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Life Before Life: Children's Memories of Previous Lives Paperback – April 1, 2008

by Jim B. Tucker M.D. (Author), Ian Stevenson M.D. (Foreword)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 721 ratings
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This popular examination of research into children's reports of past-life memories describes a collection of 2,500 cases at the University of Virginia that investigators have carefully studied since Dr. Ian Stevenson began the work more than forty years ago. The children usually begin talking about a past life at the age of two or three and may talk about a previous family or the way they died in a previous life. Their statements have often been found to be accurate for one particular deceased individual, and some children have recognized members of the previous family. A number have also had birthmarks or defects that matched wounds on the body of the deceased person.

Life Before Life presents the cases in a straightforward way and explores the possibility that consciousness may continue after the brain dies. It is a provocative and fascinating book that can challenge and ultimately change readers' understandings about life and death.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 1, 2008
  4. Dimensions
    5.55 x 0.7 x 8.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    031237674X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0312376741
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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“In this very elegant book, Dr. Tucker offers the most convincing scientific evidence for the fact that our consciousness survives physical death. And indeed, takes quantum leaps of creativity in the form of reincarnation. The model that Dr. Tucker presents opens a new vision of who we are, limitless beings that fill up all of space and time.” ―Deepak Chopra, author of Life After Death: The Burden of Proof

“[A][ solid case for reincarnation…. Tucker introduces powerful grounds for credulous speculation.” ―Booklist

“Jim Tucker gives us a clear, concise and eminently rational insight into a 40 year investigation of what is unquestionably the best evidence for the existence of reincarnation. We are lucky to have in him a worthy successor to Ian Stevenson.” ―TOM SHRODER, author of Old Souls: Compelling Evidence From Children Who Remember Past Lives

“Anyone with an open mind, on reading Dr. Jim B. Tucker's Life Before Life, will realize that our conventional concepts of life and death are ripe for revision. The possibilities raised by this book for human destiny are as hopeful as the current view is grim. Life Before Life is extraordinarily important.” ―Larry Dossey, M.D., author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things, Reinventing Medicine, and Healing Words

“With his training as a pediatric psychiatrist, and the mind of an inquiring scientist, Dr. Jim Tucker takes a fresh look at one of life's most intriguing questions: 'Does consciousness survive death?' Through the hundreds of case studies of his predecessor, Dr. Ian Stevenson, and his own cases, Dr. Tucker adds new insight to this amazing research, and draws us closer to understanding this perennial mystery.” ―CAROL BOWMAN, author of Children's Past Lives and Return From Heaven

“Life Before Life adds to the increasingly impressive science of consciousness and the continuity of mind/memory…this book is the tip of an important iceberg that will continue to expand our knowledge of the spiritual reality of Life.” ―C. NORMAN SHEALY, M.D., Ph.D., President, Holos University Graduate Seminary; Founding President, American Holistic Medical Association; author of Youthful Aging―Secret of the Fountain

“Jim B. Tucker's fine presentation of Ian Stevenson's decades of rigorous scientific research into evidence of children's apparent past-life recollections expresses the true spirit of scientific skepticism, rather than the knee-jerk materialism that all too often waves that proud banner.” ―B. ALAN WALLACE, President of the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies

About the Author

Jim B. Tucker, M.D. is a child psychiatrist at the University of Virginia, where he directs research into children's reports of past-life memories at the Division of Personality Studies and serves as Medical Director of the Child & Family Psychiatry Clinic. He is the author of Life Before Life and the New York Times Best Seller Return to Life.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition (April 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031237674X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312376741
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 0.7 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 721 ratings

About the author

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Jim B. Tucker

Jim B. Tucker

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Jim B. Tucker, M.D. is Bonner-Lowry Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. He is continuing the work of Dr. Ian Stevenson at the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies with children who report memories of previous lives. His overview of the research, Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives, has been translated into ten languages. His latest book, New York Times Best Seller Return to Life: Extraordinary Cases of Children Who Remember Past Lives, is a collection of recent American cases he has studied.

Dr. Tucker was raised Southern Baptist and never considered the possibility of past lives before reading one of Dr. Stevenson's books. He became so intrigued by Stevenson's research that he eventually gave up a successful private practice of child psychiatry to join him in the work.

He lives with his wife Chris in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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Top reviews from the United States

Gettysburg Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and Fascinating Real Case Studies of Children Relating Past Lives to Their Families
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2015
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Continuing my study of reincarnation, I came upon Dr. Tucker's book which lays out case after case of young children recalling past life memories. Dr. Tucker took up the nearly life-long work of Dr. Ian Stevenson, both being associated with the University of Virginia Medical Center. Their credentials and association with UVMC provide gravitas, in my mind, above the works of some other authors.

For children who seem to have these memories of past lives, there is a window of opportunity for exploration. They usually begin expressing these when they gain the ability of speech (about age two-three) and may continue on to about age seven, at which time they have begun to forget for various reasons. Eastern civilizations firmly believe in reincarnation and encourage their children to freely talk and share their experiences. Western cultures, for the most part, eschew these beliefs and, by discouraging discussion, could certainly cause children to quickly disavow any outreach on the subject.

Although most of the cases reported on in the book are from Eastern countries, there are some in the United States and Europe which are also fascinating. I enjoyed each, and while there will probably never be absolute proof, these children's stories are compelling.

Very oddly, although I had never had any personal experience or awareness of any children speaking of such things, this changed less than two days after I finished the book. Having lunch with friends, one told us of baffling comments made that same week by her five year old grandson. He was with his father when he saw a man he insisted he knew and told his father the man's name...followed by the "fact" that he (the boy) "had met the man in California before his last mommy died." I came very close to not attending this lunch because of work, but I felt strongly that I should take the time and go. Obviously, I was happy I did...but, how strange is this? I can't explain any of it.
22 people found this helpful
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Douglas Dillon
4.0 out of 5 stars Scientific Study Lays It Out Clearly!
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2012
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If you are truly interested in reincarnation, rebirth and past lives, then this is the book for you.

A continuation of the work done by Dr. Ian Stevenson, also of the University of Virginia, this book offers clear evidence that at least some people do have previous lives. Culled from reports across the world, Life Before Life offers the reader case study after involving young children who claim to have lived before their current physical existences. At the time this book was written, 2,500 such instances had been scientifically investigated.

The reader may find the wording a little dry but what Dr. Tucker presents here are not just the stories these children tell but also the rigorous analysis he and his team use to assess the validity of such claims. It is through that very academic presentation, however, that the startling truth of what so many youngsters have said becomes quite evident.

Obviously, the majority of these cases arise in cultures where reincarnation or rebirth is part of a religious belief system such as Hinduism and Buddhism. The interesting thing that arises in Dr. Tucker's studies is the discovery of numerous cases that come from places where such beliefs are not predominant such as the United States and Europe. Add that to the fact where one or both parents of such a child are religiously opposed to the idea of reincarnation and you have set the stage for an even higher degree of verification.

The stories told by these children are fascinating, and in my view, very instructive. Through these young voices I find infinite potential for all humankind just beneath the surface of our everyday reality.
15 people found this helpful
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Yves
5.0 out of 5 stars Science beyond religious limitations.
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2013
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Having been introduced to the topic of past life research through the writings of Walter Semkiw, M.D. who first introduced me to the original research on the topic of past life recollections in young children conducted by Ian Stevenson, M.D. at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, I find this work by Jim Tucker, M.D. to be highly "consilientive" (see p. 195) in bringing together facts and theories from many perspectives to link and form a common foundation of knowledge and important questions on the topic of reincarnation. Dr. Tucker's research builds on the pioneering work of Dr. Stevenson (and others) from the 1960's and into the 21st century.

Beyond the traditional boundaries and limitations of many religious doctrines, Dr. Tucker examines facts as they are found and presented. In Socratic fashion, Dr. Tucker asks important questions and provides answers to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. The book stays within the research boundaries of examining childhood recollections, whereas Dr. Semkiw's inquiries and presentations delve into speculative possible adult cases of past life connections (see [...]

A book which provides a good, supporting, in-depth case study is  Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot  by Bruce and Andrea Leininger with Ken Gross. Reading these books together brings the discussion beyond taboo into a present, scientifically studied research topic.

I found the book most interesting in its logical, and well presented topical organization of facts correlated with scientific research in medicine, physics and cultural traditions.
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ChrisB
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning work
Reviewed in France on May 24, 2022
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Excellent book, written in a very professional way, with a scientific approach giving a lot of credibility to Jim Tucker’s work.
It seems to me that this kind of study, along with other related research topics such as near-death experiences for example, is of utmost importance regarding the question of a possible afterlife following this earthly experience.
With a bit of open-mindedness, reincarnation research may convince you that affirming with certainty that consciousness is nothing but a byproduct of electrochemical reactions in the brain is arrogant and precocious.
Thank you Jim for your dedication and the rigour of your work.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Eccellente
Reviewed in Italy on October 17, 2021
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Un eccellente saggio di Jim B.Tucker, psichiatra all'università della Virginia, Usa, che analizza alcuni casi di bambini/e che ricordano persone e fatti di vite passate che si rivelano esatti. Tucker esamina con rigore scientifico tutti gli argomenti pro e contro e giunge alla conclusione che la reincarnazione é possibile. Tucker ma anche il fisico Robert Lanza, Kübler Ross, Jeff Long, Van Lommel, Moody ad altri chiamano consciousness ( coscienza ) ciò che un credente chiama " anima " che deriva dal sanscrito e poi dal latino " vento ", " soffio ".
3 people found this helpful
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VXW
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, sober, scientific and very readable book on one of life's greatest mysteries.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2018
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A fascinating and well written book summarising and relating extensive scientific studies into reincarnation/childhood memories of previous lives by the author and his research team. This is one of a few books on this and closely related subjects by this author and his colleagues. The evidence presented is utterly compelling. If reincarnation is not a genuine phenomenon, there is certainly something strange going on. After reading this book, it is hard not to be convinced that some people are either reincarnated or somehow capable of receiving verifiable life-memories that belonged to other people. Whatever the truth is, the evidence presented here in a balanced and calm manner really demands and explanation. Very readable.
15 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars N the books on past life therapy were awesome.
Reviewed in India on February 24, 2017
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Both the books on income tax met my needs. N the books on past life therapy were awesome.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summation of Stevenson's and recent studies...
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2012
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If you have spent a great deal of time researching the possibilities of life before life (reincarnation), this may not be the book for you. If, however, you are a neophyte to this area or are seeking an excellent summation text that thoroughly reviews Stevenson's and other more recent studies, this is an excellent gem!

The author, like Stevenson, does not give any definitive conclusions to whether or not reincarnation is a reality or a myth. He responsibly leaves this for the reader to determine. He does, however, examine any and all explanations for the 2500+ studied reports that come from various parts of the world and implicitly shows that reincarnation is the most plausible conclusion to reach in most cases. While there are portions of the individual studies that each of us will have a difficult time with, the data is there and while metaphysical issues do not appear to have concrete solutions in our lifetimes the foundations have been solidly laid.

One of the most frequent comment by the skeptics as their 'proof' that reincarnation is a myth is "Because the subjects do not remember these previous experiences when they become adults, they must have simply been childhood fantasies!". This complaint is easily refuted by the fact that childhood amnesia (the failure of nearly all children to forget ALL events before the age of five), while unexplained, exists worldwide and, of course, would include any early memories of previous experiences.
12 people found this helpful
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