Falling Into Heaven

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 1. SEPT. 2014

As a 19-year-old skydiver, Robinson survived a plane crash but sustained major injuries, nearly all of which should have been fatal. Yet he lived to tell the story of his near-death visit to heaven, the visions of his own future that he experienced there, and the many developments that confused and astonished doctors as his healing defied medical expectations. He also tells of a second spiritual encounter with Jesus after his accident, and weaves in much information about how the 1960s set the stage for his own journey back to faith. While Robinson's descriptions of the sociopolitical ferment of the era provide good context for understanding his spiritual journey, the historical background is heavy at times. Much of the book's success may ultimately hinge on whether readers find Robinson's descriptions of his visions and the instantaneous healings he experienced credible. Unlike other books that have become bestsellers in the genre, the focus of Robinson's story is less on the inspirational lessons of his experience and more on a recounting of what actually happened to him. This adds little to an overpublished topic.