Summary

As a doctor who has experienced an NDE, Alexander believes he is well-positioned to subvert the traditional medical narrative that "NDEs are fantasies" (141). One by one, he counters the possible medical explanations for his experience. All of these medical explanations are countered by the fact that Eben's neocortex was not functioning at the time and therefore, the brain was physically incapable of producing the kinds of intense, interactive, elaborate, intricate, and meaningful experiences he encountered. He feels a great sense of responsibility to share his discoveries and his story with the world, particularly as a member of the medical community. Two years after his coma, Alexander visits a friend, John, who is also a neuroscientist. Alexander learns about a spiritual experience John had while his father was on his deathbed and Alexander shares his own story. Hearing Alexander's story "seemed to give [John...