Book Review — Rider on the Pale Horse: My 70 Days in Coma by Peter Halo

Peter Halo’s Rider on the Pale Horse: My 70 Days in Coma is a riveting, spiritual, and deeply personal chronicle of one man’s near-death journey and miraculous recovery during the harrowing early days of the Wuhan virus pandemic. The book is not merely a medical survival story—it is a divine testimony wrapped in vivid detail, powerful visions, and a sense of unwavering faith.

From the opening pages, Peter Halo plunges readers into the isolating and terrifying world of his repeated hospital visits, subsequent reinfection, and eventual coma. With stark honesty and emotional clarity, he describes the fear, the pain, and the surreal descent into critical illness. But what elevates this book beyond a typical memoir is its spiritual core—Peter Halo recounts divine visions, encounters with loved ones in otherworldly realms, and messages that guided him through the darkest hours.

Marl Noble Book Review

Title: Rider on the Pale Horse: My 70 Days in Coma

Author: Peter Halo

Publisher: Xulon Press (March 25, 2025)

ISBN-13: 979-8868512650

Pages: 246 pages

Genre: Biographies & Memoirs, Professionals & Academics, Medical Professional Biographies, Leaders & Notable People, Religious.

Reviewer: Wendy Salinas, Ph.D. | Marl Noble Book Review

Peter Halo, a man with an impressive academic and professional background—from a Jesuit education to a senior leadership role at Bear Stearns—finds himself stripped of all worldly status, left with nothing but his soul and his faith. It is this raw vulnerability that makes the narrative so compelling. His writing is humble, heartfelt, and, at times, profoundly moving. He attributes the structure, message, and even the title of the book to divine revelation, claiming the Lord “downloaded” the vision for the project directly to him.

The book is more than a testimony—it is a call to reflect on resilience, the power of prayer, and the mysteries of life and death. Readers who have faced illness, loss, or moments of helplessness will find both solace and inspiration in Halo’s experience. His story reminds us that even in the valley of the shadow of death, faith can light the path toward healing.

While intensely personal and spiritual, Rider on the Pale Horse also reads like a cinematic journey, filled with moments of suspense, revelation, and hard-won triumph. Peter Halo’s account is a bold declaration of survival, grace, and the miraculous power of belief. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking encouragement through hardship or a firsthand witness to divine intervention in the modern age.

About the Author

Peter Halo spent his successful career on Wall Street, retiring at the age of 52 as managing director of Bear Stearns. He was educated at Westchester Conservatory and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.