Between Two Breaths

Thom Miller brings the reader along on a family whitewater rafting trip that suddenly takes a life-threatening turn on the Kings River in Central California. After the raft carrying Thom and four of his sons capsizes, all make it to safety except Thom, who is plunged into the icy cold waters and pulled repeatedly under. What Thom experiences next will challenge his understanding of life itself, deepen his experience of God's presence, and assure him of what lies ahead.

An incredible must-read story! Thom Miller's story will move you to happy tears. His life-changing event defied nature and medicine—affecting everyone who loves him. Thom’s story is a profound testament to faith, to God's presence in our darkest moments, and to a family that refuses to let go. His journey proves the human spirit, fortified by love and faith, is capable of the extraordinary. Thom’s story left me feeling connected to something larger—to all that is, was, and ever will be. His story reminds us to be present for those we love and never give up on each other. A feel-good story, and a gift—proof that miracles still happen, that love transcends death, and that faith can move mountains.
—Janet Boydell, author of Deadly Exploits

The story, Between Two Breaths, tells it all: the personal experiences of a man, author Thom Miller, who drowned, was declared dead, and then brought back to life. And much of it in graphic and riveting detail. Once in my hands, I could not put it down. I believe the reader, whoever he or she may be, will have the same response. Personal experiences are probably the most compelling form of persuasion. This book is no exception. His chances of a full recovery were, as one doctor later stated, one in a thousand, and are all told in fascinating detail. The family, waiting with bated breath for answers from the hospital staff about their husband, father, and friend, draws the reader into another world where suspense reigns and every piece of good news is met with thanksgiving. But then there is also the larger story of Thom’s search for meaning: the meaning of this event set into the context of his entire life. It is the story of eternity breaking into time. This broadens the story and gives it a universal meaning. God’s providence in his life. Why should he have survived when other drowning victims did not? And what had happened in those twenty-two minutes that he was declared dead? He had experienced eternity. One can accept or question experiences, but one cannot deny them. This book contains the remarkable and unique experiences of one man. But his experiences inform every one of us.
—Abraham Friesen, Ph.D., Professor of History Emeritus, UC Santa Barbara, Author of Caught Between Christ and Christendom

Between Two Breaths is a true story of mostly family members rafting the whitewater of the Kings River in Central California. When author Thom Miller drowns, his near-death experience and subsequent accounts will keep you holding the edge of the next page. Thom Miller teaming up with Valeri Mills Barnes to write Thom’s story was a brilliant move! Both actual wordsmiths in their own right produced a fabulous book. A page turner, Between Two Breaths, will not let you put it down. The narrative will keep you focused just as if you were standing in the middle of the story. For example, you’ll be gasping for air and looking for a warm blanket as the account carries you downstream. Keeping the reader firmly in the center of the story is a gift and will comfortably guide you through a fascinating read.
—Ron Hughart, Author of Beyond the Dust Bowl
and The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl