The Immortal Mind

A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul

By: Michael Egnor, Denyse O'Leary

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

A neuroscientist and surgeon makes an argument for the existence of a spiritual human soul in this eye-opening book.

Many scientists and doctors believe that there is no such thing as the soul. That there is no part of us that persists beyond death. We are not spiritual in any respect. We are made up of cells and tissue, and completely controlled by a material organ in our heads: the brain. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Egnor makes the case—based on 40 years of practice and over 7,000 brain surgeries—that science has gotten it all wrong.

The human brain is incredible, mysterious, and powerful. But it’s not what makes us who we are. The soul does that. Drawing on the most important research studies in neuroscience, Dr. Egnor presents evidence that the brain alone does not explain the mind. He explores, using modern neuroscience and his vast surgical experience, how inside every damaged brain there is a thinking, feeling person with a spiritual soul that transcends the brain, using fascinating case studies to prove his claim.

Engaging, thought-provoking, and groundbreaking, The Immortal Mind shows here that some aspect of who we are is spiritual and immortal, transcending the physical body.

Critic reviews

“This book blew me away. As I read it, I shared many of the stories with my wife. Why? While I have studied the philosophy of mind since graduate school in the early 2000s, Dr. Egnor makes some fresh insights because of his training and experience as a neurosurgeon. If you want to know if there’s good evidence for the existence of the soul, The Immortal Mind book is a must-read.”—Sean McDowell, Ph.D., professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, an author or editor of over 20 books, and a popular YouTuber

“Following the pioneering work of the late Wilder Penfield, neurosurgeon Michael Egnor and science writer Denyse O’Leary revolutionize the study of the human mind as radically separate from the brain. Materialism collapses in the face of their remorseless evidentiary assault on the unclothed emperors of neuroscience.”—George Gilder, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute; New York Times bestselling author

“A fascinating and insightful examination of the scientific evidence for the continuity of consciousness after the death of our body, because our mind transcends the brain.”—Pim van Lommel, cardiologist, author of ‘Consciousness beyond life’

“Courageous. Drawing from 40 years in neurosurgery, they argue that real people don’t fit into tidy physicalist categories, they are far more complex than that. Egnor and O’Leary make the case for the mind being more than simply the brain not by stepping outside of neuroscience, but by pointing to evidence within it. They show that clinical neuroscience itself points to the reality that we are so much more than just our brains. The Immortal Mind is an important and well-argued addition to the conversation on mind, brain and soul and I highly recommend that you read it.”—Dr. Sharon Dirckx, PhD Speaker, broadcaster and author of ‘Am I Just My Brain?’

“Dr. Egnor speaks as a neurosurgeon who has performed over seven thousand brain operations, a medical school professor who has taught medical students and aspiring neurosurgeons for forty years, and as a diligent researcher who has applied the rigorous methods of science to discoveries about how the brain works. In eloquent language Michael Egnor and Denyse O’Leary present compelling scientific evidence alongside extracts from 2,000 years of philosophy to give conclusive evidence that the human soul is real and that human beings are not mere machines made of meat. This book is essential reading for seekers of Truth who desire to know the real meaning of life.”—The Reverend Lee Kenyon, Parochial Administrator, St John Henry Newman Catholic Church

“A must-read book not just for anyone grappling with the mind-body problem but also for anyone trying to understand what it truly means to be human.”—William A. Dembski, author of The Design Inference

When science meets purpose

This book really blows and opens your mind! As a medical student that has gone through neuro anatomy and neurological clinical rotations, I can confirm that we tend to unify brain specific areas functions with specific activities- leaving the thinking process uniquely to the brain 🧠. Which yes, it has big functional part on it.

But what about that which is not physical? Like the spirit, soul? We can’t explain such things as that in the physical brain. We as humans are so much more than that. We have a real conscience. And I am greatful to have listened to this audiobook. It was worth every minute.

From the perspective of an experienced neurosurgeon, looking at the brain as he describes beautifully with a vast of references, is really just wonderful and humbling!

Neurosurgeon’s understanding and point of view of the mind, brain, and their respective differences.

Phenomenal book. It was enjoyable from start to finish. I highly recommend it to all.

The Immortal mind is fact

The book is backed by real life observations from a actual neurosurgeon with 7000 patients. This makes him the world’s most authoritative expert on the brain and how it’s works.

Thought provoking, eloquent, truthful.

Loved every minute of it! Happy that the chapters were well planned out and the narrator’s voice was fantastic.

Fantastic drive into the neurological case for a soul

So much information concerning the workings of the brain. The explanation of the mind/soul was exceptional. Highly recommend.