Howard Storm

Howard Storm is an American Christian minister and author best known for his book "My Descent Into Death" (2000), which details his near-death experience while an atheist professor in 1985. Prior to his spiritual transformation, Storm was a professor of art at Northern Kentucky University and a self-proclaimed atheist. During a trip to Paris in 1985, he suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that led to what he describes as a profound near-death experience, which completely altered his worldview and life direction. Following his recovery, Storm left his academic career and became ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ. He has since written multiple books about spirituality and his experiences, including "Befriend God" (2020) and "The Autobiography of Howard Storm" (2017). Storm's account of his near-death experience has been featured in various documentaries and media programs, including an appearance on NBC's "Today Show." His work continues to be referenced in discussions and literature about near-death experiences and spiritual transformations.

Readers strongly engage with Storm's account of his near-death experience, particularly in "My Descent Into Death." Many readers report the book impacted their own spiritual beliefs. What readers liked: - Raw, honest writing style - Detailed descriptions of his experience - The transformation from atheist to believer - Practical spiritual insights in later chapters - Personal, conversational tone What readers disliked: - Repetitive passages - Limited theological depth - Some found later chapters preachy - Questions about memory accuracy decades after events Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.1/5 from 1,200+ ratings - Amazon: 4.5/5 from 800+ reviews - BookBrowse: 4.2/5 One reader noted: "Storm's frank admission of his previous skepticism makes his account more credible." Another wrote: "The hellish descriptions felt authentic but the heaven sections seemed influenced by his later religious studies." His follow-up books receive less attention, with "Befriend God" averaging 3.8/5 from fewer than 100 reviews.

My Descent Into Death (2000) A firsthand account of Storm's near-death experience in 1985 and its impact on his transformation from atheism to Christianity.

Lessons Learned (2001) A collection of spiritual insights and teachings that Storm attributes to his conversations with beings he encountered during his near-death experience.

It's All Love (2014) An exploration of spiritual concepts focusing on divine love and its role in human existence, based on Storm's personal experiences and subsequent ministry work.

The Autobiography of Howard Storm (2017) A comprehensive narrative of Storm's life, including his career as an art professor, his near-death experience, and his journey to becoming a Christian minister.

Betty Eadie wrote about her near-death experience and spiritual transformation in a similar way to Storm's account. Her work focuses on describing encounters with light beings and receiving spiritual messages during her experience.

Don Piper details his own near-death experience following a car accident and subsequent spiritual journey. His first-hand accounts parallel Storm's descriptions of encountering beings of light and receiving insights about life's purpose.

George Ritchie documented his near-death experience during World War II and subsequent spiritual revelations. His work explores themes of divine love and life review that align with Storm's descriptions.

Dannion Brinkley chronicles multiple near-death experiences and their impact on his understanding of life and death. His accounts contain similar elements to Storm's, including encounters with spiritual beings and receiving prophetic information.

Mary Neal describes her near-death experience as a medical doctor who drowned while kayaking. Her work combines medical perspective with spiritual experience in a way that echoes Storm's transition from skeptic to believer.