|
|
Otherworld Journeys; Accounts of Near-death Experience in Medieval and Modern Times
Carol Zaleski
Zaleski, Carol: Otherworld Journeys; Accounts of Near-death Experience in Medieval and Modern Times, Oxford Univ. Press 1987 ISBN:0-19-503915-7 275pp
Purpose of this study is to "examine the return from death story in two widely separated settings, Medieval Christendom and modern secular and pluralistic society." Writings from the middle ages are compared to those of several of the leading NDE proponents of the 1980s. It is a very thorough and interesting examination. It shows how gradually over a few thousand years, religion took over the shamanic art of otherworld voyaging, put a punitive motif to it, and then how this changed in the 20th century, secular Western society. It is nicely written and very interesting but a book that is written by a scholar for those who have (or wish to have) more than a passing knowledge of the subject. You will find that you are saying, "Gosh...I didnt know that..." which is often the case when reading history that is factual, well researched and well written. For the foot notes and the bibliography alone this book is worth looking at, full of fascinating insights and facts.
|
|
|
|
