Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us about Life Paperback – May 4, 2010

I haven’t gotten the chance to read the whole book yet but what I have read so far is a great read. Looking forward to reading the whole book. He has a lot of great ideas for dealing with life and death.

I just finished this book. I really enjoyed reading it. My mom crossed over a little over a month ago and I'm on an emotional roller coaster I can't seem to slow down or get off. I've always been intrigued by James Van Praagh and his abilities. This book allowed him the forum to provide an in-depth analysis of readings that help the audience better understand and overcome struggles with guilt, regret, anger, denial and blame that often arise after suffering the devastating loss of a loved one. All the lessons in the book are "taught" or guided by spirits who relay messages through James to their family members and friends. Because the lessons of forgiveness, taking the "high road," doing unto others and letting the past stop ruling the present are meaningful to those still on the earth plane, this book is a wonderful learning tool for anyone who wishes to reinvent their life and live more authentically. I found the prose and insights incredibly detailed and fresh. I also love that James wrote the book within the context of his own discovery of the meaning behind a recurring dream - a dream that ultimately led him to title his book "Unfinished Business." To his credit, James also provides one of the most coherent and beautifully articulated descriptions of God I have ever read (pg. 160). While virtually impossible to rid ourselves of the negative emotional ties that bind us over night, James contends it's essential we liberate ourselves from them now to the best of our abilities lest we fall victim to taking our unfinished business with us into the spirit realm when we ourselves pass on.

I am so grateful to James he's been around for years. A good lesson in what the truth is about heaven. I had visitation from my baby brother in 1989 passed of aids. He's fine shared some wisdom with me

James is a true legitimate medium but since I have been involved in the field all my life it was too rudimentary for me. I passed it on to a woman who is very much in need of this information and she loved it. It is a good book, but if you have any experience in the field, there is nothing new in there to learn. He does have more informative books for the more advanced.

I ordered this book because I was going to attend the 'Celebrate Your Life' conference in Chicago 2009. I was packed & had my car keys in my hand - literally ready to leave - when my husband of 14 years told me that he had bought a second home & was planning on 'moving out' of our family home - alone. Well, with a bomb like that - I obviously didn't make the seminar, although I know now that hopping into the car & driving straight to the conference would've been the best thing for me to have done at the time. But, with a young son at home, I just didn't feel comfortable saying, 'oh-ok-sure!' & driving several hundred miles away - leaving my little one alone with my husband - a man who had obviously become a NEW person right before my eyes!!After the usual mess & drama such unexpected news leaves in its wake had taken its toll - with the hopes of some escape - I began reading Mr. Van Praagh's book. I was looking for anything to read that didn't focus on divorce, relationships, separations, etc., not expecting that this book would have anything to do with my 'situation' and of course not expecting that it could help me with my situation.But, Mr. Van Praagh's book did--somehow--speak directly to me and directly to the agonizing situation that I was in the middle of. I found myself crying along with some of the stories and insights he and his 'audiences' discovered. And, I found myself 'a player' in some of those same stories. I finished the book in about four days... and my heart slowly swung around from wanting a punitive, angry separation or divorce from my husband, to where my heart is now... leaving most (not all of it because it's still an open wound) but leaving most of the pain aside and concentrating on ME and my son.I told my husband that I finally remembered WHO I was and that I was a strong, capable, wonderful person who would survive this unilateral decision my husband made (I would surely have handled things a bit differently!) but for the sake of our young son, and for my own sanity, I was willing to work on ideas for making this separation happen.Perhaps just the thought or reality of dying with 'Unfinished Business' might have played a role in this 'change of heart' I was experiencing? Although I think the stronger message--the message I needed to hear--in Mr. Van Praagh's book is toward the end when he talks about how short life is, and how much work it takes to stay angry or fearful or sad, when that same energy can be used to make our world--as well as the world around us--happier and friendlier.Thank you Mr. Van Praagh. I'm sure you knew that your book could help others--I just wanted to write about how it helped me in such an unusual and timely way. There are no coincidences, right? ;-)

This book touched my very soul. I don't agree with the author 100 % on everything he states, but I cherish the wisdom and lessons in the book.Readings from parents that lost children were especially touching, and James does not shy away from readings that didn't end well. I appreciate his honesty and vulnerability in sharing some personal and moving stories.Great read and worth the price and the 5 stars.I wanted to update this, as 2 weeks after I read this book, my husband of 30 years died unexpectedly. The grief was and still is at times mind-numbing as he was my best friend. I was so grateful that even though we thought we would see each other in just a couple of hours, our last words to one another were "I love you!" This was a normal everyday/night ritual. I don't have any guilt over our parting. Is he around me? I don't really know. I hear his voice, but I was so in tune with him before death it could just be I know exactly what he would say to me. I still wonder though and hope he is with me.

For myself it’s very hard to put these books down. They may not be for everyone, but if you believe in the afterlife these are exceptional books!

on time

Don't know how much truth is there in his interactions with the dead!!!

AT FIRST I HESITATED TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK, BUT WAS DRAWN TO IT.WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED TO READ IT. TO MY SUPRISE THIS IS A WONDERFUL BOOK, EASY TO UNDERSTAND, AND GIVES YOU A WORLD OF NEW INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS.. THIS BOOK LEFT ME FEELING GOOD ,UNDERSTANDING MY PROBLEMS BETTER AND EVEN GUIDANCE TO HELP YOUR SELF. THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS VERY HELP FULL BOOK.I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY ONE TO READ THIS BOOK.MARGOT SARACENO

A must read for anyone wanting to change/ improve oneself while still alive before it is to late. A lot to think about. A lot to do. I only wish more people read, understand and apply the advice given in this inspirational book. God Bless.