation State; the Second Death and Devachan; Rebirth and Karma; Suicides and Accidents; and the Ego and Immortality."
by Quincy Howe, Jr.
"The question is frequently asked if one can believe in reincarnation and remain a Christian. The answer according to the author, a Christian scholar, is: Absolutely!"
"To back up his claim, Dr. Howe cites chapter and verse from the Bible that clearly indicates an understanding and acceptance of the rebirth theory. He examines the evolution of Christian thought over the centuries, pinpointing the historical episode during which the concept of reincarnation was outlawed by the Christian hierarchy."
by Geddes MacGregor
"In this landmark work, MacGregor delves into the annals of Christian history to demonstrate that Christian doctrine and reincarnation are not mutually exclusive belief systems."
"Anyone who thinks of himself or herself as 'Christian' by orientation but who finds popular ideas of heaven and hell untenable is likely to welcome this book, written by an Anglican (Episcopal) priest. Fr. MacGregor explains that the concept of reincarnation has a long and distinguished tradition in Christendom and that it remains a highly respectable (and totally logical) way of explaining the obvious inequities of this world, while allowing us to escape from the absurdity of supposing that human beings come only once to earth. This book will be liberating for those who, while attracted to Christianity in an overall sense, nevertheless balk at the simplistic 'Christian' notion that we go (finally) either to heaven or to hell when we die, without opportunity for further growth."
by Norman L. Geisler and J. Yutaka Amano
"One in every four Americans believes in reincarnation according to a recent Gallup poll. Why does our society have such a growing preoccupation with death and 'past-life experiences'?"
"Authors Norman L. Geisler and J. Yutaka Amano conclude that among the reasons for the popularity and influence of reincarnation philosophy are the rapid rise of the New Age Movement and society's fascination with Eastern thought. They examine cases of spontaneous past-life recall and point out alternative explanations for these phenomena."
"Ultimately, 'The Reincarnation Sensation' shows that the doctrine of reincarnation is contrary to the Bible's teaching about eternal life and incompatible with the Christian faith."
by D. Scott Rogo
"The author conceives of this work as a critical and scientific examination of the reincarnation question. It also provides an overview of the various kinds of evidence indicative of reincarnation. There are chapters on the historical evidence—primarily cases of past life recall, spontaneous cases of past life recall (dreams, waking visions, deja vu); some of the cases investigated by Ian Stevenson; Stevenson's research methodology; hypnotic age regression; xenoglossy; past-life therapy; and psychedelic drugs and past-life recall."
"In the final chapter Rogo presents some explanatory models that can account for the evidence. He grants that "some people can tap into the memories of other people, cultures, and places long removed in time" (p. x), but proposes that what the evidence is pointing to might be something more complex than our traditional views of reincarnation" Rhea White.
Rogo's preferred "explanatory model" is given below in his own words:
"I believe that the human personality survives death, but this is not the same as positing the existence of an immortal soul. But just what is this 'personality' that survives? We cannot really speak about personality without also speaking about our memory, for personality is simply the sum of our memories and our behavioral dispositions. So what really survives death is a personalized network of memories. It is a moot point whether any spark of divinity (a 'soul') lies within this network. It probably retains its individuality and consciousness. During our lives after death we would probably be linked to our deceased relatives and friends in a huge interpersonal matrix. In time, we shed our individuality and merge totally into this more impersonal field, thereby experiencing a blissful annihilation."
"This general conception of the afterlife ties in mutually with the whole concept of reincarnation. A developing embryo can become linked with one or more of these surviving personality constellations...." Click here to read the rest of Rogo's comments on this "explanatory model."
by Paul Edwards
"Paul Edwards brings his usual incisiveness, clarity, and wit to bear on ancient beliefs that underlie much of the fuzzy thinking of the New Age movement. He deftly exposes the philosophical and practical deficiencies of the concept of Karma and provides a trenchant critique of the evidence in favor of reincarnation." Barry Beyerstein.
"Edwards, noted philosopher and editor of the definitive Encyclopedia of Philosophy (1967), tackles the concepts of reincarnation and karma with erudition, energy, and wit. Some of the eschatological flaws he finds are rarely discussed in writings by proponents. Edwards examines the evidence that supports reincarnation -- dejavu, child prodigies, hypnotic regressions and progressions, birthmarks, spontaneous memories, and near-death experiences -- and discovers that all is easily accounted for by other scenarios. The Bridey Murphy case, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Raymond Moody, and Stanislav Grof are subjected to some shattering criticism. Only Dr. Ian Stevenson, who has investigated the subject since the early 1970s, gets credit for professionalism and integrity, if not flawless methodology. Skeptic and reincarnationist alike will find this book enjoyable and challenging."
"In this first comprehensive and systematic evaluation of reincarnation and Karma, renowned philosopher Paul Edwards exposes the many flaws in the arguments supporting the belief in reincarnation and the so-called Law of Karma. He also covers the alleged evidence in support of reincarnation, including child prodigies, deja vu experiences, hypnotic regressions, and 'reincarnation memories'...."
For a 28 page detailed critique of Edward's book, see the essay titled "A Critique of Arguments Offered Against Reincarnation" by philosopher Robert Almeder in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, Volume 11, Number 4, Winter, 1997, pp. 499-526. "...This essay [by Almeder] criticizes the main arguments, methodology and polemics [which Paul Edwards] wielded in what is more an effort to debunk than to carry out the critical examination claimed in the title of the book." Also in this same issue (pp. 570-574) is a book review of Edward's book written by the parapsychologist James G. Matlock. To purchase this Winter 1997 issue, see ordering information.
by Jim B. Tucker
This book has not yet been published. Available September 2005.
“Jim Tucker gives us a clear, concise and eminently rational insight into a 40 year investigation of what is unquestionably the best evidence for the existence of reincarnation. We are lucky to have in him a worthy successor to Ian Stevenson." Tom Shroder, author of Old Souls: Compelling Evidence From Children Who Remember Past Lives
"For the past forty years, doctors at the University of Virginia Medical Center have conducted research into young children’s reports of past-life memories. Dr. Ian Stevenson, the founder of this work, has always written for a scientific audience. Now, in this provocative and fascinating book, Dr. Jim B. Tucker, a child psychiatrist who currently directs the research, shares these studies with the general public."
"Researchers have studied more than 2500 such cases, and their careful investigations have produced an impressive body of work. JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, stated in a review of one of Dr. Stevenson’s scientific books that, 'in regard to reincarnation he has painstakingly and unemotionally collected a detailed series of cases . . . in which the evidence is difficult to explain on any other grounds.' "
"Dr. Tucker presents this material in a straightforward
way, relating extraordinary stories that have been amassed with a scientific approach. He
then considers how best to interpret the evidence, and he lets readers reach their own
conclusions—which, for many, will be profound."
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