Six Feet Over: Science Tackles the Afterlife — Spiritualism

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🕊️ Spiritualism

Six Feet Over: Science Tackles the Afterlife

Name: Six Feet Over: Science Tackles the Afterlife
Price: 16.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781324036043

✍️ Roach, Mary

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$16.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Mary Roach, with her characteristic blend of wit and rigorous investigation, delves into humanity's most enduring question: what happens after we die? She meticulously examines a fascinating array of historical figures and contemporary researchers—from dedicated scientists to ingenious schemers and mediums—all united by their efforts to either substantiate or dismiss the notion of consciousness persisting beyond the grave. This journey explores the myriad ways we've attempted to quantify the unquantifiable, offering a uniquely grounded perspective on the ultimate mystery.

Roach, Mary

📚 all books by this author (2) →

🕊️

Spiritualism

🏛 W. W. Norton & Company 📅 2022 📖 320 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781324036043

Fun Fact

Mary Roach once again delivers a masterclass in curiosity, demystifying a complex subject with humor and journalistic integrity. This book shines in its exploration of human ingenuity and folly in the face of death, offering a refreshing, unsentimental look at the afterlife through a scientific lens. Those seeking definitive spiritual answers will be disappointed, but anyone fascinated by the boundaries of science and belief will find it utterly compelling. It carves a unique niche between serious science journalism and engaging popular non-fiction.

📝 Description: Six Feet Over: Science Tackles the Afterlife

"What happens when we die? Does the light just go out and that's that--the million-year nap? Or will some part of my personality, my me-ness persist? What will that feel like? What will I do all day? Is there a place to plug in my lap-top?" In an attempt to find out, Mary Roach brings her tireless curiosity to bear on an array of contemporary and historical soul-searchers: scientists, schemers, engineers, mediums, all trying to prove (or disprove) that life goes on after we die.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While engaging and informative, this book may not suit those seeking definitive proof of an afterlife or those who prefer serious theological discourse over journalistic investigation. Readers expecting hard scientific data might find the historical anecdotes distracting, while spiritualists may feel the skeptical tone undermines their beliefs. However, for fans of Roach’s style, it offers a clever, well-researched look at the absurdities and passions surrounding death. It is best enjoyed as an entertaining exploration of human curiosity rather than a conclusive answer to existential questions, appealing to those who value wit and inquiry over dogma.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate Mary Roach’s signature blend of humor and rigorous research will find this book particularly rewarding. It is ideal for those curious about the scientific perspective on death without wanting to wade through dry academic texts. By examining both historical figures and contemporary researchers, the book offers a grounded yet fascinating look at humanity's attempt to quantify the afterlife. It appeals to skeptics and believers alike who enjoy intellectual exploration wrapped in wit. This volume provides a unique, accessible entry point into complex debates about consciousness and mortality, making it perfect for casual readers seeking enlightenment without pretension.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're a curious mind who appreciates a rigorous yet humorous scientific approach to life's biggest questions, this book is for you. Skeptics and believers alike will find Roach's investigative spirit both enlightening and thoroughly entertaining.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While engaging and informative, this book may not suit those seeking definitive proof of an afterlife or those who prefer serious theological discourse over journalistic investigation. Readers expecting hard scientific data might find the historical anecdotes distracting, while spiritualists may feel the skeptical tone undermines their beliefs. However, for fans of Roach’s style, it offers a clever, well-researched look at the absurdities and passions surrounding death. It is best enjoyed as an entertaining exploration of human curiosity rather than a conclusive answer to existential questions, appealing to those who value wit and inquiry over dogma.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is primarily a scientific and investigative exploration. While it touches on various attempts to understand the afterlife, its focus is on empirical inquiry, experiments, and the often-unusual individuals who tried to measure or prove post-mortem existence, rather than theological doctrine.

Mary Roach doesn't claim to offer conclusive proof or disproof of an afterlife. Instead, she masterfully navigates the fascinating history of human attempts to find such answers, presenting the evidence, the theories, and the eccentric personalities involved, leaving readers to ponder the implications themselves.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Scientific Afterlife Exploration

This book meticulously chronicles various scientific and pseudo-scientific endeavors to prove or disprove life after death. Roach investigates historical experiments, modern research, and the often-quirky individuals who dedicated their lives to objectively measuring the soul's persistence, offering a unique, evidence-based lens on an ethereal subject.

The Nature of "Me"

A central query is the survival of individual identity—that unique "me-ness"—after physical death. Roach explores philosophical and scientific perspectives on whether personality, memories, and consciousness can transcend biological cessation, probing the very essence of what constitutes a persistent self beyond the body.

Human Curiosity's Edge

At its heart, the book is a testament to humanity's insatiable curiosity and profound unease concerning mortality. It showcases the diverse, sometimes eccentric, methods people employ to confront the ultimate unknown, driven by hope, fear, or a pure scientific quest to unravel the greatest mystery of existence.

📜 Historical context

Roach's work stands in a long tradition of intellectual inquiry into the afterlife, yet distinguishes itself by its strictly scientific and often irreverent examination. Unlike purely spiritual or philosophical texts, it brings a modern, empirical lens to questions previously reserved for theology or personal faith, bridging the gap between verifiable fact and profound mystery.

📚 Glossary

Afterlife
Scientific Inquiry
Consciousness

📔 Questions to reflect on

If consciousness persists, what practical, everyday concerns might occupy a disembodied "you"?
How does the scientific quest to prove or disprove the afterlife compare with purely faith-based approaches in terms of personal comfort or understanding?
Consider the societal implications if scientific proof of an afterlife were definitively established. How might human behavior and values shift?