EDITOR’S CHOICE
Profound, thought-provoking, and deeply moving—Stairway to Heaven offers hope, insight, and a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of the afterlife.
AJ Parr’s Stairway to Heaven is an intriguing exploration of near-death experiences (NDEs) that attempts to uncover the common threads linking these extraordinary accounts. With a journalistic approach, Parr interviews over two dozen individuals who claim to have glimpsed the afterlife, presenting their stories in a way that is both compelling and thought-provoking.
The accounts vary widely—some feature traditional depictions of Heaven, while others describe unique and deeply personal encounters. The book includes testimonies from an ex-police officer who underwent a life review, a doctor who heard God’s voice during a plane crash, and an Army veteran whose experience with Jesus left him transformed. While each story differs in its details, recurring elements such as a radiant light, overwhelming love, and messages of spiritual growth emerge throughout.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to balance faith with open inquiry. Parr does not push a singular theological viewpoint but instead allows the experiences to speak for themselves, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions. The inclusion of additional cases from the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation adds further depth to the study.
While some may find the accounts uplifting and affirming, sceptics might question the subjective nature of such experiences. Nonetheless, for those interested in the mysteries of the afterlife or seeking comfort in the notion of an existence beyond death, Stairway to Heaven provides a compelling read. Engaging and well-researched, it invites readers to consider life’s greatest question: what happens when we die?
