The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World Paperback – March 21, 2014

I bought this book because I wanted to scrutinize the story through rational analysis to see if I thought it was true. I've read it three times.I never read these types of books. It's not that I don't believe in God and angels and demons and miracles, because I do -- even if I still blush occasionally when considering the activity of such in my everyday life, because of a Modernist worldview hangover.But I heard Kevin Malarkey in an interview on the radio and was convinced enough to buy the book by the evidence he offered, and by his own skepticism trained into him by education in a scientific mindset as a licensed counselor. At the same time, I bought Heaven is for Real, a story about a four year old boy named Colton visiting heaven.Although not a literary classic, Malarkey's book is well-written and an easy read, engrossing enough that I read it in one sitting. It is honest and revealing and faith-inspiring. But who cares how inspirational it feels if it's not true?In fact, the depth of the story, the transparency, the spiritual focus, the tone, all contribute as much to our discernment of the truth of this story as do the specific evidences, including medical images. The scientific veracity of the claims in this story are bolstered by the fact that Alex's grandfather, a well-known, highly regarded endocrinologist who speaks at medical conferences, has brought his own scientific, medical training to the family's interpretation of all the evidence.I've decided that I believe that the story is likely to be true, and that Kevin, the father, took great care not to "lead" his son in creating details that did not happen. I look forward to following this story to see if the prophecies regarding Alex's healing and future ministry come to fruition.By contrast -- and this is where I'm going to raise the ire of many readers -- I don't believe the story in Heaven is for Real is entirely true. What I am NOT saying is that Colton's parents made up the whole story. I am NOT saying that Colton did not die and go to heaven and come back. And I'm not saying for an instant that Colton himself does not believe everything he is saying in interviews.What I am saying is that the story lacks the "ring of truth" (which could be due to thin writing quality), and that if the core event is real, it seems that at least some of the details were "led" out of Colton. Further, details from Colton and details from Alex regarding heaven do not correspond. So, either heaven is manifest differently to each individual and is not a concrete reality (which I doubt), or one of the stories is not accurate in all its details.If I had to choose between the two stories, the choice is easy -- Alex's story is more likely to be true than Colton's. I don't believe people get wings -- Alex didn't see any on people and Scripture does not indicate that at all. Jesus was probably nailed through the wrists, not the hands, according to medical and historical evidence we have available now, but Colton's story has him pointing to holes in his hands to identify Jesus. Alex and Colton each saw two distinctly different "pearly gates" in heaven. There is more.Suffice it to say that this book (Kevin Malarkey's) overcame my rational "objections" enough that I'm tentatively choosing to believe it, have purchased the book for others, and will follow the story to see if it's prophesied ending occurs.Assuming the story is indeed true, it is very much worth buying and reading. And then reading again, as needed.

This book is a true story about a boy named Alex Malarkey who was in a terrible car accident. According to the x-rays, he was internally decapitated and should be dead. Overcoming the odds, he not only survived but is making a surprising recovery and has amazing stories to tell about what happened after the accident and during his coma. Alex went to heaven. He was with God and the angels and was comforted and was told by God that he was going to recover.You're probably already thinking what I thought when I first heard the description of this book. I grew up in pretty conservative church circles where people didn't literally hear from God and spiritual warfare was little more than an idea. People didn't really interact with angels literally...at least not anyone I knew. I am always pretty skeptical about stories like this. Sandra has already read it and really liked it, and I had some time so I thought I would jump in. I'm so glad I did!I am a Christian. I believe that I live by faith - at least until I read stories of people who actually live by faith. It seemed like every page or two, I was brought to tears reading not only about the faith of this family, but the outpouring of love and support they received from other Jesus followers. I find myself inspired by a child who (at 6 years of age) seems to understand more of the nature of God than I have in my 31 years. The book is very inspiring and I don't think you could read it without desiring to make changes in your own faith journey and walk closer to the Lord.This book is also filled with amazing stories that will just blow your mind. Alex was able to describe specific details and comments people made at the scene of the accident when there is no possible way for him to have heard or seen them. A woman praying for Alex senses God telling her that there were three angels in the room tending to Alex - while a separate woman in another city has a dream and paints a picture that same night and sends it to the family. The dream - three angels surrounding Alex and healing his neck. The next day, a surgery to fix one of his vertebrae is cancelled because it has aligned itself. God did so many amazing things through this whole experience to bring glory to Himself. There is no way this is possible without it being the work of God.I highly recommend reading this book. It is a very quick read and is worth your time just to hear all the amazing things God did related to this boy. It's hard to justify sometimes because it is so far outside the realm of my faith experience. Hopefully it will challenge you like it has me to desire more.There are scientific facts, and there is God's sovereignty. Surrounded by prayer warriors, I was reminded of the truth that God is not controlled by what we know. (page 59)

This book was recommended to me a few years ago and I am pleased I have got around to purchasing and reading it. It was an easy read both mentally and physically (because the typed lines on each page were a little further apart than usual, for my eyes, this was helpful) and the few photos were also interesting and I do truly believe that Alex (and his family) have suffered and endured the experiences (of horrific proportions) so that in turn they give hope and inspiration to others.On the subject of NDE (near death experiences) I have rated this four out of five; reserving five for Anita Moorjani's "Dying to be me" which, as an audio book, I listened to and found absolutely amazing on the subject.

I found this book created a number of reactions for me. It is a challenging read in some respects, but was very thought provoking, and held my interest. It is a subject I have been reading more about - NDE's - and from that perspective was enlightening. My problem with it was that I felt it was a little forced by the author, who is the boy's father. Further research after finishing the book was frustrating. I came across a blog by Beth Malarkey, the boy's mother, who states categorically that neither her nor her son (the subject of the book) support it in any way. I could find no mention of the author himself and got the impression the parents may no longer be together, but found nothing to prove this. The book is an easy read and raises some interesting points. I'm just not sure how highly I would recommend it. I guess it's a case of suck it and see!

i ENJOYED THIS BOOK BUT WOULD SOMEONE WHO WASN'T A BELIEVER HAVE UNDERSTOOD , FOR THEM TO BE TRULY CONVINCED. I AM A CHRISTIAN WHO BELIEVES IN THE HEAVENS AND AFTER LIFE SO THIS BOOK WAS AS I HAVE NAMED VERY ENLIGHTENING.THE ONLY DOWN I HAD WAS OF NOT KNOWING IF ANOTHER BOOK WOULD BE A FOLLOW ON TO THE BOYS WELL BEING AND HIS DREAMS ALIVE AND TRUE.APART I THINK THIS BOOK IS GOOD.

An amazing book! Thank you to Alex and Kevin and all others who contributed to the book for sharing your testimony. It is great to hear that God is working in people's lives today. A miracle that cannot be ignored! Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration through this book. God works in the lives of children! God is for everyone! A must book to read.

What I loved about the book is Kevin Malarkey's honesty about the circumstances in which he found himself living through.Alex's cheekiness and love of life, and yet his matter of fact way of speaking about Jesus and heaven.There is nothing to dislike about this book, it challenges some of my "religious concepts" but that's ok as they turn out upon examination to be more opinion based on man's relegation than God's revelation which is The Bible. I love the continual referring to the Bible as the ultimate standard of truth and the test to hold Alex's story against.