Product Description

A recent Newsweek poll reports that 76 percent of Americans believe in heaven. Yet even avid believers have difficulty conjuring up more than vague images of halos, harps, and wispy angels in flowing robes. Anthony DeStefano knew there had to be a more complete, meaningful, and comforting vision of what heaven is like, and A TRAVEL GUIDE TO HEAVEN is the entertaining and enlightening result.

Using the Bible as his guide, the author notes that heaven is not only a spiritual place, but also a physical place, a fabulous “luxury resort” more sumptuous than any on Earth. The residents are real, their bodies transformed into their most perfect selves—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. By making a spiritual subject immensely physical, the book provides a picture of amazing places to visit, things to do, luxuries for pampering—not to mention deep, abiding joy.

Combining the clarity and logic of C. S. Lewis with a terrific sense of fun and adventure, DeStefano creates a brilliant, reassuring portrait of heaven, a place that has intrigued and puzzled humankind throughout history. With its clear view of the afterlife, A TRAVEL GUIDE TO HEAVEN might best be compared to James Van Praagh's Talking to Heaven or Betty J. Eadie's Embraced by the Light in its tremendous message of comfort and reassurance.

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Product Details

Publisher	Doubleday Religion
Format	Hardcover Bargain Price
Author	Anthony DeStefano
Label	Doubleday Religion
Edition	1
Dewey Decimal Number	236.24
Studio	Doubleday Religion
Number Of Pages	208
Title	A Travel Guide to Heaven
Release Date	2003-09-16
Publication Date	2003-09-16
Manufacturer	Doubleday Religion

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Customer Reviews

We need not postpone death as long as possible!

Review by Book Glutton, 2010-09-03

This is not a theological book; however, it is filled with theology. In the Introduction (or what he calls the "Flight Plan"), Anthony DeStefano tell us that the idea of writing this came to him because of the distorted image people have of heaven. He says, although "the general public believes in heaven, not many people seem bubbling over with excitement about it." Many people seem "not to be thinking about it at all." Or, their ideas have become "stale." He also speaks of having attended fifteen funerals in seven months due to sad circumstances. In the midst of all the sadness and grief, the words preached, he felt, "did not resonate with the mourners who heard them." Basically, he is saying, "Heaven has not been made very attractive to us." This is not far-fetched. Listen to the words of Pope Benedict from his Encyclical, Spe Salvi, speaking about the same subject.
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Faith is the substance of hope. But then the question arises: do we really want this--to live eternally? Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living for ever--endlessly--appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end--this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable.
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Sometimes, it is the Scriptures that need to be helped along. Saint Paul tells us in his Letter to the Ephesians, that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Yes, this is inspired Scripture, but still we have to ask: "Is that all Jesus is doing there?" Or, "Right hand?--the Father does not have a body!" You see what I'm saying? You see, the readings, by themselves, did not present enough information about heaven itself. We something that the we can latch onto. DeStefano provides us with something:
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Do you want to understand heaven better than you have in your entire life? Do you want to have a true experience of heaven, right this second? You can without reading another chapter. Simply try this experiment: Take the page you're reading and crinkle the corner. Now listen to the sound it makes. Then grab the chair you're sitting on with your hand and squeeze. Feel how hard it is. Then take a deep breath and let your lungs fill with air. Smell the odors or the room you're sitting in. Finally, look around and see all the various shapes and colors of the objects that are before you.

I'll tell you a secret: heaven is going to be like that. Heaven is physical.

Don't misunderstand me. That's not all heaven is. Heaven is radically, amazingly, incredibly different from the room you're sitting in. If it weren't, it would hardly be worth the trip. But we have to start with the basics. Before we discuss all the exciting and transcendent spiritual aspects of the place, we need to get straight, once and for all, this fundamental truth: Heaven is, at its core, not only spiritual, but material as well.
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He is right! We speak about it too little! Even though we know that we will share in the Resurrection, we forget that we will have our bodies once again. We will recognize each other. We will continue with the relationships that we began here on earth, plus much more! We will enjoy ourselves! Not only will we be with God, we will be with each other--for all eternity! If we can experience the joy and happiness of family and friends here, what about being able to share in this for ever, with no pain, no sickness, no difficulties, no death--nothing at all to worry about--ever! Since we will have our bodies, we will be in a place (although we cannot describe all the characteristics of all of it right now). If we can get attached to this place here on earth, we will have no trouble there. It will not disappoint us in any way, no matter what we have been used to having here.

That's the value of DeStefano's book. He allows us or forces us to think outside the box. It makes heaven a place we can long for and get excited about. Very imaginatively, he creates a sparkling picture of the place we call heaven and what life can be there--our life after death. And look at what some of the big reviews say. For EWTN lovers, Raymond Arroyo says, "Here is an airy, whimsical tour of the great beyond with some very serious points of interest along the way. What a trip!" And, Regis Philbin, "This will be the best trip you ever took!" Check it out!

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A most excellent book!

Review by N. Jean Berry, 2010-03-03

This is the best and most easy to read book about heaven! It is the author's first book, and if this is an example of the way he writes, I want more!!! Throughout this book, God is present. It is a divinely inspired account of what we can look forward to in heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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A Travel Guide to Heaven

Review by Peggy R. Watson, 2010-02-18

I read this book which was recommended to me by a friend in a Grief & Loss group of which I am a member. I'm so glad I did. While reading this book, I caught myself smiling while reading. This book is a very good read & I recommend it to anyone whether they are grieving over a loss or not! Get it, read it - you won't be sorry!

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Excellent book!

Review by Barbara A. Haehn, 2010-01-17

This is an excellent book. We bought one for each of our adult children, though they would be enjoyed at any age. The book arrived right away and in good condition.

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Travel Guide to Heaven

Review by Jayne Flynn, 2009-12-10

Great, I loved every page

thank you,


Jayne

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