Neil Hanson (2) (1954–)

There is a sentence on the back of this little book that, I think, best sums up the content therein. It reads:

'Explore the strength of "uncertainty" as a gift through which the magic of Wisdom and Truth might enter our life.'

In the form of a letter addressed "Dear Dad", Neil Hanson allows us into some very personal and very spiritual moments as he 'journeys to the edge of death with his father', and remains behind as his father carries on over that edge.

What impressed me most about this show more book was Mr. Hanson's ability to lay bare some very personal emotions and experiences without apology. As I read, I wondered to myself why it was so easy for me to simply accept the experiences I was reading about. The conclusion I reached was that in not asking me to believe what he was saying, Neil Hanson allowed me to see the truth in what he experienced. He writes in a way that is open and non-judgemental which allows the reader to be the same.

The experiences Neil went through as his father lay in the ICU dying, and the realizations he came to over the following fifteen years, make for an intense spiritual story. More than that, however, they open the door to the exploration of long held beliefs as well as new spiritual ideas.

In exploring the events of, and surrounding, his father's death, the author manages to explore the spiritual without spilling over into the religious. He does this by not spelling out the name of Deity but instead using 'G-d' and terms such as 'Spirit'; 'Presence'; 'Something Divine', and by alternating between male and female pronouns when writing about this Power. Also, in the 'Notes to the Reader' at the beginning of the book the reader is invited to:

'Make no assumptions or pre-judgements about what I might mean by the word, and instead, paint the word with your own beliefs.'

This inspirational treatise has given me a lot to think about and has refocused my spiritual lens. It is a book I know I will return to and reread as I travel my own path of new experiences and uncertainties. Definitely one I would recommend to anyone with a spiritual - not just Christian - bent. show less

"Standing beside the bed with Julie, I felt Erik's spirit as clearly as I saw his face, and it was obvious that a circle had begun to close - a circle that had been incomplete before he entered the room." Page 40 & 41.

I believe in this circle too...I believe we begin to come full circle with our life and the lives of our brothers and sisters when the circle is complete with love for each other that is there, but many times not expressed. I think it is a beautiful closure for everyone.

This is show more an extremely introspective book that will make the reader think about his/her life and the relationship with family and especially one's parents.

Do you we really know another person the way we should know them....how they feel, how they perceive/perceived things? Or...is it better to not know the "all" about the life of our parents as we grew up and our relationship with them.

There is also a theme of forgiveness throughout the book. It was difficult to get started, but once you begin reading this short book, you will want to continue so you can compare your life to what is going on in the book and perhaps make changes in relationships before it will be a regret for you. 4/5 show less

Article first published as Book Review: Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty by Neil Hanson on Blogcritics.

In a time of unrest and world troubles, spirituality begins to eke back in the mainstream of society. Looking for the ever-elusive answers, many search for the process of belief.

Among this trouble and turmoil, Neil Hanson has brought forth an in-depth work of his own experiences, both as a young man and later as a grieving son. In Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty, we follow the show more ever-expanding view and belief of Hanson as he puts his thoughts and feelings on paper, in the form of a letter to his departed father.

His story is written with emotion and feeling. His emotions show through and whether they are his anger or his hope he shares them with the reader. He does not hide or try to belittle the mistakes he has made on his journey; he just states them as they are.

He does a brilliant job of allowing his emotion to show through and yet he does not push his belief as the only answer. He shares his experiences of a possible after death experience with a brilliance he tries to explain, one that happened in a wrestling tournament when he was young and knocked unconscious. Even knowing at that time that something extraordinary has happened, he is not ready to believe or to share his experience.

It was only as he sat with his father as his life slowly slid away and he watched the finality of the process that he is again offered a glimpse of that certain something the many often search for throughout their lives.

If you are a believer in a higher being, regardless of religious belief, or even a non-believer, you will find the poignancy of the story both sad and yet interesting. The beauty of the words adds a bit of poetry and harmony.

Through it all Hanson makes no excuses, he highlight his selfishness and thoughtlessness, as well as the beauty and wonder. I enjoyed the text in the form of a letter, although at times, I could not find the letter itself, and it read more like the passage of a self-expose.

If you are at all interested in spirituality or just wonder about the beauty of the universe, this would be a wonderful book for you. It is short and compact but carries hope and joy, along with a different way to look at life. In Hanson’s uncertainty, there is a form of verse and beauty: a certain creativity and sensitivity that guide you through the life of the author.

This would be a great book for a book club, a chance to talk about beliefs and thoughts. It would be a chance to air perceptions and interests, and lend credibility to both sides of the conversation.

This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material. show less

PEACE AT THE EDGE OF UNCERTAINTY by Neil Hanson
Published by High Prairie Press
ISBN 13: 978-0-9826391-0-8
At the request of Tribute Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion

Synopsis (from tour press package): In this story told in the first-person form of a letter from a middle-aged man to his deceased father, Hanson invites us to journey with him through the final days of the father’s life, finding a magical transition waiting at the end of that journey. The story show more weaves end-of-life reality and spiritual questioning into a sensitive and revealing tapestry of Truth and Wisdom. The tapestry is colored with true stories of mystical experiences that inform the spiritual path of the son.

Most of us will face difficult and painful end-of-life decisions with the most important people in our lives. The threads of this aspect of the story are sensitive, and Hanson reveals the struggles and destinations of the son as he wrestles deeply with the journey that he must walk in making these decisions for his dying father.

My Thoughts and Opinions: When I was first approached to read and review this book, and after reading the synopsis above, I honestly had to step back and think about it. Due to the fact that I am personally going through this same process, could this topic help or would it add to the stress I am already feeling. I kept reading the 2nd paragraph and felt that, yes, being the sole person responsible, it would help, and so I accepted.

It is a very short read (approximately 100 pages), and as the synopsis states, is a letter from a son to his father through the process of death and dying. It is also about the journey the son takes with his own faith. And as stated in the synopsis "difficult and painful end-of-life decisions", yes, a decision had to be made by the writer and 2 siblings but I felt that it was glossed over. In all fairness to the author, my expectations were set high on surviving family members having to make the "painful and difficult decisions". Being a former nurse and now the sole family member who is making the tough decisions, I was hoping that this book would convey how important it is and to help open communication within families regarding this topic, that is so uncomfortable to talk about but a reality no less, and one conversation that should take place.

My Rating: 2 show less