Customer Reviews

Life Is Mostly Edges: A Memoir

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My wife got to the book first. She would not let me read it until she finished it. She finally gave way to sleep at 1:42 Am and dropped the book beside her chair. As she slept, I started the read. What a read.

Dr. Calvin is such a great word smith (is this one or two words?) and I had to look up several of them as I read. His love for family is extraordinary. His love for his mother is godly. His love for Barbara was above reproach. But GOD was his all and all.

After reading this book, I have no doubt that Jesus is the center of his life and Barbara is the reason for this. His desire to succeed is told when he made a "F" in speech and returned for an advanced course. After prayer, and help from a friend, he was able to succeed.

I cried so much in this book that at 4:17 AM, my wife was awaken. "What's wrong with you and why are you awake?" "Why are you crying?"

I then read the next six chapters to her and we cried together. We had breakfast and headed to KCMO to see our newly born granddaughter.

I finished with my wife in Carthage, Missouri at the Super 8 Motel at 9:22 PM.. That morning on the way to KCMO I re-read the last several chapters that referred to the seminary at Ft. Worth. I cried again.

I have ordered more copies for my friends and the church library. I warn you - it's extraordinary.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Part of the reason for that is that like Dr Miller I too am reaching toward my final years but not ready to give up. The best line in the book for me is 'Getting old is not an option, seeming old is!' Every Pastor, young and old, should read this book. Young Pastor - believe me this book is true. It will tell you what is in store for your future. But it will also keep you in the ministry when you want out of the ministry. And in the end you will agree with Calvin Miller that it is worth it. Older Pastor like me - this book will make you laugh out loud and things only Pastors could understand and shed a tear of thankfulness that God has called you to such a hard time. This book is especially good for those who are married and have chosen to love their wives for a lifetime. Actually I can't think of anyone who would not find this book wonderful to read. I have read The Singer and enjoyed it. But after reading this book I am more hopeful, more positive, and becoming more understanding of those who don't understand me. I also came away with very good advice on what it means to be really spiritual. Falling in love with Jesus is the highest priority - but that does not exclude watching the Superbowl or the Tour De France (doesn't everybody). And it certainly doesn't exclude lots of contact with the many things the world offers in art and poetry, novels and museums, vacations and friendships. Dr Miller models a Christian commitment that is profound but not one dimensional. You will be very glad you read this book.

Calvin Miller simply tells the truth. I grew up the preacher's boy in and around the Southern Baptists and I can tell you that not everything that happens in the church or the parsonage is holy. Calvin admits to some of it. I laughed, I cried and, in a couple places, I gritted my teeth. I gave copies of "Edges" to two of my pastors, hoping to encourage them. Calvin is a wonderful story-teller who puts words together in ways that surprise and delight those who hear or read them. For example, he says, "Saint Francis probably lusted. A sackcloth robe covers a multitude of sins." He described one person as "the ugliest man you could see for free." And he said a lot when he wrote, "People who lose their minds never mind it much, but they put a whole lot of stress on those who still have theirs." The pain of his early upbringing gave Calvin a heart for others. He is a strong, courageous man of grace and mercy. He was my pastor in Omaha for a time and he is a lifelong, long distance friend. Thank you, Calvin, for telling your story.

Memoir loving readers age 70 and over will enjoy and relate to Dr. Calvin Miller's earliest memories (1936-1955) especially if they, too, found comfort in various churches where people of faith reached out to help one another. Denomination descriptions are quite funny and true. Family history, including a grandmother born in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail in 1882 is very interesting.

Younger readers catch a glimpse of how a boy grows to manhood with courage and common sense despite church conflicts, a father who deserted his large family, and extreme poverty, in the small mid-west town of Enid, Oklahoma. Discover what a mother's love, a few caring teachers, some compassionate people of faith, an anonymous benefactor, and a wonderful wife, contribute.

First published in 2008, Dr. Miller's life journey from poverty to seminary to Pastor to husband to Professor is well-written with plenty of humor and astonishing candor. He includes some of his poetry, discusses his love of the arts, surprises us with his thoughts on love, sex, and marriage, and concludes with reflections on life after 70 and retirement.

The paperback book is 377 pages and has no pictures. The author has written several books and refers to parts of them in this memoir. He cites his denomination as Southern Baptist. His observations may shock the reader (I have to agree with him). Prepare for surprises - he doesn't mince words!

Very easy to read, makes you laugh but also think! Arrived quickly and in great shape being a used book.

Ever since a friend gave me a copy of Calvin Miller's book "The Singer" I have wanted more. Then I read "The Book of 7 Truths" and the rest of what makes up "The Triology" with "The Singer." Then I read "Snow" and the 3 books that followed. Before I even bought this book I just knew I was in for something good. I even bought 2 copies so I would have the perfect birthday gift for the person who gave me "The Singer", knowing he would love it. He sat up until 1:30 AM the first evening of reading because he couldn't leave it alone. This book is so warm, sometimes humorous, but always deeply spiritual as he bared his soul in this recalling of how he grew up, shared his growing knowledge of who Jesus is, fell in love with the woman who is still the "love of his life", and goes on to inspire the reader in more ways than space allows. Word pictures made me feel like I was right there most of the time. I finished this book two days after I received it and I didn't want it to end. I have already read it the second time. All I can say is "incredible" and this is a "must read."

Calvin's writings always touch my heart and this book gave me
many laughs and tears. He has such a fabulous way of saying things
that I wish I could have said. This book will be a gift to many
friends who are of the "age of Calvin".

This book was extremely well written, poetic, charming, funny, sad, informative, and freeing to many of the burdensome thoughts I've had about the church and its people. This book is an autobiographical account of Calvin Millers life from his youngest days in the onset of the depression until recent. I found many things to laugh about, a few things to tear up about and many things to think about. He had a very hard life in many ways, and a very satisfying life in many other ways but most important he is real, he doesn't come accross as holier than thou but rather a man on a path toward truly knowing Jesus. I don't recall a time in my life that I have read an almost 400 page book in 3 days, but this one was hard to put down, he was a Pastor, A Writer, and a Seminary Professor so you get a first hand look at his life through thoses lenses and it is gripping to say the least.

This is a wonderful book on one man's journey from a humble childhood to becoming one of the creative talents of our time. Calvin lays it all out, the ups and the downs...the successes and failures. There is also a companion DVD available with Calvin Miller and his wife Barbara revisiting the important places in the book and talking about his life. www.calvinmillerauthor.com