Louis LaGrand recently lectured in Portland, Oregon at a large gathering of professionals specializing in death and dying. Some keynote speakers were quite conservative while others, like Dr. LaGrand, risked being "outside the comfort zone" with his refreshing views on continuing a bond with someone we love, even after they have died. Contrary to the stereotyped goal most grief counselors seem to harp on about "letting go and moving on", LaGrand has managed to very nicely reframe this into "Let go of the pain, hold on to the love, and continue your relationship with your loved one in a way that is healing while not being intrusive." Nice thought, huh?

An "extraordinary experience", according to LaGrand, is one that can range from actually encountering the dead person in a physical way (seeing them in the home), or, more commonly, in a dream or symbolic way (such as a group of cardinals appearing where they hardly ever do, and this happened to be the loved one's most treasured bird). His writing is compassionate and caring rather than cold and clinical and, not surprisingly, he opens the book by telling you that this is just as much for mourners to read as it is for those of us in the "death and dying business".

Readers may possibly find some of their core beliefs about what happens to us after we die being challenged, but just give LaGrand's alternative view a chance. I have already used his philosophy of NOT taking someone's grief away (or suggesting they need to move beyond the person they lost) and rewording it as a "loving energy that is fueled as much by love and yearning as it is by the possibility that he/she is very closeby." This should not be mistaken as a chip off of "Crossing Over" as LaGrand does not suggest we are clairvoyant nor are we necessarily capable of communicating with the spirit world, but, rather, only with the cherished few whom we miss terribly and feel there may be unfinished business with.

As a professional and also as someone who has experienced their own personal losses, Extroardinary Experiences was one in and of itself just reading the book. I also highly recommend it as a resource therapists share with their grieving clients - they deserve to have their grief not only validated and respected but to have it nicely labeled as "loving energy".

This book tries to put the experience of after death communication by mourners into some kind of perspective. It does this by discussing the varieties of experiences different individuals have, if and how they find the event helpful, and how to respond to others who report such encounters. "Messages" might be more useful for the unbeliever who needs to read how to begin exploring the phenomenon in a scientific way -- that is, just collecting the descriptions, looking at the number of incidents, how people respond, how after death communication differs from other related psycho/spiritual phenonenon, and the effect the experience has on the mourner. Personally, i found the question/answer format to be annoying but i can imagine that there might be some readers for whom that is exactly what they most enjoy. The table of contents lists all the questions and therefore gives a very good outline of the entire text.

LaGrand is one of the most experienced ADC researchers, and his previous book (Final Farewells) is well worth buying. He also has solid academic credentials. This book is in the format of 100 questions and answers pertaining to all aspects of the ADC phenomenon. I was a bit put off by the format at first -- but once you get comfortable with it, it is really quite helpful. The answers tend to run 2-4 pages; they are not superficial. The experiencers' accounts of their ADCs are woven into the answers. The answers also include a number of references to books that I was not familiar with in a variety of related fields. LaGrand seems to have a very sane perspective on the phenomenon and what it may mean. He is candidly skeptical about certain types of purported ADCs, but he is solidly in the believers' camp. This book would be equally worthwhile as an introduction to ADCs or as a thought-provoker for someone who is already very familiar with them.

Shirley, my soulmate and the woman I was to marry, passed away in July of 1994. Shortly after that I experienced various forms of communication from her. Since, at the time, I was not aware of the phenomenon of After Death Communication, I felt that I was losing my mind. I went to see several grief therapists regarding these experiences but their responses only seemed to confirm that something was not right with my state of mind.

Recently, however, I happened to receive a copy of MESSAGES AND MIRACLES and the book re-assured me that I was not going crazy. According to Dr. L. LaGrand's intensive research in this area, thousands of people have had similar ADC experiences...and all of a sudden I did not feel so alone. The information that the author presents definately supports the comment that was once made by Dr. Wayne Dyer: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience...rather we are spiritual beings having a human experience".

Understandingly, those who have never experienced the transformational power of an ADC may be quite skeptical. But then how do you describe the smell of a rose to someone who has never smelled one?

On the other hand, if I am going crazy given my ADC experiences, I am proud to be in such great company as Dr. LaGrand and the people that he refers to in his book.

This book is fiction. If not so we would know who killed Kenndy.

"Final Farewells" reminded me too much of a college textbook. Although some of its parts remain somewhat interesting, most of it is just so coldly written. There really is nothing moving about the way the author writes.

Dr. la Grand does a fine job of research,interviewing,and very sensibly explaining a complex subject area and I rank his book--Final Farewell as among the top four books that I have read, on after death communications and experiences. After reading 50 plus books I can say that he holds your attention and re-reading certain chapters are always reassuring to help calm the mind. His delivery of the facts and events are enough to make one a believer in after death visits. And after talking to him on the phone ,his sincerity is evident and interest and intent is outstanding. This is conveyed in his book via his writing style . A must book for your library and s great book to purchase and donate to your local hospice for the benefit of many others.