Life Is Mostly Edges

A Memoir

By: Calvin Miller

Narrated by: Wayne Campbell

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.

Calvin's natural, candid, humorous storytelling is refreshing

his decision to write about five things his father gave him was powerful. this is in the early stages of the book. his father was a derelict drunk who abandoned the family. but rather than focus on all those negatives, Calvin writes in one chapter about five things his father gave him. The undercurrent, backstory of those five gifts is all the losses.

Calvin was a pastor for over 20 years so a good portion of the book involves pastoring, the ups and downs, the joys and difficulties. He then was a seminary professor for 19 years.

I don't think I could even count how many books seem to dwindle off as they wind down. this is an exception. The last 30 minutes need to be listened to or read with clear-eyed, contemplative attention. He spends the last portion talking about what he would do differently, and also talking about what he wants to do in the remaining years of his life. He also gives a critique of one-dimensional living.