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Life Is Mostly Edges: A Memoir
One man's backward glance at unexpected lessons, the beauty of relationship, and God's mysterious guiding hand. Bestselling author and poet Calvin Miller turns his hand to the most moving story of all - his own. The reader is taken through a myriad of experiences of a young man coming of age in mid-20th century America. Following his life into college, seminary, a small local church and eventually to a new life as an author and professor, the memoir touches on those points that make all of us uniquely human and intensely vulnerable.
381 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2008
28 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Miller
176 books49 followersCalvin Miller has written over 40 books of popular theology and inspiration. A former pastor, he is professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Joyce, have two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 26, 2023
I very much liked this book. 10/10 recommend. If you want a more detailed review talk to me directly, cause I don't like to type all long reviews on here.
January 10, 2014
I started this just after Christmas. I had the chance to meet Calvin Miller and hear him read a little from this book. His ability to craft a line is amazing. Such a great story teller. I really appreciate this book since he recalls not the mere details of his life but he tries to give an evaluation of what he learned and how it impacted who he became.
Should people write memoirs? If you are Calvin Miller, yes. (or this Calvin Miller). It is a retelling of life through the lens of hope. Perhaps Miller always saw through this lens, or most of the time, and this book captures much of that focus. Perhaps this is part of the reason his ministry was successful. A life of authentic hope has a way of drawing people.
I think what I liked the most about this book is the generational appeal. Calvin Miller is almost old enough to be my grandfather. As I turned the pages it felt at times as if I were sitting in the room with a loving grandpa who was just talking about life. I think the generation gap that is so evident in today's segregated society would be reduced if we had the opportunity to converse with people who have lived life and held on to hope.
Great book.
Should people write memoirs? If you are Calvin Miller, yes. (or this Calvin Miller). It is a retelling of life through the lens of hope. Perhaps Miller always saw through this lens, or most of the time, and this book captures much of that focus. Perhaps this is part of the reason his ministry was successful. A life of authentic hope has a way of drawing people.
I think what I liked the most about this book is the generational appeal. Calvin Miller is almost old enough to be my grandfather. As I turned the pages it felt at times as if I were sitting in the room with a loving grandpa who was just talking about life. I think the generation gap that is so evident in today's segregated society would be reduced if we had the opportunity to converse with people who have lived life and held on to hope.
Great book.
January 7, 2009
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.
January 23, 2022
Calvin Miller is a master with words and a master with stories. This book beautifully written.
November 16, 2025
A delightful memoir! Raw, honest, and funny - Miller writes in unique style that I found very captivating-making it difficult for me not to read it in one sitting.
November 3, 2024
I liked the author’s strong faith in God’s presence with him throughout his life and his evident love for Jesus. I expected a bit more humility from him, although it does appear he exercised a lot of compassion in the context of difficult church leadership situations. His quirky mix of earthy and poetic writing made me laugh a lot. The main premise that emerged for me was that “the life I live was never mine.”
June 15, 2024
Warmly humorous and readable, Calvin Miller lays his life before readers in a way that is both vulnerable and compelling. I really enjoyed the book, and the corny humor caused involuntary chuckles at times.
August 30, 2024
Miller had a unique writing style I loved his story telling and his brutal telling it the why he felt it. At times it sounded wrong, but resonated with similar feelings.
January 31, 2023
It took me a little to get into this because I went in expecting Dallas Willard style and got something a little closer to old age Donald Miller vibes. But once I shifted my expectations, I enjoyed it and appreciated his view on the church and his writing about his personal life. He must have been an interesting guy, and I’m glad I read this especially since my husband really loves the book.
April 18, 2019
I first discovered Calvin Miller (1936-2012) after the publication of The Singer Trilogy (The Singer, The Song, and The Finale), a retelling of the story of Christ in allegorical and poetic form. The Singer, who could not be silenced, provided readers with a fresh look at the Gospel, and the Christian community was refreshed. Miller gave readers of all ages the opportunity to have a personal encounter with Jesus.
As a result of reading that early work and succeeding books, as well as sitting in seminars Miller led, I was eager to read his memoir. What a gift! He provides a look back on a life with triumphs and dark nights as he became a Christian, then a pastor, and a professor. A gifted storyteller, Miller reveals the hard times without wallowing, often sharing with humor, and always with hope, praise and thanksgiving, all the while, enjoying the wonder and mystery of the Earthmaker, the God whom he celebrates.
Barbara Brown Taylor says, “You can read [Miller] for the great stories he tells or read him for the great soul he is. Either way, he will show you the art of brinkmanship, inviting you to join him at the unsafe edges of human life where true joy is found.”
“Brinkmanship”—the art or practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation to the limit of safety especially to force a desired outcome--in other words, “life on the edges,” stepping out into the unknown, living by faith not by sight. That’s the story Miller tells.
Beautifully written.
As a result of reading that early work and succeeding books, as well as sitting in seminars Miller led, I was eager to read his memoir. What a gift! He provides a look back on a life with triumphs and dark nights as he became a Christian, then a pastor, and a professor. A gifted storyteller, Miller reveals the hard times without wallowing, often sharing with humor, and always with hope, praise and thanksgiving, all the while, enjoying the wonder and mystery of the Earthmaker, the God whom he celebrates.
Barbara Brown Taylor says, “You can read [Miller] for the great stories he tells or read him for the great soul he is. Either way, he will show you the art of brinkmanship, inviting you to join him at the unsafe edges of human life where true joy is found.”
“Brinkmanship”—the art or practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation to the limit of safety especially to force a desired outcome--in other words, “life on the edges,” stepping out into the unknown, living by faith not by sight. That’s the story Miller tells.
Beautifully written.
February 18, 2014
One of the best memoirs I've read. Miller is a wordsmith and a master storyteller--and he displays both admirably in this moving, funny, sarcastic, deeply reflective, frank and honest peek into his heart and mind. It was spiritually moving; at times theologically eyebrow-raising. Yet again and again there was so much that put words to what I've felt and I found myself being freed from the bondage of reflection that had yet to find words. I was many times put in touch with some of my own feelings and thoughts. I'd say he probably overdid the sex-talk, but ... hey! He's being honest. Though it all, I came away deeply refreshed and affirmed in my pastoral-calling and the struggles that come along with that calling. As I neared the end of the book I did something I can't recall doing before--I purposely slowed down, because I didn't really want to be done with the experience of this book.
March 10, 2009
Excellent memoir from one of the church's great modern wordsmiths, pastor/professor/poet/author Calvin Miller. From his impoverished childhood in 1940s Oklahoma to a faculty position at the largest seminary in the world, Miller's life has been quite a ride. He takes us along for the journey with unflinching honesty and frequent, well-crafted humor.
Too many times when I read memoirs of esteemed Christian leaders, I walk away thinking, "What a great man that guy is." Because of Miller's authenticity and vulnerability, I walked away from this one thinking, "What a great God that guy has." I think that's a lot better message to get from a memoir. I highly recommend this one!
Too many times when I read memoirs of esteemed Christian leaders, I walk away thinking, "What a great man that guy is." Because of Miller's authenticity and vulnerability, I walked away from this one thinking, "What a great God that guy has." I think that's a lot better message to get from a memoir. I highly recommend this one!
September 12, 2017
I have been a fan of Calvin Miller since The Singer hit the shelves. His memoir reveals what made him a treasure to the Church. Very few writers have been as transparent as he. I could re-read his story and laugh or cry all over again. The final chapters are most moving.
March 13, 2017
Really good memoir of long-time pastor in Omaha. Creative writing at its best. Laughed out loud, thought deeply, considered my own life. Worth your time.
May 18, 2020
Loved this memoir by the great writer/poet Calvin Miller. Best known for his breakout 1975 book--The Singer (eventually part of a Trilogy--Singer, Song, & Finale)--much of Miller's life on the edges was spent as a pastor, at only 2 churches. He spent 25 years at a church in Omaha, Nebraska, from which he almost resigned, given the way his congregants had been treating him & his wife up till then. But on the advice of a friend, he bared his heart & emotions in his final/farewell sermon, and a revival practically broke out...and he ended up staying for 20+ more years and seeing that church grow from a couple hundred to over 2,000 members. Lots of that happened after his groundbreaking (for the Christian book market--thanks, IVP, for taking the chance on Miller!) book The Singer came out, which was a re-telling of the Gospels & Jesus' life in poetic form. Miller went on to publish some 40+ books over his lifetime and was a creative writer & thinker.
Loved the beginning of the book where Miller (who passed into Glory in 2012) described the idea behind the title of this memoir:
"Given the size of the universe, the world I have lived in is quite small, and I have lived it out mostly along its edges. This is not surprising, for life is mostly edges. It is small—like a postage stamp. So small that it all but disappears against the busy days it devours...I do remember enough to know I liked the middle of my stamp more than the edges. This is not unusual. We all like the middle. The middle is safe. You can’t fall off the middle. Only the edges are dangerous. The great lessons, the deep tragedies, the storms of unbearable heart-quakes always happen along the edges. We don’t cry much in the middle, but then we don’t laugh much there either—at least with any belly-deep laughter. Still, every day, nine to five, we suit up for the only contest that can be played along the unsafe edges of our years." Yes, life "on the edges" is risky, dangerous, but also very rewarding and fulfilling.
Miller also spent a number of years on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theo Seminary, mostly during the rough & tumble 1990s when the battle against liberals & the conservative resurgence was on. I found this section very refreshing--and quite insightful, not to mention humorous--as Miller writes about his interactions with students, deep friendships that developed, and heartaches that occurred in some of the slash & burn going on among the faculty. Miller finally ended his teaching days at Beeson Theological Seminary in Alabama.
This memoir is very poignant, well-written, and full of wisdom grown & garnered through many years of ministry & teaching experience--and is full of Miller's subtle and inimitable humor. Well done, good & faithful servant. I borrowed this from the library; read it on the Kindle.
Loved the beginning of the book where Miller (who passed into Glory in 2012) described the idea behind the title of this memoir:
"Given the size of the universe, the world I have lived in is quite small, and I have lived it out mostly along its edges. This is not surprising, for life is mostly edges. It is small—like a postage stamp. So small that it all but disappears against the busy days it devours...I do remember enough to know I liked the middle of my stamp more than the edges. This is not unusual. We all like the middle. The middle is safe. You can’t fall off the middle. Only the edges are dangerous. The great lessons, the deep tragedies, the storms of unbearable heart-quakes always happen along the edges. We don’t cry much in the middle, but then we don’t laugh much there either—at least with any belly-deep laughter. Still, every day, nine to five, we suit up for the only contest that can be played along the unsafe edges of our years." Yes, life "on the edges" is risky, dangerous, but also very rewarding and fulfilling.
Miller also spent a number of years on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theo Seminary, mostly during the rough & tumble 1990s when the battle against liberals & the conservative resurgence was on. I found this section very refreshing--and quite insightful, not to mention humorous--as Miller writes about his interactions with students, deep friendships that developed, and heartaches that occurred in some of the slash & burn going on among the faculty. Miller finally ended his teaching days at Beeson Theological Seminary in Alabama.
This memoir is very poignant, well-written, and full of wisdom grown & garnered through many years of ministry & teaching experience--and is full of Miller's subtle and inimitable humor. Well done, good & faithful servant. I borrowed this from the library; read it on the Kindle.
April 6, 2019
This book was funny, refreshing, & filled with wisdom! This is the first time i have ever read a memoir. I was familiar with Calvin Miller only in that i knew he was the founding Pastor of Westside Church, which I previously attended. I recall hearing him speak at Westside 10+ years ago, and this many years later, i still remember his words. He spoke with authority, truth, and so much freedom. This book confirms what i remember from my brief exposure. He speaks very straightforward with God as his audience, rather than an attempt to lure or impress man. His authenticity is so refreshing!
There were many things i took away from this book, but two specific thoughts have been camping in my mind.
- "Always listen to your critics. For they-not caring too much for you-will often tell you the truth, while your friends sugarcoat, so as to stay on your good side." (so much truth here!!!)
- "Will somebody please tell me why God's people, who surfeit under a mighty surge of grace, have so much trouble telling other people they are loved?....I wonder how many preachers resign their churches 'cause nobody ever let on." (So true! so many give up on the calling God has given them because of the lack of gratitude and encouragement from the people around them. This is especially true for ministry leaders).
Again, i really enjoyed reading about his life from his earliest memory and seeing the struggles he journeyed as a child and into his years as a pastor. He was a true picture of perseverance!
There were many things i took away from this book, but two specific thoughts have been camping in my mind.
- "Always listen to your critics. For they-not caring too much for you-will often tell you the truth, while your friends sugarcoat, so as to stay on your good side." (so much truth here!!!)
- "Will somebody please tell me why God's people, who surfeit under a mighty surge of grace, have so much trouble telling other people they are loved?....I wonder how many preachers resign their churches 'cause nobody ever let on." (So true! so many give up on the calling God has given them because of the lack of gratitude and encouragement from the people around them. This is especially true for ministry leaders).
Again, i really enjoyed reading about his life from his earliest memory and seeing the struggles he journeyed as a child and into his years as a pastor. He was a true picture of perseverance!
February 10, 2025
Let’s say the quiet part out loud here: most memoirs are bad. As a result, most memoirs shouldn’t be read. Not by me, and probably not by you either. Christian memoirs are important, because of Augustine and Merton. But most people are neither of these individuals. For most people, their memoirs should be given to their grandchildren as a keepsake. Not sent to publishers to be peddled to strangers. I’m tired of it. I apologize.
This was a memoir worth writing. Calvin Miller is a phenomenal storyteller. He makes the mundane sound compelling. He has a delightful voice in his writing that quickly forms an attachment with the reader. He plays the role of old fashioned, Midwest raised, Baptist preacher man/teacher man very well. He’s endearing, and there’s no shortage of witty gems and clever proverbs here.
Not utterly challenging or thought provoking, which is okay. But it’s a sweet little reminder in the value of a life well lived by an old man who’s long walked with God. Worth a read.
This was a memoir worth writing. Calvin Miller is a phenomenal storyteller. He makes the mundane sound compelling. He has a delightful voice in his writing that quickly forms an attachment with the reader. He plays the role of old fashioned, Midwest raised, Baptist preacher man/teacher man very well. He’s endearing, and there’s no shortage of witty gems and clever proverbs here.
Not utterly challenging or thought provoking, which is okay. But it’s a sweet little reminder in the value of a life well lived by an old man who’s long walked with God. Worth a read.
January 3, 2019
A few of my favorite lines...
But what is the human condition if not an admission that we need each other, flawed or not?
Sermons are only noble when they are so “see-through” that the pastor’s need for God is clearly visible through his words.
Herein lies my greatest fears for the Emergent Church: in its attempt to start where the culture is, it rarely stops and asks, “Is this where the culture should be?”
This was a very enjoyable read!
But what is the human condition if not an admission that we need each other, flawed or not?
Sermons are only noble when they are so “see-through” that the pastor’s need for God is clearly visible through his words.
Herein lies my greatest fears for the Emergent Church: in its attempt to start where the culture is, it rarely stops and asks, “Is this where the culture should be?”
This was a very enjoyable read!
January 23, 2018
Enjoyed this book thoroughly
Calvin Miller has written many good books over the years and I have loved reading them. This was a special insight into a man who as an author, Christian, pastor, professor. It is eye opening as to hardships both as a child in a large family and struggles in working with churches. I wish I could have read it as a young man.
Calvin Miller has written many good books over the years and I have loved reading them. This was a special insight into a man who as an author, Christian, pastor, professor. It is eye opening as to hardships both as a child in a large family and struggles in working with churches. I wish I could have read it as a young man.
January 5, 2025
Dnf. I think I would be more interested in this memoir if I knew who this guy was before I read it. I started this because our pastor mentioned him in a sermon, and I was curious, but it’s hard to get into an autobiography about someone without any real buy-in. It wasn’t bad, and there were some thought-provoking parts, but ultimately, it just didn’t hold my interest.
February 3, 2019
Miller reverently and irreverently brings readers into his early years growing up poor in Oklahoma and his journey to becoming a thoughtful, honest pastor, author, and professor. He is deep in his faith but authentic in his rebukes of stodgy religion. A captivating read.
November 6, 2019
This was a lovely memoir by a now deceased pastor/professor/author who had a great sense of humor and tenderness about him that made his writing easy to read. He was known by my generation for a best selling poetic book (The Singer).
April 7, 2020
Indeed.
One of my favorite books, which i enjoy anew often. I am thankful for Calvin Miller's authentic love of Christ, his warm humor and his grace. I wish I could have been his student or congregate, though I suppose in very many ways, I have been.
One of my favorite books, which i enjoy anew often. I am thankful for Calvin Miller's authentic love of Christ, his warm humor and his grace. I wish I could have been his student or congregate, though I suppose in very many ways, I have been.
April 27, 2021
This is quite an interesting read, that’s for a Memoir. It’s plain simple and is well written and certain part can be quite boring. As a whole the author relates his belief and lesson of living a life under the guiding Hand of God.
April 25, 2025
Raised in the SBC, much of Miller's book made me laugh out loud. His self deprecating humor was refreshing. So poignant and funny as he shared about the foibles of being a husband, pastor and growing older - I struggled with the audiobook as I had a difficult time with the narrator.
November 24, 2023
I love memoirs, especially when they are written with edgy humor.
December 11, 2023
An amazing memoir. Poignant. Profound. And often hilarious.
January 17, 2024
His humor is definitely an added bonus throughout the book!
December 27, 2024
There are so many wisdom nuggets woven into this memoir. The author invites the reader to a reflective way of life by sharing his own joys and sorrows in a way that brings hope.
Read
July 18, 2025for school
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews