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Rating: 
Summary: Love?
Review: A (fictional) story of the first few days of one man's death. Although I did enjoy reading it, I found it strangely unemotional, considering the topic. Hey, I'm dead; yup, there's my son; yup, there's my wife...Looked at as a brief glance at one corner of a possible afterlife, this book is interesting. If it's all like this however, I'd better start getting more exercise - the afterlife as portrayed here is not the kind of place I want to be visiting anytime soon. The only examples of landscapes or nature or beauty of any sort for that matter are shown during the brief forays we make back to Earth. As someone who enjoys the beauty of natural settings, by the end of the book I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic... On the plus side, the author's overall themes of continual growth and the attempt to find truth are thought-provoking, though we're not given much of any examples of what our growth might be leading to. There is one element in this book (the meeting with Satan) that appears to be distinctly Christian - perhaps this is comforting for those whose beliefs match this pattern, but for those who don't (or at least for me), it felt strangely out-of-place in a book that otherwise didn't preach much. On second look however, it appears that the Christian interpretations of this element come only from the protagonist himself. The others he interacts with admittedly do nothing to dissuade him from his assumption, but neither do they actually give him much reinforcement that his interpretation is accurate, which is the impression one gets upon first reading. In other words if it helps him progress in the long run, the helpers in his environment are willing to play toward his prejudices. Looked at in that way, the "Satan" stuff is a bit easier to swallow. And as it happens the only person we meet in the afterlife who appears to be much more advanced than "fair to middling" (and the only character who actually leads us to a scene out-of-doors!) also turns out to be Satan, for what that's worth. After that it's back to the hallways. All in all it is honestly worth a read, as long as this isn't the only (or the first) book you read on the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting possibilities
Review: Dr Peck's book explores life after death, based on what he imagines it would be and based on accounts of people who had gone through OBE (Out-of-the-Body Experiences). Initially, Dr Peck's analytical tone and non-literary style of writing got in the way of the story-telling - making it rather contrived and unnatural. However, as the story moves on, the possibilities get fascinating. I don't agree entirely with what Dr Peck has portrayed through the story. But yes, it seems perfectly possible that the private hell/purgatory/heaven that one creates for oneself on earth could be carried forward even after death - and that in heaven, the kind of psychiatric support that one could get to be healed is simply divine and eternally patient. And yes, instead of just floating around in heaven, playing harps or singing "Alleluia" endlessly, people in heaven might just find themselves working in committees! If that's what they want to and enjoy doing, according to the Principle of Freedom (in Peck's book and Christianity), that's what they'll do. The difference perhaps lies in the redemptive, enriching or crippling effects of whatever they have chosen to do. SO, I would recommend this book to those who enjoys Dr Peck's psychoanalytic insights, but not to those who are only looking for a literary story or a fun reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Open up the possibilities
Review: I have read this book twice and the subsequent reviews on your site and felt it was important for a certain viewpoint to be expressed. Peck is not maintaining that this will be your heaven or my heaven. He is not maintaining that his temptations will be your temptations or my temptations. So often I read reviews that seem to take some sort of personal insult from the printed material. I don't necessarily agree with every single part of this book, but if you understand that he is attempting to be honest and realistic about his own perceptions and thoughts I think it would be amazing what you can learn. Peck's ideas about all of us being resistant to change, too attached to whatever "disability" or "fault" we have, his honesty about his anxieties and downfalls (and yes we all have them!), and the overall sense of utter acceptance and interest in individual as well as collective growth are, for me, the key aspects and are very, very comforting and thought provoking. Try this one if you want to jog some of those "hmm, this is interesting." cells in your head!!
Rating:
Summary: Scott Peck's In Heaven as on earth
Review: I respect Scott Peck's authority on psychiatry and faith in the spiritual life. I read both "Road Less Traveled" and "People of the Lies" and both are captivating, the first ending in babble I had trouble relating to and the latter opening my eyes to evil in even the most innocent of us. But "In Heaven as on Earth", I was caught up in a realistic poetic journey filled with images into the life after death, from the mind of a person who has delved into the minds of so many people. I felt somewhat shortchanged in that this book seems to end with a lead-in to another book. Where is it? I hope to find that book one day. Or must I wait for the afterlife to find out what remains to be seen?
Rating:
Summary: Interesting concept of the afterlife
Review: I thought Peck's version of what the afterlife might be like was very original, and interesting. However, I only gave it three stars because the writing did not seem very "inspired". It was written from the perspective of someone who is analytical and not very emotional about his experiences. There were a few parts that I felt were a little awkward, namely the part where Satan gets involved, but even so I still think the book is worth a read. If you are are more interested in the concept then you are in the writing style, I would recommend this book. It's a very quick read.
Rating:
Summary: loved it!
Review: I'm a long-time fan of Dr M. Scott Peck. Read a number of his books such as "The Road Less Travelled", "The Different Drum", "People of the Lie", etc, over the years ever since I was 18. In this book, Dr Peck explores life after death, based on his theological understanding, what he imagines it would be and on accounts of people who had gone through OBE (Out-of-the-Body Experiences). It's quite interesting. Initially, Dr Peck's analytical tone and non-literary style of writing got in the way of the story-telling - making it rather contrived and unnatural. However, as the story moves on, the possibilities get fascinating.
I don't agree entirely with what Dr Peck has portrayed through the story. But yes, it seems perfectly possible that the private hell/purgatory/heaven that one creates for oneself on earth could be carried forward even after death - and that in heaven, the kind of psychiatric support that one could get to be healed is simply divine and eternally patient. And yes, instead of just floating around in heaven, playing harps or singing "Alleluia" endlessly, people in heaven might just find themselves working in committees! If that's what they want to and enjoy doing, according to the Principle of Freedom (in Peck's book and Christianity), that's what they'll do. The difference perhaps lies in the redemptive, enriching or crippling effects of whatever they have chosen to do. And yes, wonders of wonders, we might find ourselves literally working FOR God, WITH Him, and THROUGH Him!
SO, I would recommend this book to those who enjoys Dr Peck's psychoanalytic insights (along with his deep religious convictions), but not to those who are only looking for a literary story or a fun reading.
Rating: 
Summary: No, please go back!
Review: The master of user-friendly psychiatry (see the excellent 'The Road Less Travelled') is foraying into territory that he obviously should keep well away from.
Peck describes this as a novel. Unfortunately, he cannot write literature. How would you, for instance, describe the beauty of listening to a choir of souls singing in harmony (apparently it's very beautiful)? Peck says: "The beauty reminded me of the movie 'Close encounters of the third kind', where the lights of the spaceship were blinking and shifting. It was the best visual depiction of glory I'd ever seen. Until now."
Yes, the book is filled with pearls like this.. As regards the spiritualistic aspect (which is why most people would buy the book anyway), again, Peck disappoints.
It doesn't start too badly, but after a while you begin to suspect that Peck has probably not done enough research (yes, into metaphysics) or, even more frustratingly, has not used plain logic.
Examples:
(1) the world of mysticism is in agreement that the notion of 'Satan' (in any religion) is only metaphorical. The simple logic is that God would not be idiotic enough to create an adversary that wants to ruin peace and love, or powerless enough to actually have a problem kicking Satan's butt off the universe. Peck goes 2000 years back and gives us the story of the fallen angel who is trying to sneak up on God. I was hoping we were past the simple-mindedness of the people of Moses' time, but admittedly, Peck knows people's minds better than I do.
(2) Peck describes an encounter with Satan who tries to have sex with him (it's not as bad as it sounds, Satan was transformed into a naked horny cheerleader when this happened). Peck declines (just) and we then get to see him thanking God for protecting him from 'falsehood' and 'illusion'. Again, the simple minded decision that Peck has made on our behalf, that sex is sinful, is laughable at best and shows that Peck is not ready to follow his own teachings: always keep an open mind. On a more personal note, if heaven is anything like Peck describes (small empty green rooms, dark foggy spaces, continuous work in heavenly committees etc), I will take my uncle's advice and "go to hell if it has beer and nuts". Peck, we love you, but stick to your science.
Rating:
Summary: Yet another masterpiece from the heart of Scott Peck.
Review: The most devoted Scott Peck fan on the face of the earth, I readthe article about him in last years October issue of Rolling Stoneand thought, "it seems Dr. Peck is preparing for the final step of his journey - death. It would be cool if he wrote a book about it". Sure enough, a couple months later my wish came true. Dr. Peck's books have meant so much to me and many others. He has the unusual gift of enlightening people through stories of his own life journey and even works of fiction. This book is no exception. After reading this book, I discovered that the closer I feel to God, the more I realize how little I know about He/She works and thinks. But paradoxically, I also realized even more how much we are loved and that death will only be the beginning of a new and exciting journey. Of all the theories of the afterlife, Dr. Peck introduces one of integrity and credibility. It is a must read for all who will die someday. Thank you, God, for another gift, and thank you, Dr. Peck, for being the messenger.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Version of the Afterlife
Review: This is the first book by Dr. Peck that I have read, although I have heard of his other books. This is a work of fiction, of Dr. Peck's "imaginary" version of what he thinks the afterlife could be like. I find it hard to objective for the review of this book, as I have read so many books on NDE's and OBE's, that when I finished reading this book, it paled in comparison to the other books that I have read. Dr. Peck's story revolves around Dr. Daniel Turpin, a psychiatrist, who lies dying from lung cancer with his two children around him. Daniel is able to feel himself leave his body and knows that he has died. While in "heaven" Daniel encounters other spirits, some in purgatory and some in hell. The allegorical "hell" was quite amusing for those souls depicted living in the bottom of trash can, working for Amalgamated Systems!! Daniel is also able to go back to earth to "check-up" on his children and to visit his former residence that he once shared with his beloved wife. Greeters help Daniel with his adjustment to the afterlife and he learns that he cannot interfere with earthly doings, yet he does have freedom of choice. We experience Daniel's partial review of his life and his thirst to serve God. The Greeters inform Daniel that there are many committees in heaven, if he so wishes to serve. As Daniel comes to terms with the afterlife and his comfort level takes him out of his paradigm, he becomes adventurous and wants to see and experience more. Even though this is a novel, with all of the information in print and in video of true experiences of the afterlife, this story seemed almost "clinical" to me. It was a very simple story, not at all colorful, and at times boring. Also, when Dr. Peck described Daniel meeting his wife and another son, those meetings, to me, were portrayed as cold, and not at all loving or warm. This lack of love and warmth really bothered me. Dr. Peck's allegorical view was very different, yet he does leave the reader thinking and asking questions. I think also, that readers have to keep in mind that this is a work of fiction. Dr. Peck does portray love and compassion in the afterlife, with Greeters and others who do assist those souls who are having a hard time adjusting. The patience and love do shine through from those assisting. This is one of those books where one will either really like it or they won't. It is not a terrible book, just very different with a lack of warmth.
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