The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a fanciful novel by Mitch Albom that spent 95 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. It recounts how a janitor named Eddie encounters in the hereafter five people who were affected by his time on earth. First, Eddie meets Joseph, “The Blue Man” from a freak show, who was killed when he crashed his car, avoiding young Eddie – who as a child had dashed out in the street. Next Eddie encounters his commanding officer in World War II – who had promised his troops: “No man gets left behind” and is killed saving Eddie's life. Then Eddie meets Ruby, whose husband was present at Eddie’s father’s death and is able to share the details. Eddie's fourth meeting is with Marguerite, Eddie’s wife. They recall their life together, simple but mostly happy until her death. Finally, Eddie meets a child who he was unable to save from a fire that he started. In these inspiring and thought-provoking encounters, Eddie learns forgiveness and how to rest eternally at peace.

~ Rob Kerby

Purchase "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" here.