Duffbert's Random Musings :: Book Review - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller

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Category Book Review Donald Miller A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

I recently was sent a copy of the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect as it was described as having something to do with having "better stories" in your life. That can obviously mean a lot of different things. But Miller is a local author, and I was willing to give it a shot. I ended up with a book that far exceeded my expectations, and had me thinking about my own life on a pretty deep level.

A Million Miles revolves around a memoir he wrote a few years back, and two guys who decide to make a film based on the book. "Loosely based" is more like it, as Miller quickly finds out that the life he lived and described didn't quite translate into the movie that was being envisioned. It didn't have the necessary elements of "story" that causes a film to be interesting. So even though it was "his life" that was being turned into a film, the story being told would be completely different than what happened. Essentially, he was being told to "edit" his life story so as to make it more compelling to the viewer. And it was that editing that got him to wondering... what if everyone had a chance to change their life story... to "edit" it for film and make the stories more interesting and compelling? And while that's not available to the vast majority, it *is* possible to change our current life to have more interesting stories the first time around. And that's the point that Donald Miller explores in A Million Miles.

Split up into five parts (Exposition, A Character, A Character Who Wants Something, A Character Who Wants Something And Overcomes Conflict, and A Character Who Wants Something And Overcomes Conflict To Get It), he guides the reader through the process of viewing their life through the prism of a storyteller or a filmmaker. If you break down the elements of a great movie, you have these particular elements. Since it *is* possible to view our life as a movie-in-progress, there's no reason why we shouldn't be incorporating these elements into our own story that we have to tell. For instance, if I want to lose 100 pounds, I could sit around and complain about how hard it is (which I've done). Or, I can see it as a story, view myself as a character who wants something and has to overcome conflict, and proceed as if I'm writing the screenplay of my own epic. Same thing if I wanted to fulfill a goal such as writing a book... why not incorporate the elements of "story" and make it happen? It's only myself that's keeping the process from happening.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is deeply personal as it's told in a series of stories from Miller's life... some funny, some painful, but all real. And while it's possible to just read the book and be entertained, it's very likely that after reading his book, you'll never quite view your own life and actions the same way again. I know I've already started to incorporate some of these concepts into my own "story", in hopes that it will be infinitely more interesting than it currently is... :)

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Comments

1 - I want a copy of the book! It sounds fantastic! JSiggy7 @ gmail dot com.

Posted by Jonathan Sigmon At 15:18:29 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

2 - Thanks for the review! God to read what others think. Sounds like a book worth applying.
kimkmartinez.7@gmail.com

Posted by Kim Martinez At 15:19:27 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

3 - Thanks for the review Duffbert. Sounds like a great read. I love being challenged and made uncomfortable - it's the path to growth! Please enter me in your giveaway for a copy. Thanks!

Posted by Shane Tucker At 15:19:56 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

4 - Thanks for the review regarding Miller's book.

Always something to learn!

Keep creating...a story worth repeating,
Mike

Posted by Mike Wagner At 15:21:00 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

5 - Oopps - email me here: shane.tucker(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks!

Posted by Shane Tucker At 15:21:55 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

6 - I'd love a copy of the book. I've heard lots of good things about it.
JQ

Posted by Joel Quevillon At 15:22:11 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

7 - Thanks for the review. Sounds like a good read!

Posted by Eric Lind At 15:24:34 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

8 - Thanks for the comments. Miller seems to have way that connects with people through his writing. I would enjoy checking out this book.

christopher.pjc@gmail.com
Paul Christopher

Posted by Paul Christopher At 15:31:37 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

9 - I want to read this book so badly!

Posted by Justin Farley At 15:33:50 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

10 - Me, too! Pick me! Bob Hostetler, bob@bobhostetler.com

Posted by Bob Hostetler At 15:36:32 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

11 - I've loved his first books, especially Blue Like Jazz. I'd love to read his new one.

Dave

Posted by dave tinker At 15:41:25 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

12 - ohh ohh, mee tooo!

Tiffany Malloy
tiffany.malloy@gmail.com

Posted by tiffany At 15:43:38 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

13 - I continue to hear amazing things about this book. I'd love to dive into it -- if only to see how I might find some life applications of my own.

Thanks for the opportunity!

Posted by Ryan Barton At 15:50:19 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

14 - We as believers are actually living the greatest epic of all time, written by the Master Storyteller, so yes, this idea is completely plausible.

This also reminds me of an "arresting" moment in the latest Star Wars movie where the elder Spock, wise because of the years he has lived, is passing on some precious wisdom to his younger self. Who wouldn't love the chance to do that?!

Please do enter me into your giveaway contest!

Posted by Deb At 15:57:13 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

15 - Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book. After reading it I will post a book review on my blog.
Emoticon

Posted by Dan Black At 16:01:38 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

16 - I recently finished "Blue, Like Jazz" and really enjoyed the way Miller tells the story his spiritual journey so honestly. This sounds like another good read.

Posted by Barry Caylor At 16:03:57 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

17 - I'd like to enter, thanks.
marcus802001@yahoo.com

Posted by Mark At 16:51:58 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

18 - This book would be a joy to read.

Posted by Karen Rash At 17:34:39 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

19 - I'm editing my life. Maybe Don's will help me! (at least I'll appreciate his journey)

Posted by Diane At 17:50:26 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

20 - gmwilt(at)gmail(dot)com

Posted by Gregg At 18:07:01 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

21 - Would love a copy of this book!!

Posted by Stuart At 18:28:37 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |

22 - Great to hear your thoughts on Don's new book. I'll throw my name into the ring for the potential chance of being randomly picked so I can read the book and share my own thoughts. Thanks for sharing a copy - whoever the winner may be!

Posted by Erin Bird At 23:11:44 On 29/09/2009 | - Website - |