A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

Donald Miller believes that story is a powerful tool that can help to shape our lives. The bestselling author of the poignant Blue Like Jazz shares in A Million Miles in a Thousand Years how screenplay editors revise and edit their final drafts in order to give a clearer understanding of the story's main themes. Ultimately, we learn that story can be a tool used both to guide us toward positive change and steer us away from foolish decisions. Fans of Don Miller's previous works will not want to miss this new book!

Full of beautiful, heart-wrenching, and hilarious stories, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details one man’s opportunity to edit his life as if he were a character in a movie.

Years after writing a best-selling memoir, Donald Miller went into a funk and spent months sleeping in and avoiding his publisher. One story had ended, and Don was unsure how to start another.

But he gets rescued by two movie producers who want to make a movie based on his memoir. When they start fictionalizing Don’s life for film--changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative--the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. It shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around.

 

I love Donald Miller. He is a man after my own heart. -Anne Lamott, New York Times best-selling author of Traveling Mercies, Grace (Eventually), and Bird by Bird.

If someone tells you they’ve read this book and they "enjoyed it" or they "liked it" or they think it’s a "good hook" then maybe they didn’t read it - it’s well written and funny and interesting and all that, but it’s also disturbing. Really, really disturbing. Don is into provocative territory here, wrestling with The Story and the role each our stories play in it . . . this is very convicting, powerful, unsettling writing. I felt like this book read me more than I read it. -Rob Bell, author of Velvet Elvis

I’ve never been in Donald Miller’s living room, but this book makes me feel that I have. The stories compel, the humor works, and Don’s wisdom stealths its way on to the pages. I already want to re-read it. -Max Lucado, New York Times best-selling author of 3:16 and Fearless.

Sly, soulful, and deeply affecting, Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is an indispensable road map and travel companion for readers seeking not only to experience better stories but to live them as well. -Allan Heinberg, Executive Producer, Grey’s Anatomy

Only Donald Miller can mill the glorious wreckage of the human experience for the hue of jazz and the hope that we can live out a story worth sharing.  His premise will haunt you until you set out to discover if memorable lives, like unforgettable books, often require several drafts and a loving editor. -Steve Duin, The Oregonian

In the first few chapters of Don’s new book, Don got me thinking about Don and his interesting life. Then for several chapters, he got me thinking about my own life. And then for the rest of the book, I couldn’t help but think about God and other people and the kind of future we’re creating together. That sounds like solid evidence that this uniquely talented and sagely writer/thinker/storyteller has given us another wonderful and life-enriching reading experience. -Brian McLaren, Author, Speaker, Activist, brianmclaren.net

There are some writers who simply don’t have it in them to craft an inelegant sentence. Donald Miller is one of them. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years proves in story form how stories define us even more than our genes do. Read this book for an experience of sheer beauty, or for help in living a well-storied life. -Leonard Sweet, Drew Theological School, George Fox University,
www.sermons.com

With great honesty and insight, Don Miller issues a simple and profound challenge: live a better story.  In A Million Miles in a Thousand Years Don opens up his life, struggles, triumphs, and insecurities and shows the reader how to do exactly that.  The world is full of great challenges, terrible tragedies, and overwhelming joys-there is simply too much going on to be a part of a boring story.  For anyone who knows that life should more than what we see on TV commercials and billboards, this is a book for you.  -Jim Wallis, President of Sojourners and Author of the New York Times bestseller The Great Awakening

 

Miller, the accidental memoirist who struck gold with the likable ramble Blue Like Jazz, writes about the challenges inherent in getting unstuck creatively and spiritually. After Jazz sold more than a million copies but his other books didn’t follow suit, he had a classic case of writer’s block. Two movie producers contacted him about creating a film out of his life, but Miller’s initial enthusiasm was dampened when they concluded that his real life needed doctoring lest it be too directionless for the screen. Real stories, he learned, require characters who suffer and overcome. In desultory fashion, Miller sets out to change his own life—to be the kind of guy who seeks out his father, chases the girl and undertakes a quest. Along the way, he comes to understand God as a master storyteller who doesn’t quite control where his characters are going. An unexpected bonus of this book is Miller’s insights into the writing process. Readers who loved Blue Like Jazz will find a somewhat more mature Miller, still funny as hell but more concerned about making a difference in the world than in merely commenting on it. (Oct.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Josh Phelps (Berea, Ky.), November 27, 2009

Ever wanted to be able to change your life? Want to get out of the normal routines and patterns that your family line has set. Donald Miller’s newest release A Million Miles in a Thousand Years will try and show you how to change your life as if you are part of a movie script. Overall I wasn’t too captivated by this book. I found it hard to read at times and would have to force myself to not put it down. I am not saying that this book is not a good read; it was just not one for me. The thoughts behind the book made me really want to read it, however I was not captured in the writing. The brightest part of the book for me was thinking back and wondering what it would be like if my life was turned into a movie. Would I change anything and if so how? I found a few things that I would like to not have dealt with in my life, however they are also what has shaped me into whom I am today. So all in all, while not a great read for me, this book does make you think about your life and the journey you have taken.

Reviewed by Tina Gray (Australia), October 05, 2009

Donald Miller’s A Million Miles In A Thousand Years is a story about one man’s opportunity to edit his life as if he were a character in a movie. After writing a best-selling memoir, Donald went into a funk until he was “rescued” by two movie producers who wanted to make a movie based on his memoir. When they start creating a fictional Don to make his life sound more exciting, the real Don decides to edit his real life to turn it into a better story. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is a fun and interesting read. In the first few chapters, I was reading about Don and his thoughts but as the chapters progressed, I started thinking about my life and how I would feel if I can the chance to edit my story and do things over. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. It shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around.

Reviewed by Lauren Yarger (Granby, CT), September 29, 2009

Donald Miller isn’t an easy man to get to know. In fact, he doesn’t seem to know himself all that well, which is the premise for his latest book, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life" (Thomas Nelson, 2009). Miller, who catapulted to fame with his best selling “Blue Like Jazz,” found his life had stalled. He was avoiding his publisher and deadlines while pondering the meaning of life when two filmmakers, Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson (“The Second Chance”) contacted Miller about adapting “Blue Like Jazz” into a movie. The three begin to transform the “Don” of the book into a more film-friendly and easier-to-know character, and in the process, Miller discovers that his life is really, rather boring on the surface. He tries to create scenes for the character by remembering significant moments, and finds he has forgotten a lot and events that he does remember don’t lend themselves to great cinematography. He starts living new stories to create a character, including attempting a reconciliation with the father whom he barely remembers, and ends up writing a new life story. What seems at first ramblings by a guy who is having trouble finding something worthwhile about his life to report to a God portrayed as impersonal and not inclined to let humans in on what their life’s purpose is anyway, shifts and becomes a rather thoughtful collection of insights into what’s important and how we can shape our lies into better stories. I particularly enjoyed the format of the book, which follows Miller’s attempts to structure his life like a screenplay. Exposition is followed by chapters breaking down the overall premise driving any story plot: a character who wants something and who overcomes conflict to get it. Being a writer, I could relate to this approach to life and the format made Miller’s experiences and stories far more interesting.

Reviewed by Brian (Bowdoin, Maine), September 29, 2009

The “story” behind the book is about the story of one’s life. Miller accomplishes this by telling the story of a movie being based on his life’s story and his search for how to write a good story. Many side stories are added to illustrate this point. Let me start by stating that I had never read any of Donald Miller’s books before, though I had been very interested as I had heard a lot of good things about them. I am not sure what I expected, but this book was much different that what I had expected. To me, the book seemed very random and in speaking with a friend about it, I used the term abstract writing. The author also made reference to times of smoking and drinking, that added nothing to the story, and should not have been included. Overall, the book had a really good principle and was an easy read. I really wish more Scripture (I don’t remember any, as a matter of fact) being used. What I did take from the book is that our lives are a story and we need to choose what story we want our life to tell.

Reviewed by Pam Darbonne (Rome, GA), September 29, 2009

I loved Donald Miller's new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It demands the reader do something. This book is not one you read, put on your shelf, and then discuss intelligently when you get together with friends. It is one you apply in increments as you live your life. As I picked it up, I was excited to be able to read Miller’s new book and looked forward to pondering his words. But this book was different from the very beginning. I’ve never met anyone about whose life a movie was made, and perhaps reading Donald Miller’s book is as close as I’ll ever get. But as I read about the movie-making process, and the way it caused Miller to think about his life, I found myself thinking about my life the way he thought about his. Am I writing a good story? What will it take for me to write a better story? Most books I read allow me to escape in some fashion, even the non-fiction ones tell me how things should be. This one was different. It invited me to look at my life as a story and asked how I can make it a better one? Immediately, my way of thinking began to change. He gave examples of some really cool things he did to begin to write a better life, even an epic life, but I didn’t feel I had to do the same kinds of things he did. When I closed the book, I asked God for wisdom. I want to write a better story for my life, for my wife and for my kids. Our new chapter started today. Thanks, Donald. Read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It will help you write your story . . . better.

Reviewed by Trisha (Canada), September 29, 2009

Donald miller captured my attention very quickly in his book A million miles in a thousand years. I particularily liked his idea on what his conversation with God would be about when God asks him what he did with his life lol. I love the style of his writing, it makes it so easy to follow and feels like you're sitting there listening to him talk to you about his life. Another part of the book I loved was when he was asked if his script would include illistrations, and then the next few pages he has pictures of a rather humourous story. He tells you the stories of his life in a funny way, that also challenges you! Honestly I don't imagine there's too many people who wouldn't enjoy this book. I would definately recommend it to anyone looking for a good read! I would love to write more on his book, but I don't want to keep giving away all the good stories lol, so you'll have to read it for yourself. But trust me you won't be disapointed! Well worth the investment!

Reviewed by amy dolan (arlington heights, il), September 29, 2009

donald miller’s brand new book a million miles in a thousand years is my choice for best book of the year. this book has completely changed the way i approach my life, and has given me a new hope and freedom to explore the central characters, plot, themes, and conflict that when combined together tell the story of my life. a short excerpt from the book: years after writing a best-selling memoir, donald miller went into a funk and spent months sleeping in and avoiding his publisher. one story had ended, and don was unsure how to start another. but he gets rescued by two movie producers who want to make a movie based on his memoir. when they start fictionalizing don’s life for film–changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative–the real-life don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. a million miles in a thousand years details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. it shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around. while reading the book, i started a journal so that i could have a place to record my thoughts and keep a log for questions for future processing. these are just the beginning thoughts in the process of recreating my story: how can i be a remarkable character? i must learn to embrace pain & difficulty in my life and view it as a beautiful gift. i want to surround myself with fascinating stories – people living out bold stories. maybe life is about simply enjoying the experience with god.

Reviewed by Amber Bolton (Chicago, IL), September 29, 2009

Donald Miller weaves an exposed heart through the pages of “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” That exposure is what makes it real, honorable, and convicting. Miller takes us on the journey that requires us to rethink our very own stories. What is your story? Are the things that are most important to you reflected in your story? What past experiences, future fears, or numbing everydayness creates your story? Where does God fit into your story? Miller suggests our stories are stolen by the easy life. And this has been my story. About the same time I read this book, I was recovering from gall bladder surgery. The combination of surgery and this book has created the desire for a new story in my life to begin. A story that finds fulfillment in a God who loves me and desires me to do more than sit on a couch. A story that really shows what is important to me. I have a warning about this book. Don’t read it if you want to stay living in your comfortable, stagnant world. Read it if you want a fresh way of looking at your life, the story it tells, and how God is in and through it. I’ve sent a copy to a friend this past week who’s story is being changed dramatically. I believe “A Million Miles” will inspire her, create beauty in a new story, and allow God to move in new ways. Find your story in “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.”

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