90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life

This book is truely inspirational. When I first started reading this book it captured my attention to the point I could not put it down. The fact that it is a true story is intriuging. It is very well written. The author almost makes you feel as if you are right beside him step by step. I would reccommend this book to anyone.

I also think the title of this book is misleading. This book was given to me as a gift after my parents were in a car accident (Easter Sunday 2006) that killed my father, and left my mother seriously injured. I couldn't bring myself to read it until now. What a let-down. I expected to read about a heavenly experience, and instead read about the trials and tribulations of a pain-staking recovery. Most offensive is the reference to Hell and how many of us seem to be headed in that direction. Hmmmmm - interesting. No offense to Don or his fellow Baptist ministers, but the only judgement I am worried about is that of God. If you want spiritual uplifting, try reading The Shack. Although fiction, it made me feel closer to God, and gave me this intense desire to nurture my relationship with Him.

Don Piper truly and sincerely relates his "death" as a result of a head-on collision with an eighteen-wheeler in January of 1989. As the story goes, Don was left for dead for 90 minutes while EMT's and rescue crews cleared through the horrific rubble of the accident. Piper's account of heaven is soothing and welcoming as he first encounters his grandfather and then other family and friends that had been taken in death prior to his arrival. The majority of the book talks of Don's painful recovery and delves deeply into describing the bone growth device (Ilizarov) used to help save his severely damaged leg. Don is a Baptist minister and very devoted to his position and his faith. I was greatly impressed with the last chapter of the book where he states "he does not have to defend his experience, he knows what he experienced." We are all free to believe or not believe, however, I can only hope and pray that Don is correct in his description of heaven. It all comes down to the bible and our faith. This book is a comforting read, particularly if an individual is dealing with illness and/or near death. Read it and believe what you may; it could help bring you inner peace.

My uncle lost his wife of nearly 50 years to cancer in February 2008. He has really been feeling down and out until the doctor told him to read this book. After purchasing this book, my uncle has a better outlook on life and death. Great purchase and would recommend to anyone that has lost one.

Overall, I thought this book was ok. Not great, but ok.

The title is decieving. Very little of the book is about heaven. Instead it is simply a testimony of a man who had a near death experience of being in heaven, and how he recovered from his injuries and shared his expeiences. It is a good story and a quick read, but not necessarily something I would recommend to my friends as well-written or as good theology.