As Alive, So Dead: Investigating the Paranormal

As I mentioned in my review of the author's book titled "When Ghosts Speak," I believe in mediumship and I believe that the author is a genuine medium. What I have a hard time believing is that she is as good as the stories in her two books suggest. She seems to see and hear spirits with a clarity that goes far beyond any other clairvoyant and/or clairaudient medium I have ever observed or read about, and I have observed and read about scores of them. While all other clairvoyants and clairaudients struggle to varying degrees to interpret the names and facts they are seeing or hearing, Mrs. Winkowski gets full names and detailed facts with no difficulty at all.. They respond to her with "nope," "yup," and "yeah," and generally carry on conversations like old friends talking over the telephone."She can do what she wants with it!" one spirit responded to a question by his granddaughter as to what she should do with his personal effects, including his knife collection. "If nobody wants anything, they can sell it. I don't mind. That scrimshaw knife's probably worth a couple of hundred bucks, though." This communication took place at the man's funeral as he stood off to the side of his casket and talked with Winkowski. She mentions that "his face was washed with relief" and that he "sighed heavily," and then, upon realizing that Winkowski could see and hear him, replied with a smirk. I cannot recall any other medium providing such detailed reports. It may be that Winkowski is putting her own words to what she is getting or otherwise embellishing the exchanges to entertain the reader, but there is no explanation suggesting this. I doubt that any other clairvoyant/clairaudient would have got the word "scrimshaw."Actually, this book was first published in 2000 and preceded "When Ghosts Speak," which was published in 2009, but was republished in 2011. The author tells of some childhood clairvoyant experiences and explains that she can only see and communicate with spirits who have not gone into the light, i.e., earthbound spirits. She reports on her experiences with various earthbound spirits, including accident victims, suicide victims and murder victims, and here efforts to convince them to go into the light. "Some spirits just don't believe me, though - some of them don't even believe I can talk to them," she writes, adding that one spirit thought she was witch.The title of the book refers to the much-reported fact that we cross over to the Other Side as we leave this life - with the same beliefs, anxieties, addictions, and concerns with which he held in this life. There is no sudden enlightenment, no celestial harps or fire and brimstone. This is especially true of the earthbound entities that Winkowski is in touch with. "Your usual earthbound entities are here for a specific reason - to catch a murderer or haunt an insurance adjuster or tell someone where the diamonds are hidden, or simply because they're afraid to cross over - but are not here necessarily to help out," Winkoski explains. She tells of one accident victim who became jealous when his widow began dating another man and began making life miserable for them. Another interesting story involves a murder victim providing information leading to the arrest of his assailant.Winkowski says she has little time for skeptics. That is unfortunate, since if the stories are accurately reported, she might convert many skeptics to a belief in mediumship, spirits, spirit communication, and life after death, and the world might then be a better place. As it is, only a gullible choir would accept the stories without some degree of skepticism. In her second book, she wrote of working with police detectives to solve some crimes, but there was absolutely nothing in the book, e.g., letters from the detectives, newspaper clippings, etc., attesting to any of it. The same goes for this book. I'd very much like to believe that she is as good as the stories suggest, but I can't help being skeptical. I know that she was a consultant for the "Ghost Whisperer" TV program and that some people have reported being very much impressed with her, but her ability needs better and more independent confirmation.

Interesting

I decided to buy this book out of curiosity due to the author's involvement with "The Ghost Whisperer." I wanted to read the truth about what the author does. Also, I recently found out she lives 15 minutes from me as my girlfriend's neighbor. I was born in a psychic family and am familiar with spirits and psychic readings - I do them myself. I found the stories in the book to be very interesting and I did read through it quickly.However - and I am sorry to have to say this - I did find Mary Ann's attitude in this book quite off-putting. She refers to police officers as "clowns," and throughout the book, is condescending and rude in her interactions with people and spirits. Her attitude made me feel annoyed and uncomfortable, and had me wishing for a major attitude adjustment for the author. Someone with such a gift has a duty to not only "perform her job," but also do it in a kind and loving way. She is portrayed as if everything that happens to her is a big pain in the butt. If this was an attempt to make her look down-to-earth, it failed miserably and instead portrays her as coarse and curt.I am considering reading her second book, but perhaps borrowing it will be a better option for me. I prefer to read things that make me feel uplifted instead of feeling like I just spent too much time with a curmudgeon. I question her "special" quince seeds. I find her lack of understanding of the Spirit World a bit disturbing. She should have gained some perspective on the subject by now. I highly recommend "Journey of Souls" by Michael Newton, Ph.D. or "Life in the World Unseen" by Anthony Borgia for those interested in what may lie ahead in our Afterlife. I really wanted to like this book, but I find myself in the peculiar position of liking and disliking it at the same time.

I was reading Mary Ann Winkowski's book "As Alive, So Dead" while in the hospital and finished it minutes before I was discharged. Some of the hospital staff asked me what the book was about, some sat and talked to me about spirits they've seen of their pets and people, while others shuddered, shook their heads and walked away. To each his/her own feelings and beliefs. I found the book well written, highly entertaining and it gave me new insight into Mary Ann's cleverness in dealing with spirits (and she is VERY clever) and the downright steadfast guts it takes to go up against some demonic or lower level beings singlehandedly. She opened up new ways of dealing with earthbound ghosts and some spirits who linger for one reason or another (unfinished business). I am truly amazed at her ability to communicate with the dead and to have her findings validated by other people involved. She is a savvy lady with a wonderful God-given talent (and it runs in various degrees in the family) and uses it for the good of others (those "here" and those "not"). A good book to add to your "must read" collection. I am very happy it was republished.

A number of years back my Mother's health was in danger and I was quite scared about what was going to happen with her. When I got home I was standing next to my Great Grandmother's sideboard where she used to keep a bottle of Lilac perfume. The sideboard had been in our house for fifteen years at least, both of my parents smoked roughly a pack a day and I hadn't had a scent of the perfume in thirty years. But when I came in the door and stood next to that sideboard that night all I could smell was the overwhelming scent of Lilacs. I KNOW my Great Grandma was there to comfort me. I have heard Mary Ann Winkowski on the radio, and have gone to see her in person. Pawn the cat and buy this book, she also has others. There is a serene peacefulness that comes with reading her words

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Brilliant Book.I bought this after losing my Husband & it did give me peace,I know it sounds daft, but to think the he may have been at his own funeral gave me a real sense of happiness.I know he would have been so happy tor see all the fuss we made for him & his friends being there for himI have been to a couple of Funerals & I have seen something that I could never explain away, now I know what I saw.It is a completely different approach to the normal type of books on the subject.I am so happy that I have read it & now I do watch out for more writings from this remarkable Lady.Strudelxx

I wanted to read this after watching The Ghost Whisperer box set. I was intrigued by 'real' story behind the fiction.It was a fascinating read, simply told, and in such a matter- of- fact way that it seems honest and true.It's quite short and quick to read. I have just bought her follow up book 'When Ghosts Speak.'