Book Review: 90 Minutes in Heaven

90 Minutes in Heaven

The Entertainment Critic Book Review By James Myers
90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN-By Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
Published by Fleming H. Revell
A Division of Baker Publishing
205 Pages
ISBN-10 # 0-8007-5949-4 (pbk)
(Four Star Rating)****


“When I died, I didn't flow through a long, dark tunnel. I had no sense of fading away or coming back. I never felt my body being transported into the light. I heard no voices calling to me or anything else. A light enveloped me, with brilliance beyond earthly comprehension.”

“In my next moment of awareness, I was standing in heaven.”

Joy pulsed through me as I looked around, and at that moment I became aware of a large crowd of people. They stood in front of a brilliant orange gate. I had no idea how far away they were; such things as distance didn’t matter. As the crowd rushed towards me, I didn’t see Jesus, but I did see people I had known. As they surged toward me, I knew instantly that all of them had died during my lifetime. Their presence seemed absolutely natural.”


On January 18, 1989, Don Piper, a Baptist minister, was driving his Ford Escort on a rickety bridge in Texas. An inmate on work release driving a truck coming in the other direction, crossed the line, and at a high rate of speed smashed the Escort, apparently killing the driver instantly. For the next 90 minutes, Don Piper appeared to all observers to be dead. What Don describes in this book is his miraculous journey to heaven and back to earth. His descriptions of his observations in Heaven are realistic and vivid. This is done in eye-opening detail.
What is more inspirational is not only Don’s recovery, but also his continued ministry and his ability to help and inspire other people that have suffered similar injuries and loss in their lives. He endured 34 surgeries, and a grueling recovery period. This book has the tremendous aspect of self-discovery. Constantly, Piper seems to question, why did this happen to me? Where is the good that comes from this? We learn with Don that his purpose to advise and help others who have experienced similar tragedies and to bring peace and hope to those that have none. You cannot help but identify with the questions of why am I here? Why has my life taken this path? What is the purpose, if any, of my progression? There is much food for thought here. With the experience of our own pain, there is a natural connection with the pain and indecision of others. Don has found a way to take his experience and make a positive contribution. We celebrate his triumphs with him in this inspiring book. This true story of overcoming life limitations and making our path in life work for the public good is the best part of this book.

This book has gone through 31 printings and is still one of the best selling paperbacks in the World. There is great hope and inspiration here for all of us, but particularly those people that are recovering from serious injuries and the loss of a loved one. An interesting read, I recommend the book.



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Thought provoking book for Christians & skeptics alike!

My sister gave me this book after the passing of a loved one. I was so comforted and inspired by it, I purchased additional copies for friends. It confirmed and revived my faith in the beliefs I already have as a Christian. However, I think even skeptics, or those "on the fence" about religion would find it thought-provoking and inspiring as well. Don Piper tells his story in such an honest and humble way. He doesn't speak of a light at the end of a long dark tunnel, floating, or any of the stereotypical accounts of near death experiences. A one-of-a-kind, thought-provoking and wonderfully inspiring TRUE story of one man's journey to Heaven and back -- a MUST read!

An Incredible Journey of Overcoming!

As a born-again Christian I have long been interested in after-death experiences and have read several accounts by individuals to whom it has happened. Never in my life, however, have I ever read of someone who suffered such catastrophic injuries and was sent back from heaven to tell about it. Don Piper's car was run over and literally smashed to pieces by a semi-truck, with him still in it. This is the true story of Don Piper's mental, emotional and physical agony after he was sent back to earth, his anger, doubt and longing to return to Heaven so he could leave the suffering behind. To have survived the unbelievable, excruciating pain he endured at the beginning of his hospital stay, and throughout all the years of subsequent medical intervention, is literally a miracle in itself! This book is a frank and honest account of how he eventually reached the point of acceptance, how he overcame incredible odds to reach the plateau where he continues to serve Jesus Christ through his testimony and as a pastor. In spite what he has been through and the pain he still endures daily as a result of his injuries, Don Piper has a remarkably positive outlook and attitude. Like a beacon shining in the dark, his message conveys hope that if you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you have something to look forward to when you reach heaven that beggars all description. This one thing he has in common with all others who have written after-death accounts: There is no possible way to describe adequately what awaits us there. Not in any language of the world, not with any descriptive phrase or word. The beauty, the peace, the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be described in the earthly terms we use, but Don Piper has succeeded in painting a word picture that gives me even more hope than I had before. As a general rule life is is tough, but one thing I learned from this book that stands out above all else is that my suffering has been so minimal compared to Don Piper's. I fervently hope I am no longer a whiner; if Piper could survive what he has with his faith intact, I have no right to complain about my lot in life--ever again. There is also a revelation toward the end of the book that knocked my socks off. It was entirely unexpected and is quite possibly the best part of the book, as far as I am concerned. I highly recommend "90 Minutes in Heaven"; you wont't regret buying it for one minute. I believe at the very least you will be terribly grateful you have not had to endure what Don Piper has, and at most you will be inspired and uplifted.

This has become my absolute favorite book!

I highly recommend the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey. To say that this is a spectacular read would not do this book justice. It is one of great wonder, mixed with a little suspense, and the comfort of hope and peace. For anyone afraid of dying, and particularly what happens afterward, this book is perfect. I would encourage you to read this and be drawn into Don Piper’s personal account of what happened to him as he vividly describes his life altering experience of dying and coming back to life again. Piper’s accident was in 1989, and it has taken this long for him to candidly tell the story of being pronounced dead at the scene of his accident, his journey in heaven, and then 90 minutes later being brought back to life again only to struggle in intense pain, and intense emotions of regret and depression. Then finally the humbling revelation that his experience was not all in vain, but one that he could use to benefit and help others, and to glorify God. I started reading this book on a flight from the Midwest to California for a three day business trip, and I could not put it down. By the time I returned home, I had completely read it and was recommending it to others. To view the video of an excerpt of Piper’s interview, visit http://www.90minutesinheaven.c​om/.



Don Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven is a collaboration with writer and speaker, Cecil Murphey, who has written and co-authored over 104 books, some of which are being made into movies. Murphey has written with such personalities as Franklin Graham, B.J. Thomas and Shaun Alexander. If I enjoy a particular author, I always try finding more of that author’s works. I’m sure there are many readers who do the same, so to learn more about Cecil Murphey, or find more books written or co-authored by him, visit http://www.cecmurphy.com/.

90 Minutes in Heaven

This book had been highly recommended to me--and I was not disappointed--in fact, I have a long list of people to pass it on to. Even for those who are not avid readers, I would recommend this for much enlightenment. The first half of the book details this man's tragic automobile accident and the 90 minutes that he spent in heaven (was declared dead on the scene). To those that have a hope of eternal life, this man paints a beautiful picture of what is to come and brings peace in knowing that loved ones who have this hope that have gone on before us are in a better place just as the Bible says. For avid readers, read the entire book. For non-readers, please read the first five chapters (the last half of the book talks of his struggle with a difficult recovery both physically and emotionally--a little long/tough to get through. The first five chapters would only take half an hour to get through, so--a must read!!!