And Should We Die...: A Young Man's Experience with the Miraculous

by Ron McMillan, Randy McMillan

Genres: Lds

198 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rachel]

Synopsis: Young Randy McMillan, a fantastic wrestler, friend, student, and leader in high school goes off to college for a semester and then decides to serve a 2 year LDS mission for his church. He is called to go to Italy and he serves successfully for about 18 months. When one day he awakens with a terrible pain and is rushed to the hospital. They do an emergency surgery when they find out that Randy has Leukemia. Bad. At the time it was unheard of to survive Leukemia. He is sent home from his mission and is immediately sent to the University of Utah to receive treatment. He goes through a stage of getting better, cancer in complete remission, and then it suddenly comes back with great force. He tells of a story about going on a camping trip with his 15 year old brother and his friend. It is a memoir about his life and all the lives he touched because of his cancer.
Review: I really liked this book. It is a tear-jerker. The whole story about Randy and the many miracles he was a part of. So many things happened in his life that could have and SHOULD have gone completely wrong, but didn't. It is amazing.
What stood out to me is the honesty of the author. Randy's brother, Ron, actually wrote the story for Randy. Randy knew he was going to die and he wanted a way to keep his story alive. Ron suggested that he write a book; Randy loved the idea. He asked Ron to write it for him. I love how honest Ron is in saying that it took him years to finish the book. Randy passes away, Ron finished his interviews for the book, and kind of puts the book aside. But he is so honest in saying that he didn't really want to finish the book. I would not have been that honest.
I would recommend this to anybody who wants a really touching true story of a truly miraculous person. Mostly people of the LDS faith will understand this the best, but it is truly, truly amazing.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is not the best but the message is. Helped me in a time of my cancer treatment where I was doubting my ability to be healed. Strengthened my faith and helped me see places I needed to grow.

[Tim Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ron McMillan and Randy McMillan, American Family, 2003 – Ron tells the story of his brother Randy, who struggled with Leukemia and ultimately succumbed. I’m not sure this one should be on a list of books about NDEs since the only reference we have to life after death is Randy, now dead, visiting his father in the hospital when his father was sick. If you know the story, you know that Randy served as Lance Richardson’s spirit guide as told in his cousin’s book, The Message, listed below. The book is well written, uplifting, enjoyable, and very LDS. Ron did a good job but there are so many references to the LDS lifestyle that a person not of the faith would have a hard time understanding much of it. This book is a great tribute to Randy and a good follow-up to The Message but doesn’t add much to understanding NDEs.

Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I do think the man written about in this story, Randy, was amazing and interesting, I really didn't prefer the way the story was written. It read more like a novel than a memoir which I didn't prefer. I wished it was more upfront and less flowery because it would have been more convincing. I understand that it was probably a hard project for the author to write, given it was about his own brother, but the writing overall fell short for me. I also found myself waiting for Randy's description of afterdeath experiences because the back cover really led me to think that was what the story was mostly about. It really was not.

That being said, Randy McMillan seemed like an amazing person with a great ability to help others.

[Cindy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was such an amazing book! I stumbled upon this one up at education week. Sometimes,I've been wanting to read books that will help and inspire me as I'm going through the grieving process. I wish that I read this book months ago. It was so wonderful. Its about a young man who deals with a terminal illness and how he decides to live his life. It has really taught me to be my best self and to take what life gives you and realise its part of the plan you agreed to before coming to earth. I reccomend this to everyone, whether your having a hard time with life right now, or dealing with losing a loved one like me. We can all benefit from this book, its awesome!

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting more out of this book...it seems to be a story of why one young man is great in the eyes of his brother. And really, I'd like to hear the brother's story BUT in a little different form. If the story was just told out right then I could be impressed with what a remarkable young man this was. I don't like to be told every chapter about how great he was.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style. I read it at the swimming pool today, and it made me cry a little. Good thing I had sunglasses on.

I particularly liked the last half of the book--I found it very uplifting.

[Lilwonndonlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just helps me remember who I am and why I am here. I want to try harder after reading. Very good.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Account of the life and death (at a young age) of Randy McMillan, the first author's brother. Covers youth, LDS mission, and early adulthood. Very affecting and inspiring.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book and inspirational. A pretty remarkable young man who finds purpose in his short life, and inspires others to do the same. A good book to read to gain perspective!

[Mindi Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, inspiring, connections to Heber, UT where I live, making plans to backpack to Red Castle in the Unitas as described in this book, really loved this book and highly recommended it,

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a beautiful book, very inspirational.