Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but not for true seekers
Review: This book succeeds in entertaining. Unfortunately, if one is looking for answers to the "meaning of life", Sylvia claims to have the answers but, in reality, she is enteraining you.The best thing about Sylvia is that she speaks in a straight-forward manner. She could be an honorary New Yorker. If you have seen her on TV or in person, she is very up-front and engaging. She writes like she speaks. This work is an effort to convince you of her view of the other side. If you bite, she'll even do a reading for you ... very costly! Listed as non-fiction... but it would be difficult to discern if it is another marketing tool or truth. This book gave me the distinct impression that it is more about profitting Sylvia and less about giving me truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Eye opening
Review: This book really was enlightening. I really connected with Sylvia's message. It was neat reading this book because for the first time my beliefs matched up with someone elses. This book changed my life for good.
Rating:
Summary: My Favourite
Review: This book by Sylvia is my favourite. I love the way she describes the other side for those of us who don't remember. I could read this book over and over and still find something new to discuss with one of my friends. I thank Francine for telling Sylvia all this and I thank my best friend for getting me the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Happy Meal
Review: Being open-minded does not mean suspension of the critical faculty. Most metaphysical questions are not worth quibbling about, but when an author comes along and offers a minutely detailed account of the afterlife, it's eminently fair to point out her inconsistencies. Sylvia Browne claims again and again that she is "skeptical," "addicted to research," and that everything she writes is the result of "exhaustive" study. Fair enough - extraordinary claims require extraordinary support. But apparently Browne does not think her fans are sophisticated enough to appreciate her intellectual labors. The book does not contain a bibliography or a single footnote, and every one of her "case studies" is anecdotal; the rest is revelation and faith. There's nothing wrong with faith, but if you're going to tease your readers with claims of scientific accuracy, or boost your credibility with claims of rationalism and academic integrity, you ought to be able to deliver. If that were the only problem with this book, it would still get a passing grade as one of many viable contenders for a unified vision of the afterlife. However, Life on the Other Side is fraught with inconsistencies and absurdities that cannot be ignored. To list them all would be pedantic, but a few examples should suffice. First, Browne claims that there is no death and no war on the other side. She also claims that many of the landmarks on earth - the Taj Mahal, the pyramids, the Great Wall of China - are actually replicas of structures that originally existed on the other side. She does not explain why the Taj Mahal and the pyramids, which are elaborate tombs, were built in a place that knows no death. Speaking of the pyramids, Browne states that one of her hypnosis subjects, in a past life, was a 7th century B.C. Assyrian laborer who worked on the pyramids (using anti-gravitational devises no less!). What? The pyramids were all completed by the end of the third millennium B.C.! As for the Great Wall, this magnificent structure makes perfect sense in the context of an earthly medieval China plagued by barbarians. But why would a world that knows no wars ever undertake such an extensive project of military engineering? Does Browne think her readers are so unsophisticated that they won't notice these discrepancies? If logical explanations exist, why doesn't she tell us? Surely, if a fact as trivial as the exact temperature (a uniform 78 degrees) is worth reporting (and repeating), then these other problems at least deserve a sentence or two. In describing the landscape of the other side (which is a mirror image of Earth in its pristine state), Browne reverently observes that there is no erosion, no natural disasters, and that the mountains are as lofty as they were when God created them. She waxes poetic when she describes the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs. Oh yeah, and there's no sun, moon, stars or weather - just ambient light. Sounds pretty. But how did those cliffs get rugged without erosion from the waves? How did the waves get there without the gravitational pull of the moon to generate the tides and no weather to whip up the whitecaps? How did those mountains get there without the violence of plate tectonics and volcanism to raise them? I suppose all of this could be chalked up to "God's will," but that answer seems a little evasive in light of the scientific language Browne uses to explain other phenomena. The other side is apparently another "dimension" and our ability to see into it involves tuning into a "higher vibration." This sounds a little like physics, but in fact it is not. I know some new age fans think this stuff can be explained by quantum mechanics, but I assure you it can't. Even string theory (the current leading candidate for the Theory of Everything), which talks a lot about vibrations and multiple dimensions, has absolutely nothing to say about astral travel, cellular memory or the immortality of the soul. Put down the Deepak Chopra and read In Search of Schroedinger's Cat by John Gribbin and The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene if you're curious. I've got to stop myself soon, but I can't let this slip by: The catalog of life themes at the end of the book has an entry for "Justice." Apparently, when God is at the center of this life theme, a person will be a positive force for justice in the world like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandella, or Clarence Darrow. For heaven's sake! Clarence Darrow? The atheist? Has she ever read him? Mr. Darrow might be surprised to find out that God is at the center of his life theme. Also, towards the beginning of the book, when she lists those authors who influenced her spiritual and philosophical development, Browne names Bertrand Russell. Apparently Sylvia didn't read his stuff too closely either, but I hope all of you will. And while you're at it, pick up the Bible. Sylvia Browne claims familiarity with "all 26 versions" - why should her followers be any less knowledgeable? When you're done with that, read the Koran, the Talmud, the Laws of Manu and the Buddhist Scriptures. Read the Golden Bough and some Jungian psychology. Put it all into context by studying philosophy, history and anthropology. And don't consider your education complete until you've sampled the secular humanists. If you get this far, you will realize that Sylvia Browne's vision and style are insipid pastiche. Life on the Other Side is to spirituality what a Happy Meal is to a filet mignon.
Rating: 
Summary: Still a sceptic....but a more open minded one
Review: Okay, so I have to work on my spiritual side. I have been searching for YEARS to find a form of spiritualism that I feel comfortable with. I have searched into dozens of religious doctranes, all which have ultimately left me more confused and empty. After reading this book, I most admit I am still a sceptic, and find many of Sylvias claims to be really hard to believe. Yet, on the other hand, I really loved what she had to say, I loved her version of the "other side. Just the thought that my most beloved pets who are no longer with me are waiting for me to return Home brings such warmth and joy to my heart that I want to believe this is true. This is really an excellent book, and I recommend it to believers and non-believers too. If you have an open heart and an open mind it will at least make you think. Even though in my mind I still believe that death is like the ultimate sleep with no afterlife, my heart wants to believe Sylvia is RIGHT!
This most ironic thing about it is that I picked up this book two days before the World Trade Center were destroyed. I am TERRIFIED of death and this book was a great comfort to me. I am not as afraid of dying now.
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Read and Introduction to Life After Death
Review: First, I must thank my friend, Stacie H., for recommending this book to me, about a year ago. (See my Profile Page for Her great reviews of Sylvia Browne books). I thought, for a long time, that these books would not measure-up to the previous books I have read, concerning the Afterlife and the Physics involved with Life after Death. I have been studying this sort of thing for a very long time and I have been Psychic, since Birth. I have read Tarot Cards for ten years and I have been seeing Ghosts all my life. I learned to Astral Travel, from a book called "Instant ESP," also ten years ago. Therefore, I feel I should give THIS (Sylvia) book a nod, with Respect ! Even after studying piles and piles of thick "egghead" books and books that correlate Travel on the Other Side with Physics, I truly believe that Sylvia has expressed the basic concepts and Truth of The Afterlife, in a Concise, Easy to Read, Easy to Digest format ! One need-not sit down with a pile of occult texts and Quantum Physics books to understand Why and How it all works, when Sylvia gives a very good Synopsis of the Basic Concepts. However, listening to Deepak Chopra's tapes, such as "Journey to The Boundless" is a Great way to understand HOW all the things Sylvia talks about are possible (and Scientific) ! I find her description of The Afterlife / Astral World to be written much the same way a person would Describe ALL of Europe, after Only Traveling to France--but, aside from this very structured description, from a singular viewpoint, it still stands to Truth. However, I honestly believe not Everyone will see things Exactly the same way, or go through the Exact same proceedure upon Crossing-over. Yet, for beginners and people of All Faiths, this is a GREAT Introduction to the Afterlife, in a more Common-Sense approach, than we are taught in church. I absolutely LOVE her explanation of the Reality of Heaven, vs. the things we are Indoctrinated to believe about Heaven !!! I found my favorite new quote, in this book, as well--when I read Sylvia's opinions about Humans NOT needing a "message carrier" to moderate with God for us !!! (Amen). No one needs a "go-between" to carry messages to God. One only needs to speak Directly to The Big Guy/Gal, on a personal level. Priests need-not apply. I am very, very happy to see someone admitting the Truth--esp., after being Indoctrinated with a certain belief system that Stresses the Necessity of having a moderator Dividing us from God and Interpreting for us. Bravo ! She should get ten stars, for being so bold as to speak the Truth. I honestly believe she was writing from the Heart, in many instances. In fact, during my own Psychic Investigations, I have always noted that when something about Ghosts / Hauntings is True, I get a certain series of Chills, Gooseflesh, etc. in my body and it feels as-if someone passes through me. As I read a Touching story in this book, that Truth Test happenend to me! So, as far as I am concerned, this book receives the Psychic Seal of Approval (but, I don't have any fancy Certificates to prove it--just 30 years of Real-Life Experience). I strongly recommend people of All Faiths to read this book. This is a Wonderful Starting Point, for a Journey into the Mysteries of Life After Death ! Well-Done!
Rating:
Summary: Now I know why we are here!
Review: I've always said about our world: "Is this the BEST God could do?! What is the point of all this suffering?" Now I know that on the Other Side is our true Home--a pristine Earth with no pollution, erosion, violence, starvation, predators, or insects. We come here to experience negativity and overcome it so that our Soul heals and grows. I couldn't put this book down! I even read it while I walked. It explains levels of angels, ghosts, time & space, birth, and death. "Dying" means going Home. As soon as I finished it, I returned it to the friend who loaned it to me and ordered my own hardback copy to keep.Then I read mine using a highlighter and writing in the margins. Like the movies "Ghost" and a"What Dreams May Come," I get something new each time I read it! This book is lifechanging.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Comforting & Hopeful Book to Read
Review: I am a big fan of Sylvia's. I love watching her on the talk shows and reading her books. This book is a very comforting book to read. She goes into great detail to explain what life on the other side (home, as she calls it) is all about. When times down here on earth get tough (as they definitely do) or you lose a loved one and need comfort, this is a great book. I am not proud to say this, but I am not a church-going person (although I am christain and do believe in god). I am at the point in my life where I need a little spirituality from someone I feel is trustworthy. Sylvia's books are great. She talks about god being all loving (not vengeful like the old testament). She talks about 'home' (life on the other side) being a perfect temperature with amazing marble buildings and gorgeous gardens. She just goes into sooo, sooo much detail, it's wonderful. It actually makes you feel a little 'homesick' for it (please note; I said a little). She also goes into good detail on astral projections and dreaming! I could go on and on, but it's a lovely book if you are a believer and a fan of Sylvia's.
Rating:
Summary: The Gifted Sylvia Browne
Review: I am a huge Sylvia Browne fan and I was dismayed to read some of the reviews that people have posted on this web site that appear to assume that Sylvia Browne is "just out to make money". Specifically the one that feels they need to be "convinced"!!Again we must remember that Sylvia does not write books to "convince" anyone to believe what she writes about. We must all remember the term "faith" that everything you read (and she herself has written this) you take to heart what makes sense to you. We must not assume that everyone who will read this book already knows that life is based on love as one editorial wrote that "everyone knows that"! What about people who are just embarking on their journey to understand the soul and the meaning of life? This person who wrote the editorial assumes that everyone knows this. This person accuses Sylvia of just trying to make money off of people. I am personally offended by this total assumption and judgement. If you research further into Sylvia Browne and research other books she has written, for example the "Journey of the Soul Series" you will find that Sylvia is part of an organized churh of gnosticism where she has hundreds and hundreds of devout followers who share her views. She has a huge following only because people connect with what she has to say. She does not write her books to convince anyone, she writes what she feels in her heart to be true based upon her own personal experiences, who are we to discount her? People need to respect that and if you do not get anything from it then more power to you in finding another author or path that you can connect with. People who connect with what Sylvia Browne speaks of in this book should read all three of her books in the "Journey of the Soul" series I highly reccommend it. Remember Sylvia does not necessarily enjoy being on TV and doing readings for people but it is her gift and many people want her to do readings she does this out of love and not for money, she is not a millionaire by any means. Please try to read her books with an open mind and non judgement and respect what she has to say. If you feel it's complete trash then that is fine as well but let's not assume or make personal judgements on someone as gifted as Sylvia Browne.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting but Unconvincing
Review: After reading most of this book and then looking her up on the web, I'm unconvinced that she has any real motive at heart except to make a lot of money off of people who are hurting, curious, or downright gullable. It's not that I totally dismiss the possibility some of her ideas being true. In fact, I think some of them probably have some interesting potential. But they aren't so profound or mysterious that we can't figure them out on our own. I mean, who does NOT get that every spiritual journey in life comes down to LOVE. Unless we are really messed up, deep down, we all know that this is what life boils down to. In this books, she tries to come up with an explanation for just about every possible question people have about the afterlife. She addresses the appalling tendency of our society to want the answer given to us because we don't want to work to learn and grow. To do this, she gives minute details (and pictures!) of what the "Other Side" looks like, feels like, smells like. Eveything down to the temperature (a perfect 78 degrees). She truly understand how desperate most people are for answers, and answers that are easy to come by and understand. And she exploits that understanding of human nature. The problem with this is that it is so easy to want to believe what she says. Instead, we would probably be better off by forging our own unique spiritual path that has meaning for our own lives. Depending on someone else's cheesy picture of heaven when we each have the spirit in us, calling for attending, simply seems strange. Bottom line, I think this book and her work in this life are about making money. And she knows how to do it. If, as she claims, we all have some chart that we make up before coming into this life that details all the goals and lessons we want to learn, and if it's true that after this life we get to replay all that we do in this life and ultimately judge our performance, then I'm fairly convinced that when she gets there, she's going to regret manipulating and taking advantage of some many people.
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