The first time I can recall taking much notice of Elder Neal A. Maxwell was in, I believe, 1981 when he spoke in the Wilkinson Center at the Stake Conference of my BYU student stake. He spoke about the foreknowledge of God, and I remember that upsetting me at the time because my views on the subject were much different then than they are now. I received Even As I Am as a Christmas present in 1982 and started to appreciate him more. In the spring of 1983, he visited Frankfurt, Germany, where I was serving as a missionary. I remember standing beside him in a Church gym in Frankfurt eating "quark"--think "yogurt squared"--for lunch at a zone conference and hearing him say that he had never really gotten used to the stuff. He spoke at the Frankfurt Stake Conference, with Immo Luschin, who had just produced a new translation of the Book of Mormon into German, serving as his translator. Brother Luschin looked a little perplexed when trying to tackle the more Maxwellian passages! In the adult session of stake conference, I was in a missionary choir that sat on the stand, and I was able to look into the spellbound faces of the congregation as Elder Maxwell spoke. I cannot remember the details of a story Elder Maxwell told about the life and death of a faithful young LDS mother, but I will never forget the look of heartbreak in the faces of those he was addressing. Since that time, I've counted Elder Maxwell as one of my favorite apostles. One of the things that I should have known, but didn't, before reading this biography is how much of Elder Maxwell's life revolved around meetings and organization and administration. (Better him than me!) I also had not realized just how deeply involved he was in the changes that took place in the Church starting around 1970.

This biography of Elder Maxwell is not afraid to be candid and to show us the man's warts at times. In addition to there being appreciative discussion of his unique speaking and writing style, this book also is willing to be critical when that style hasn't quite clicked. I'm apparently not the only one who would have given some of Elder Maxwell's books B's instead of A's. Elder Hafen reports, for example, that "several of Elder Maxwell's friends wish the books could have been edited more, tightening them up to avoid repetitions, developing concepts as well as phrases."

Here's a sampling of amusing anecdotes from this book:

(a) While an administrator at the U., Brother Maxwell played basketball twice a week with a group called the Coronary Club. When he left the U., and therefore the Club, the other players awarded him a certificate commending him for his "solicitous concern for injured teammates, whether or not the injury was inflicted by him."

(b) "Elder Cecil Samuelson once attended a fireside meeting with Elder Maxwell in Seoul, Korea. Neal was speaking `a hundred miles an hour, as he always does.' A young interpreter was trying very hard to keep up. Neal told a funny story that required several sentences. The translator paused, said about a half dozen words, and the audience roared with laughter. When Elder Samuelson afterward asked the interpreter how he'd handled that, he replied, `I was so far behind and so tired I just said, ``Brothers and sisters, Elder Maxwell just said something very funny. Please laugh.'''"

(c) President Kimball dropped in on the Maxwell home unannounced to extend Brother Maxwell a call to be an Assistant to the Twelve. Neal answered the door in bare feet and rushed to put on some slippers in order to be semi-appropriately attired to receive the call. Elder Maxwell was apparently wearing a hospital gown when called to be an Apostle. President Kimball came to the hospital where Elder Maxwell was recovering from nasal surgery to extend the call. "Neal, still a little groggy, tried gamely to be cheerful as he fought off the effects of the anesthetic. Brother Kimball bent over to kiss him on the cheek and inadvertently bumped his nose, `which was pretty hard not to do, because it was so swathed in bandages.'"

I don't know what non-fans will think of this book, but I found it to be very interesting, and it has greatly improved my understanding of, and appreciation for, Elder Maxwell. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning about Elder Maxwell's life. His modern discipleship, and insights into his character and some of the trials that shaped his teachings were wonderful. I highly recommend reading it. ( )

In summarizing the life of a great man and great writer, Bruce C. Hafen rises to the occassion. This is one of the two or three best biographies of an LDS leader I have read. Brother Hafen seems to find the perfect balance between avoiding hagiography and showing respect and admiration for his subject. ( )

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Elder Neal A. Maxwell on a more personal level. He was always one of my favorites even though I would have to use a dictionary!

Quite good - especially at the end. I liked the idea explored of becoming a disciple. ( )