Been Dead, Never Been To Europe: My Recovery From The Widowmaker Heart Attack And The Brain Injury That Came With It

I found Jon's book mesmerizing to the end. It is a sincere and touching reflection of a difficult time in his life. It is an instructive help for others who might be so injured--especially the difficulty with closed head injury.  I recommend this to others.David Willey, MD, FAAFPCatalyst Medical ClinicIt is hard to imagine that a book about surviving a heart attack and its subsequent brain injury could be funny, but somehow Jon Johnston succeeds brilliantly.  His story of death and recovery is gripping and an absolute must-read for anyone who is trying to understand what life is like with brain injury.  He is an inspiring and honest writer who tells his story with a compelling bluntness.  Two thumbs up!Uzma Samadani MD PhD - Neurosurgeon in private practice and at Minneapolis VAMC, Associate Professor at University of Minnesota

"Did you see a light?" is a common question asked of those who have been dead. No one ever asks, "How did it feel?"

Jon Johnston worked hard to stay fit. But the sports website owner’s active lifestyle came to a crashing halt when he was felled by a widowmaker heart attack. Yet after spending twenty minutes legally dead, Jon miraculously returned to the land of living.

Certain he’d regain his full strength despite the incident, he was blindsided by the news of permanent cardio damage. And still reeling from the idea he’d never be the same again, he suffered still more life-altering devastation when he learned the event had left him with a traumatic brain injury…

In this thought-provoking, tragically funny account of one man’s incredible journey to death and back, Jon recounts his struggle to rebuild what he could of his shattered identity. Facing the grief of his body’s betrayal, the loss of his artistic skills, and limited physical ability, he shares his tortuous pathway to healing with humor, true grit, and raw honesty.

Been Dead, Never Been to Europe is a powerful memoir that lays everything bare. If you like extraordinary experiences, laughing through tragedy, and remarkable tenacity, then you’ll love Jon Johnston’s story of a life blown up.