Saved by the Light
{{Short description|1994 book by Dannion Brinkley}}{{Infobox book
| author = Dannion Brinkley
| pub_date = 1994
| genre = Non-fiction, memoir
}}
{{italic title}}
Saved by the Light is a 1994 nonfiction book by Dannion Brinkley describing his near-death experience (NDE). It is co-authored by Paul Perry. The book was adapted for a 1995 FOX TV film of the same name starring Eric Roberts.
{{Paranormal}}
Content
Brinkley claims to have been struck by lightning and to have been clinically dead for approximately twenty-eight minutes. He eventually told of a dark tunnel, a crystal city, and a "cathedral of knowledge" where thirteen "angels" shared with him over a hundred revelations about the future, some of which he claims have come true.{{cite news |last1=Tulfo |first1=Ramon |title=We never die |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/02/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/we-never-die/652892 |access-date=31 December 2021 |publisher=The Manila Times |date=2 November 2019}}
Reception
= Commercial success =
Within two weeks of publication, 5,000 copies were added to the initial run of 35,000.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-24-vw-37786-story.html|title='How We Die' Becomes Surprise Hit|last=Colford|first=Paul D.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1994-03-24|access-date=2016-03-25}} The book was on The New York Times{{'}} bestseller charts for over 25 weeks and it was distributed in over 20 countries.{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27183906.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505083538/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27183906.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-05-05|title=Incredible Journey Author's near-death experience brings an enlightened view of life|last=Kelly|first=Leslie|work=The Spokesman-Review|date=1995-01-23|accessdate=2016-03-25}} In 1995, it was made into a movie of the same title.{{IMDb title|qid=Q23708231|id=tt0114342}}
Brinkley wrote three sequels: At Peace in the Light in 1995,{{cite book |last1=Brinkley |first1=Dannion |title=At peace in the light: a man who died twice reveals amazing insights into life, death and its mysteries |date=1995 |publisher=Piatkus |location=London |isbn=9780749915810}} Secrets of the Light in 2009,{{cite book |last1=Brinkley |first1=Dannion |title=Secrets of the light: lessons from heaven |date=2008 |publisher=HarperOne |location=New York |isbn=9780061662461}} and Ten Things to Know Before You Go in 2014.{{cite book |last1=Brinkley |first1=Dannion |title=Ten Things to Know Before You Go: How the Secrets of the Afterlife Can Transform Your Life Now. |date=2013 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Limited |isbn=9780062123886}}
= Refutations =
Some of the book's assertions were subsequently challenged, including claims of where and how Brinkley recovered and how long he was supposedly dead, and claims made about his military service record.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-24-ls-46593-story.html|title=Blinded by the Light? : Tales of near-death experiences--from visions of God to meeting Elvis--fascinate millions of us. But as the stories increase, so does the criticism.|last=Rivernburg|first=Roy|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1995-03-24|access-date=2016-03-25}}B. G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley, Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam generation was robbed of its heroes and its history, pp. 385–387. Verity Press, 1998. {{ISBN|0-9667036-0-X}}.Excerpt from {{YouTube|b4BeWRddAjc|"Reverend Death"}}, June 25, 2008, produced by www.WorldofWonder.net and aired on Britain's Channel 4 Interviews with his physician and the reporter who initially interviewed him indicate that Brinkley never entered the hospital or morgue and that Brinkley originally did not claim to have died, but only that he "was out for a few minutes", and that his wife saved his life.{{YouTube|b4BeWRddAjc|"Dannion Brinkley Exposed"}}