90 Minutes in Heaven is the true story of Don Piper, a Baptist minister who died in a tragic car accident, written by Don Piper and co-writer, Cecil Murphy.

This is not a new book, having been first published in 2004. The cover of the copy I picked up stated there were more than 1 million copies in print. It is on the New York Times best seller list. Why didn’t anyone ever tell me about it? The more of it I read, the more I became convinced that I want to tell others because I think everyone should read it.

There are three very important parts to this book. Each one, in itself, is well worth reading and gets my recommendation.
First is the story of Don Piper’s tragic automobile accident. His Ford Escort was crushed by an 18 wheeler. He died instantly at the moment of the crash, but God had other plans. God spoke to a man waiting in the line of stopped traffic. Dick Onerecker felt compelled to pray for the dead man in the wrecked car and as a result, Don Piper was brought back to life 90 minutes after being pronounced dead.

Second is the story of the 90 minutes of Mr. Piper’s death and his time in heaven. His first hand description is sure to make anyone long for their heavenly home. I often think about his impression of the sound of angel’s wings. “a beautiful, holy melody with a cadence that seemed never to stop.”

Third and possibly the most powerful part of the book is the story of how he coped with his broken body, surviving a long and exhausting recovery while experiencing constant pain. In this he found a mission in ministering to those who suffer.

I recommend this book.
Read it to gain a real life belief that miracles still happen today.
Read it to gain reassurance of what heaven is like and the comfort of knowing what will happen when we, as believers, die.
Read it to gain an understanding of living with pain and finding a purpose in life after tragedy.

Don Piper has been an ordained minister since 1985 and has served in several capacities on church staffs, including six years as senior pastor. He now brings his amazing story to churches, organizations and universities, leading seminars, revivals, conferences, and area-wide rallies all over the continent.

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life

at Amazon.com