In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife

The bestselling author of Tribe and The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger, reflects on death and what might follow in his powerful book, My Time of Dying. After suffering a ruptured aneurysm, Junger undertakes a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die. The book is part medical drama, part searing autobiography, and part rational inquiry into the ultimate unknowable mystery.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Few other writers have such passion for granular detail, intellectual heft and boundless curiosity as Philip Perry. The Times describes his work as suspenseful and pacy as an episode of peak-era ER, while the Guardian praises it as a powerful reflection on death—and what might follow—by the bestselling author of Tribe and The Perfect Storm.

For years, Sebastian Junger, an award-winning war reporter, ventured to numerous front lines, often risking his life. And yet, the closest he ever came to death was during the summer of 2020, while spending a quiet afternoon at his New England home with his wife and two young children. Crippled by abdominal pain, Junger was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. As darkness encroached, he was visited by his dead father, inviting Junger to join him. "It's okay," his father said. "There's nothing to be scared of. I'll take care of you." That was the last thing Junger remembered until he woke up the next day, being told he had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that he should not have survived.

This experience spurred Junger—a confirmed atheist raised by his physicist father to respect the empirical—to undertake a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die. How do we begin to process the brutal fact that any of us might perish unexpectedly on what begins as an ordinary day? How do we grapple with phenomena that science may be unable to explain? And what happens to a person, emotionally and spiritually, when we are forced to reckon with such existential questions?

In My Time of Dying is part medical drama, part searing autobiography, and part rational inquiry into the ultimate unknowable. It explores the emotional and spiritual toll of facing mortality, the challenges of grappling with the unknown, and the search for meaning in the face of uncertainty. Junger's writing is characterized by his meticulous research, his intellectual rigor, and his ability to convey the human experience with empathy and depth.

Through his exploration of the medical and philosophical aspects of death, Junger offers a unique perspective on the human condition. He questions the nature of life and the purpose of existence, exploring the ways in which we can find meaning and fulfillment in the face of adversity. He also raises important ethical and philosophical questions about the treatment of the terminally ill and the role of technology in prolonging life.

My Time of Dying is a powerful and thought-provoking book that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to the enduring power of literature to explore the deepest questions of human existence and to offer solace and insight in times of uncertainty and grief. Whether you are a medical professional, a philosopher, or simply someone who is curious about the mysteries of life and death, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 223 x 143 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008670191