Books (December 2006)

Kelly Bulkeley and Patricia Bulkley.  Dreaming Beyond Death:  A Guide to Pre-Death Dreams and Visions.  Boston:  Beacon Press, 2005.   160 pp.   $14.00  11 pp refs

Dreams about death and dying are common in many cultures. Kelly Bulkeley and Patricia Bulkley provide their specialized expertise in the area of pre-death dreams and visions, [with their intrepretations for those who are dying.  The authors start their exploration by looking at the common beliefs and themes around death and dreams held by cultures around the world.  This helps to understand the common patterns in dreams that are shared and reflected in the lives of people universally. The authors draw upon experts in psychology, anthropology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology.  

The authorsidentify three main themes with regard to dreams and dying.  The first theme entails a journey, which is metophorical for the dreamers and their lives.  These have a deepening effect, illustrating the importance of the life story of the one who is dying...
    (Read more in the latest issue of IJHC)
Book review by Deborah Pratt
MBA, BSJ, Holos University Graduate Seminary Doctoral Student


If you are looking for a small gift for the holidays, you might consider the miniaturized editions of Burton Silver and Heather Busch, Why Cats Paint and Why Paint Cats, Berkeley/ Toronto: Ten Speed Press. Reviewed in Newsletter (now reincarnated as this eZine)  Volume 3, No. 1.