The Last Frontier

Starred review from November 19, 2012
Death. We fear it, we plan for it, we do all we can to forestall its coming. And yet, neither faith nor science can keep death from grabbing hold of each one of us. Social historian Assante, who is also a medium, has penned what may be the most important book on the enigma of death since the groundbreaking work of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Some will disagree with Assante's conclusions that there is life after death, and that the living can communicate with those who have passed on. She buttresses her arguments with numerous accounts of near-death experiences and reported communication with the dead. Add to this a concise but fascinating survey of how the ancients viewed death, the nature of sin and salvation, and the pervasive belief in reincarnation, and the result is a body of evidence that merits serious discussion. All of this culminates in a fascinating question: "What would the world be like without the fear of death?" Perhaps a world filled with loving, nurturing, positive, life-affirming people? An outstanding read.

November 15, 2012
Assante is a bit unusual. Not only is she a medium; she has a PhD from Columbia, and her focus of study is Near Eastern history. That puts her in a position to understand the death traditions of the ancient world, and, of course, as a medium, she can speak directly to the dead. Even if not every reader believes that, Assante's book offers many fascinating insights into death and dying. She covers not only near-death experiences but also discusses reincarnation, what death feels like, ways to empower yourself to a good death, and the role of religion in death practices. There is also much here about communicating with the dead, including plenty of anecdotal evidence. The conversational style and insider information make this easy to read, and though skeptics might laugh, those inclined to believe will find this account both comforting and useful. And, on more of a global level, the book's concluding chapter, What Would the World Look Like without the Fear of Death?, is insightful and thought-provoking.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)