Although only one side of the issue is discussed (in support of NDEs), this book is a must-read for anyone interested in logical approach to an analysis of NDEs. Valarino interviews scientists from different fields (biology, physics, etc.) and discusses the scientific evidence they have found in support of NDEs, as well as some of the recent theories that have been formulated concerning the nature of the soul (or consciousness) and life after death. The content of the book deserves five stars, although I will agree the format of the book could use just a little work.

Ms. Elsaesser-Valarino takes us through a thorough analysis of the Near Death Experience (NDE) from a number of different perspectives: Philosophy, religious, physics, biology, and psychology. This book is an excellent, in-depth look at the various possibilities of NDE's. I have never read such a complete analysis of this fascinating phenomenon. I recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in NDE's.

The reasons I did not rate this book with 5-stars are:

1 - The analysis would be even more complete had it included an analysis of someone who does not believe that NDE's necessarily imply a life-after-death. Everyone interviewed leans on the side of probability that NDE's imply life-after-death. An interview with someone like a Susan Blackmore would have been very interesting and added to the objectivity of the author's position.

2 - The interview/dialog format used in most of the book is interesting, but does not lend itself to explanation, especially when the discussion get very complex and bogged down in technical details of physics, biology, etc.. A more traditional approach might have enabled the author to more fully define complex terms and constructs in a more effective way.

3 - The two testimonies I believe could have been chosen better. The ones used are marginal and uninteresting.

Extremely basic and not much substance!Information easily obtained elswhere for free!

This guide and companion CD-ROM (which contains forms, templates, etc.) is an unintimidating starting point for business continuity, particularly in an IT-focused organization of any size.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist or spend hundreds of hours to build a basic, functional business continuity program with this tool.

This business continuity planning guide is just what I needed. Not having done one of these plans before, I was overwhelmed when I looked at some of the books on the subject in the library and on the Net. They all seemed to be written for someone far more knowledgeable about continuity planning than I. So I was relieved when a business associate suggested I check into the Fulmer Guide. I found that it is carefully written for someone who has newly assumed this responsibility.

I noted one of the other reviews of the Fulmer Guide, here on Amazon, and since our experience and opinion of it are so positive, I want to respond to their review description. They described this guide as:

"overpriced" - I think this price isn't very much at all, given what our company has at stake.

"of little value" - I guess that depends of the planning experience of the one using the guide. It was very valuable to me and my company.

"extremely basic" - Thank God!

"information can be found elsewhere for free" - I find most information I need is available to me for little or no money, if I have the time to find it and then to organize it. However, I didn't in this case.

I found it particularly useful that this guide enabled me to clearly explain to my management and our employees, the value of this plan and the process we were going to use to build ours. The guide helped us to consider the full spectrum of potential damage and interruption to our business that we face every day. The CD ROM that is included, provided us with all the guide's worksheets and that was very helpful. And after we had completed our plan, this guide instructed us on how to test its effectiveness and how to keep our plan up-to-date.

I highly recommend this guide to anyone who newly faces this challenging task of creating a business continuity plan.