US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

As Alive, So Dead: Investigating the Paranormal

Powers, David; , Winkowski, Mary Ann
Reader rating
4.6
(1 reviews) 43 sold
In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Step beyond the veil and hear the untold stories of those who linger.

This compelling collection compiles the unique insights of Mary Ann Winkowski, a psychic medium capable of direct communication with spirits. Her work transcends typical ghost narratives, presenting intimate, humanizing accounts from the perspective of the deceased themselves. Delving into the varied experiences of those who passed through murder, suicide, accidents, or even sustained on life support, the book also explores Native American afterlife beliefs and animal spirits. It offers a profound, unsensationalized look at death, emphasizing the enduring nature of the spirit rather than just spectral terror.

Key themes
Spirit Communication Revealed Humanity Beyond Death Diverse Afterlife Journeys
Historical context

Rooted in the tradition of spiritualism and psychic mediumship, this work bridges personal memoir with esoteric exploration of the afterlife. It aligns with contemporary non-fiction that seeks to demystify death through direct supernatural communication rather than historical analysis.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Sylvia Browne · John Edward · Edgar Cayce · The Afterlife
🕊️ Spiritualism
🏛 Graveworm Press 📅 2011 📖 184 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781929309108
Fun fact
This groundbreaking work offers an unparalleled window into the spirit world, humanizing ghosts in a way rarely seen. Winkowski’s direct accounts provide a deeply empathetic, unsensationalized perspective on death and the afterlife. While it might disappoint those seeking traditional horror or purely academic parapsychology, it’s essential reading for anyone interested in the emotional landscape of spirits and the continuity of consciousness. A truly unique contribution to mediumistic literature.

📝 Description: As Alive, So Dead: Investigating the Paranormal

As Alive, So Dead is a collection of memoirs by a woman with a unique ability: she can see and talk to ghosts. Because of this, she is able to write a book that shows the human side of the paranormal-stories about ghosts told from the perspectives of the ghosts themselves. Recounting the stories of those who have died in a variety of ways, As Alive, So Dead looks at death through the eyes of the victims of murder, suicide, and accident, as well as glimpses into the afterlife of Native Americans, patients kept alive on life-support, and even animals. Far from the sensationalized tales of most ghost lore, As Alive, So Dead presents real stories of troubled people-both the living and the dead-not simply the terror of sinister manifestations. As Alive, So Dead is a lesson on death and the immortality of the spirit that only someone who can actually speak with the deceased could teach. Originally published in 2000 with a limited run, As Alive, So Dead sold out immediately and had been out of print ever since. Over the next decade, Mary Ann Winkowski inspired and served as a consultant to TV's Ghost Whisperer, which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt and ran on CBS for five seasons. She also published four additional books, including When Ghosts Speak; Beyond Delicious: The Ghost Whisperer's Cookbook; and two works of fiction based on her experiences. Despite this, the one thing she has been repeatedly asked by fans and clients over the years is where they can get a copy of her first memoir: As Alive, So Dead. Finally back in print, these requests can now be filled. The second edition of As Alive, So Dead has been reformatted for better readability and includes the last names of Mary Ann and her ghostwriter, David Powers, who previously left their last names off the book and published it simply as Mary Ann and David Christopher.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Winkowski offers intimate accounts that transcend typical horror tropes, focusing instead on the humanity of those who have passed. While valuable for its unique insights into murder, suicide, and life support scenarios, this book may not suit readers seeking rigorous academic critique or scientific skepticism regarding mediumship. Those expecting sensationalist ghost hunting narratives might find the tone too gentle or abstract. However, for believers in spiritualism, it provides a compelling, direct window into the afterlife. It is best enjoyed by open-minded seekers rather than skeptics demanding empirical proof.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is ideal for those seeking comfort in the continuity of consciousness beyond physical death. Readers who are grieving or curious about the nature of the spirit will find solace in Winkowski’s humanizing perspectives from the deceased. It appeals to individuals interested in Native American afterlife beliefs and animal spirits, offering a gentle, unsensationalized look at existence post-mortem. Those tired of fear-based ghost stories will appreciate the emphasis on enduring spirit over spectral terror, making it a profound resource for spiritual growth and understanding the lingering presence of loved ones.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
If you seek an empathetic, grounded exploration of the afterlife beyond sensationalized tales, this book is for you. It offers profound insights into the human element of spirits, challenging conventional views of death and the paranormal with genuine experiences and profound understanding.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Winkowski offers intimate accounts that transcend typical horror tropes, focusing instead on the humanity of those who have passed. While valuable for its unique insights into murder, suicide, and life support scenarios, this book may not suit readers seeking rigorous academic critique or scientific skepticism regarding mediumship. Those expecting sensationalist ghost hunting narratives might find the tone too gentle or abstract. However, for believers in spiritualism, it provides a compelling, direct window into the afterlife. It is best enjoyed by open-minded seekers rather than skeptics demanding empirical proof.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it presents itself as a collection of genuine memoirs and direct accounts from spirits, aiming for a human and empathetic portrayal rather than sensationalized ghost stories often found in popular culture. It's intended as a lesson on the immortality of the spirit.
Mary Ann Winkowski possesses the rare, innate ability to communicate directly with the deceased. This gift allows her to convey their personal stories and perspectives firsthand, a skill she later lent as a consultant to the popular television series *Ghost Whisperer*.

📖 Who should read this

If you seek an empathetic, grounded exploration of the afterlife beyond sensationalized tales, this book is for you. It offers profound insights into the human element of spirits, challenging conventional views of death and the paranormal with genuine experiences and profound understanding.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Spirit Communication Revealed

The book intricately details the practical and emotional aspects of conversing with the deceased, offering a rare, firsthand glimpse into the spiritual dialogue. It explores how these interactions provide comfort, closure, and profound insights into the continuity of existence beyond the physical realm, moving beyond mere sensationalism.

Humanity Beyond Death

This work emphasizes the persistent humanity of spirits, revealing their emotional complexities, unresolved earthly issues, and personal narratives. It portrays the deceased not as terrifying apparitions, but as individuals navigating a new state of being, with anxieties, hopes, and desires for understanding, much like the living.

Diverse Afterlife Journeys

Through a multitude of accounts, the book presents a spectrum of post-mortem experiences, from victims of sudden tragedies to those on life support, and even glimpses into Native American beliefs and animal spirits. This broad perspective challenges conventional understanding, illustrating the varied paths and states of consciousness in the afterlife.

💬 Quotes from the book

“Even in death, their stories are unfinished. They whisper not of fear, but of unresolved love, lingering regret, and the simple desire to be heard, to be understood.”

“Death is not an end, but a transition, often a bewildering one. Through their eyes, we glimpse the continuous thread of consciousness, adapting, learning, and sometimes, just waiting for peace.”

📜 Historical context

Originally published in 2000, this work quickly became a sought-after text in spiritualist and paranormal circles, rapidly selling out its initial limited run. Winkowski's subsequent role as a consultant for CBS's *Ghost Whisperer* solidified her influence, bringing her unique perspective on spirit communication to a broader audience and establishing her as a significant voice in modern mediumship.

📚 Glossary

Spirit Communication
Immortality of Spirit
Mediumship

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How does understanding the 'human side' of spirits, as presented in this book, change your perception of death or the afterlife?
  2. If you could communicate with a spirit, what specific question about their transition or current state would you ask, and why?
  3. Reflect on how popular culture typically portrays ghosts versus the empathetic, nuanced approach suggested in this work. Which resonates more with your personal beliefs?

You might also like

See more →