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Evolution of the English Language, Nonfiction, Near Death Experience Book Genre Over the Past Fifty Years.

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Title: Evolution of the English Language, Nonfiction, Near Death Experience Book Genre Over the Past Fifty Years.
Authors: Bosco-Ruggiero, Stephanie1 (AUTHOR) boscoruggier@fordham.edu
Source: Omega: Journal of Death & Dying. Feb2026, Vol. 92 Issue 3, p1582-1609. 28p.
Subject Terms: *Intellect, *Qualitative research, *Content analysis, *Textbooks, *Books, *Autobiography, *Longitudinal method, *Theory of knowledge, *Electronic books, *Bibliometrics, *Authors, *Written communication, Professional practice, Near-death experiences, Print materials, Neurosciences, Manuscripts, Reflection (Philosophy), Chi-squared test, Descriptive statistics, Thematic analysis, Biography (Literary form), Spirituality, English language, Sacred books, Physicians, Data analysis software, Literature, Christianity, Patients' attitudes
Abstract: This study looks at the evolution of the nonfiction English language near death experience (NDE) book genre over the past 50 years. The key research aim was to identify subgenres of NDE books to better understand how the epistemology of NDEs has been shaped by the popular literature. The study employed a qualitative methodology and was both inductive and deductive. World Cat and Library of Congress databases were used to identify printed and digital books, as well as textbooks, published on the NDE topic. Each book was coded to classify it within a specific subgenre. Findings showed that the largest subgenre of English language NDE books has been the experiencer account, whether written in an autobiographical or biographical format. Other large subgenres have included scientific investigations, religiously oriented books (especially Christian), and books exploring the personal aftereffects of NDEs. Subgenres that have emerged in recent decades include compilations of "lessons" from NDEs, books written by neuroscientists, and books written by medical practitioners about patient experiences. The author concludes that public knowledge about NDEs has been greatly shaped by experiencer accounts published in books. Furthermore, the emergence of new subgenres of NDE books, and the growth of others, signals ongoing change in the epistemology of the phenomenon. Reflexive practice was central to the development of the final manuscript. Reflexivity is seamlessly integrated throughout the paper and demonstrates how the author's familiarity with the book genre, and the NDE subject in general, shaped the development and conduct of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Omega: Journal of Death & Dying is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Evolution of the English Language, Nonfiction, Near Death Experience Book Genre Over the Past Fifty Years.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bosco-Ruggiero%2C+Stephanie%22">Bosco-Ruggiero, Stephanie</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> boscoruggier@fordham.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Omega%3A+Journal+of+Death+%26+Dying%22">Omega: Journal of Death & Dying</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 92 Issue 3, p1582-1609. 28p.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study looks at the evolution of the nonfiction English language near death experience (NDE) book genre over the past 50 years. The key research aim was to identify subgenres of NDE books to better understand how the epistemology of NDEs has been shaped by the popular literature. The study employed a qualitative methodology and was both inductive and deductive. World Cat and Library of Congress databases were used to identify printed and digital books, as well as textbooks, published on the NDE topic. Each book was coded to classify it within a specific subgenre. Findings showed that the largest subgenre of English language NDE books has been the experiencer account, whether written in an autobiographical or biographical format. Other large subgenres have included scientific investigations, religiously oriented books (especially Christian), and books exploring the personal aftereffects of NDEs. Subgenres that have emerged in recent decades include compilations of "lessons" from NDEs, books written by neuroscientists, and books written by medical practitioners about patient experiences. The author concludes that public knowledge about NDEs has been greatly shaped by experiencer accounts published in books. Furthermore, the emergence of new subgenres of NDE books, and the growth of others, signals ongoing change in the epistemology of the phenomenon. Reflexive practice was central to the development of the final manuscript. Reflexivity is seamlessly integrated throughout the paper and demonstrates how the author's familiarity with the book genre, and the NDE subject in general, shaped the development and conduct of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Omega: Journal of Death & Dying is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/00302228231209859
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 28
        StartPage: 1582
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Intellect
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Content analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Textbooks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Books
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autobiography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Longitudinal method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Theory of knowledge
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic books
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      – SubjectFull: Bibliometrics
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      – SubjectFull: Authors
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      – SubjectFull: Written communication
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      – SubjectFull: Professional practice
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      – SubjectFull: Near-death experiences
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      – SubjectFull: Print materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neurosciences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Manuscripts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reflection (Philosophy)
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      – SubjectFull: Chi-squared test
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      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Biography (Literary form)
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      – SubjectFull: Spirituality
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      – SubjectFull: English language
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      – SubjectFull: Sacred books
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      – SubjectFull: Physicians
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      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Literature
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Christianity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Patients' attitudes
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Evolution of the English Language, Nonfiction, Near Death Experience Book Genre Over the Past Fifty Years.
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              M: 02
              Text: Feb2026
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              Y: 2026
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