The good thing about this book is that the information is all listed in alphabetical order. I was very disappointed when I read it: has little info about what the title suggests, but is instead the authors list of comparisons or tidbits of items from different beliefs, most have little or nothing to do with the idea of death and afterlife. Is this all he has to offer? It does not compare in any way to Raymond Moody or others who have written insightful and informative books and manage to stick to the subject. Maybe I just wish the book had a title that would reflect the actual info in the book. I'd like to get my money back.

First of all the forward is written by Dr.Raymond Moody, and while a lot of "researchers" throw his name around carelessly, the good doctor is careful of the work that he actually endorses. This well organised and truly encyclopedic guide is clearly worthy of his endorsement. In over a decade of personal research, this is the best single reference work on death and the afterlife that I've found. All the entries are well written, professional, and scholarly. Indeed, just by browsing through this thick volume you begin to see connections between subjects that may never have occured to you before (such as between shamanism and the mystery religions.) The highest praise that I can give this book is that it contained a sizable amount of information that even I wasn't familiar with- definately worth investing in for your library.
After all, what subject is ultimately of greater importance?

While I was interested in seeing the presented works, I was disappointed that the landscaping drawings were mostly only a half page and had no detail information as to the plantings, etc. Basically it becomes a picture book to examine the presented landscapes, some of which I have seen repeated elsewhere. The overall size of the book is too small to get much value out of the photographs of the landscape that are presented. The plants seem to mostly exotic that would not be available to most people.

Splendid and inspiring... Raymond Jungles tropical gardens are wonderful living works of art, a must for anyone interested in modern art and landscape architecture. The photographs capture a unique talent and love of nature that transcends landscape design and will always be modern and artistic. This book should be a primer for anyone studying landscape architecture, and is a refreshing breakaway from the rigid monotony that is so commonly done by practicing landscape architects.

Mooney's study is often fascinating, although one has to wonder how objective and disinterested someone can be who refers to his subject as "this pathetic cult."