As an agnostic atheist, I found this book to be a mostly-balanced take on the history of the afterlife that matches with other works I've read which mention the history of the afterlife but are not necessarily writing with an intent to prove or disprove it. Ehrman states near the start of the book that his purpose is not to promote belief or disbelief in an afterlife, or Heaven and Hell, but I don't think that's an honest self-evaluation. He seems to clearly want to refute the idea of Hell and prove that it is a man-made invention, far more than he rails against the concept of Heaven.

I've read criticisms of this book which state that Ehrman left parts of the Bible out that defied his narrative, but I think that speaks more to how self-contradictory the Bible is than any crafty or deceitful omission by Ehrman. Perhaps he should have included those verses, but I would argue his narrative works fine as it is. This text is, in my perspective, for people who are interested in a secular review of the historical record on the afterlife.

The afterword spoke strongly to my beliefs as an agnostic atheist, but I could see how Ehrman's concluding thoughts, his admitted fallibility, might ruffle strong atheists and theists alike.

I recommend this book, not as a sole authority on the history of the afterlife, but as one work on the topic that people should read. Ehrman is a scholar in the subject and the density of the text reflects that. Read this, along with other works on the afterlife, and decide for yourself what you believe.