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The Last Sweet Mile
When Allen Levi's brother, Gary, was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, neither realized they were about to embark on the best year of their lives. More than mere brothers, Allen and Gary were best friends, life-long bachelors, one a lawyer turned singer-songwriter, the other a globe-trotting missions worker. Their relationship was one of rare and powerful beauty, and in this rich memoir, Levi captures the small yet telling details of a life lived to the fullest-right up to the finish line.
Like Sheldon Vanauken's A Severe Mercy , Levi's The Last Sweet Mile gives us a tale of both great loss and enduring faith, demonstrating that love is a refining fire, brotherhood a holy gift, and death itself a doorway to a wedding feast. The Last Sweet Mile is not only a testament to the life of Gary Levi, it is a testament to the hope that shaped and sustained him.
Like Sheldon Vanauken's A Severe Mercy , Levi's The Last Sweet Mile gives us a tale of both great loss and enduring faith, demonstrating that love is a refining fire, brotherhood a holy gift, and death itself a doorway to a wedding feast. The Last Sweet Mile is not only a testament to the life of Gary Levi, it is a testament to the hope that shaped and sustained him.
242 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2022
1881 people are currently reading
4547 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
April 2, 2016
I'm sitting here with tears running down my face as I've just closed the book. I don't know how to put into words how this book has left its mark on me. It is filled with such hope in the midst of great grief. Quoting from the end of the book, you are Left "empty but full" in your grief. One of the biggest lessons for me personally in this beautiful story of friendship, loss, and a life well lived is: Our sadness has purpose, listen to it and led it lead you to the one who loves you more than you could ever imagine. I highly recommend it. Thank you Allen Levi for loving your brother so well and for knowing that this story needed to be told.
December 29, 2015
Often humorous, often heartbreaking, yet full of hope throughout, this beautifully written memoir is one of the most poignant and moving stories you'll ever read. Allen Levi is a rare breed: An intellectual who doesn't act like one. Rather, he's a humble and down-to-earth soul who is deeply committed to his family, friends and community, and who has quietly touched more lives for good than most of us will ever even think about. In short, as we say in the South, Allen is "good people." Likewise was his brother, Gary, the primary subject of this book. The world needs more men like the Levi brothers.
June 3, 2024
Love Allen Levi. Read Theo of Golden a few months ago and loved it so I read this one too. This is a beautiful book. Suffering and tragedy transformed a way to commemorate and celebrate a life well lived and a God well pleased. Reading about Gary’s life has inspired me to love God better and seek after him more. Everyone should read this book.
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February 16, 2026I didn’t feel right assigning a star rating to The Last Sweet Mile. It’s such a deeply personal story that numbers seem irrelevant.
Written by Allen Levi, the same author who gave us Theo of Golden, this book tells the story of his brother, Gary Levi, and the days leading up to his death from brain cancer. At times, it felt like I was reading something meant primarily for family and close friends, yet as an outsider I was still invited in.
Gary loved Jesus more than anything. His life was centered on pursuing his Lord, and that devotion shaped the way he lived, loved, and faced suffering.
More than anything, I’m grateful I read this book because it let me witness such a tender, faithful relationship between two brothers. It left me hoping that my own two boys will grow up loving each other with the same loyalty, warmth, and grace that Allen and Gary shared.
Written by Allen Levi, the same author who gave us Theo of Golden, this book tells the story of his brother, Gary Levi, and the days leading up to his death from brain cancer. At times, it felt like I was reading something meant primarily for family and close friends, yet as an outsider I was still invited in.
Gary loved Jesus more than anything. His life was centered on pursuing his Lord, and that devotion shaped the way he lived, loved, and faced suffering.
More than anything, I’m grateful I read this book because it let me witness such a tender, faithful relationship between two brothers. It left me hoping that my own two boys will grow up loving each other with the same loyalty, warmth, and grace that Allen and Gary shared.
May 7, 2018
I met the author’s parents last year when I was home for Labor Day. I heard they were about to celebrate their 65th anniversary and I congratulated them and asked what their best and worst years were. Mrs. Levi said, “I’ll have to think about the best year, but the worst year was definitely the one in which we lost Gary. It was so difficult.” After a few moments silence she continued, “Actually, that was our best year, too. The way our family came together to love him and how close we all became, it was both the best and the worst.” It reminded me of the film “Beautiful Collateral” which I had seen a few months before. In this world, there will be ashes, it’s about finding the beauty in those ashes that make it worth living.
This book is the obituary of a man who lived more intentionally than anybody I’ve ever met. It’s told by a brother who loved him well. There are some sad parts, there are many funny parts, but overall, you will come away being blessed by a deeper knowledge of Gary, Allen, and Jesus. The way these two brothers love each other and others will make you wish you loved everyone in your life as deeply and intentionally as they do. It was a joy and a pleasure to see Christ’s love and servant attitude demonstrated throughout the pages of this book.
This book is the obituary of a man who lived more intentionally than anybody I’ve ever met. It’s told by a brother who loved him well. There are some sad parts, there are many funny parts, but overall, you will come away being blessed by a deeper knowledge of Gary, Allen, and Jesus. The way these two brothers love each other and others will make you wish you loved everyone in your life as deeply and intentionally as they do. It was a joy and a pleasure to see Christ’s love and servant attitude demonstrated throughout the pages of this book.
March 2, 2026
I picked this up because I loved Theo of Golden and wanted more Allen Levi. There’s no question the man can write. His sentences are clean, observant, and often beautiful. He notices the small things that most writers miss, and that gift is evident in The Last Sweet Mile.
I understand the purpose of the book. It feels like an act of devotion and grief, a way of honoring and processing the loss of his brother. But somewhere along the way, the memoir became almost exclusively a theological conversation. Nearly every scene, challenge, or passing thought circles back to Jesus. Faith isn’t the issue. It’s the saturation. After a while, it felt less like a story about a complex human being and more like a sermon with anecdotes.
Ironically, in trying to elevate his brother, Levi sometimes made him harder to warm to. Gary comes across as unwavering in belief, but also rigid, interruptive, dismissive of views that weren’t his own, and, oddly memorably, not big on handwashing. The portrait is honest, but honesty doesn’t always translate to admiration. I kept reading on, hoping for more substance, but I left quite disappointed.
There are moving moments in the book. Levi’s exquisite prose is strong enough to carry them. I just wish the lens would widen beyond faith. Human beings are rarely one-note, even the devout ones.
Three stars. Worth reading for the writing, especially if you're devout and loved Theo. Just know what you’re getting into.
I understand the purpose of the book. It feels like an act of devotion and grief, a way of honoring and processing the loss of his brother. But somewhere along the way, the memoir became almost exclusively a theological conversation. Nearly every scene, challenge, or passing thought circles back to Jesus. Faith isn’t the issue. It’s the saturation. After a while, it felt less like a story about a complex human being and more like a sermon with anecdotes.
Ironically, in trying to elevate his brother, Levi sometimes made him harder to warm to. Gary comes across as unwavering in belief, but also rigid, interruptive, dismissive of views that weren’t his own, and, oddly memorably, not big on handwashing. The portrait is honest, but honesty doesn’t always translate to admiration. I kept reading on, hoping for more substance, but I left quite disappointed.
There are moving moments in the book. Levi’s exquisite prose is strong enough to carry them. I just wish the lens would widen beyond faith. Human beings are rarely one-note, even the devout ones.
Three stars. Worth reading for the writing, especially if you're devout and loved Theo. Just know what you’re getting into.
December 27, 2025
Yes, this is a book about Gary Levi’s life, but ultimately it’s a book that points to the One who gives us life. What a beautiful picture of how joy and sorrow can exist together, and that’s only made possible because of Jesus.
“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduringly when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time.”
“But I hope- and I know Gary would concur- that you’ll have the wisdom to listen to your sadness. Accept it for what it says and follow it to the One who can explain it, heal it, and redeem it.”
“He reminded me often to set my heart on things above.”
“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduringly when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time.”
“But I hope- and I know Gary would concur- that you’ll have the wisdom to listen to your sadness. Accept it for what it says and follow it to the One who can explain it, heal it, and redeem it.”
“He reminded me often to set my heart on things above.”
October 4, 2025
I don’t think I can accurately describe the impact this book has left on me. I think I ended up highlighting the entire thing, but I’ll share a few of my favorites below. This book captured everything I love and believe in. Not only do I get to love the gift of hospitality, but we’re actually called to be hospitable. It reminded me of the incredible gift and joy of siblings — a bond truly like no other. Most of all, this book points to the goodness and sovereignty of Christ. I want to love others & love the Lord like Gary did - like Allen does.
“A dinner table is a good place to put the gifts of God on display: the living word (conversation), the bread of life (a well-prepared meal), the rose of Sharon”
“so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough.”
“what is friendship, rightly lived, but the unheroic call to a thousand small conversations, countless prayers, and a myriad of encouraging words from one person to another over a lifetime? What is it but the bearing of burdens, the sharing of gifts, the asking of uncomfortable questions, and the possible discomfort of necessary confrontation?”
“You cannot love Christ too much. You cannot serve Him too fervently. You cannot enjoy Him too deeply. You cannot know Him too well.”
“A dinner table is a good place to put the gifts of God on display: the living word (conversation), the bread of life (a well-prepared meal), the rose of Sharon”
“so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough.”
“what is friendship, rightly lived, but the unheroic call to a thousand small conversations, countless prayers, and a myriad of encouraging words from one person to another over a lifetime? What is it but the bearing of burdens, the sharing of gifts, the asking of uncomfortable questions, and the possible discomfort of necessary confrontation?”
“You cannot love Christ too much. You cannot serve Him too fervently. You cannot enjoy Him too deeply. You cannot know Him too well.”
August 12, 2025
I want to go live with this man on his farm for two weeks and learn from him. A sad yet beautiful story.
January 24, 2026
“I did not save the world today, Or change the course of history, I walked the small and quite way, The life that God has given me.” - song Allen Levi wrote about his brother Gary.
I loved this book. Honest look on death and dying but full of hope of what is to come. The gospel is soaked in the words and actions of Levi family during Gary’s last year of life together.
I loved this book. Honest look on death and dying but full of hope of what is to come. The gospel is soaked in the words and actions of Levi family during Gary’s last year of life together.
February 18, 2026
By the author of Theo of Golden. I loved getting a glimpse of this author's life with his dear brother. So sweet and inspiring.
September 15, 2025
Such a tender testimony of the bond between two brothers, namely how one cared for the other during his final days. The perspective the author's brother had on life was humbling and encouraging, a living witness of meekness in God's kingdom.
". . . . a life well-lived meant doing small things well over a long period of time. He was heroically unheroic, at peace with his obscure place in a very big picture. This does not mean he didn’t want to be impactful. He did, and precisely because he took his small role seriously, he was.
. . . . the unheroic life of secret generosity and radiant goodness."
". . . . a life well-lived meant doing small things well over a long period of time. He was heroically unheroic, at peace with his obscure place in a very big picture. This does not mean he didn’t want to be impactful. He did, and precisely because he took his small role seriously, he was.
. . . . the unheroic life of secret generosity and radiant goodness."
February 11, 2023
This is a book about a man named Gary. It is, of course, also a book about death. Allen Levi walks us into that shadowy valley with an oxymoronic combination of seriousness that knows the weight of death well and hope that seems to be unimpressed with its limitations.
This book is orients us towards the Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.
“The best is yet to come”.
Maranatha.
This book is orients us towards the Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.
“The best is yet to come”.
Maranatha.
November 13, 2024
Better the second time :)
March 18, 2025
Precious. Encouraging. Inspiring.
February 2, 2026
One of the most hope filled books I've ever read. I fear I've highlighted the whole book. Phenomenal, moving, beautiful. This one left a mark. I promise you'll be enriched by reading it.
" I tell people, to their obvious surprise, that the year you and I shared with cancer was the best year of my life. Difficult and hurtful, yes. But by any measure that really matters—depth of purpose, intensity of focus, freedom from triviality, honesty of affection, genuineness of love and joy and peace, reliance on and trust in God—it was “The Year” for me. To be with my favorite person every day, to relive so much shared history, and to be free from the petty cares that so often clutter my life added up to something for which I can find no words. I wish, of course, that I’d never experienced it, especially knowing how difficult it was for you, but I’m grateful."
"And so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough. And all that he saw, everything he read, every mystery that presented itself to him, and every human achievement or failure that he observed pushed Gary Christ-ward somehow."
" I tell people, to their obvious surprise, that the year you and I shared with cancer was the best year of my life. Difficult and hurtful, yes. But by any measure that really matters—depth of purpose, intensity of focus, freedom from triviality, honesty of affection, genuineness of love and joy and peace, reliance on and trust in God—it was “The Year” for me. To be with my favorite person every day, to relive so much shared history, and to be free from the petty cares that so often clutter my life added up to something for which I can find no words. I wish, of course, that I’d never experienced it, especially knowing how difficult it was for you, but I’m grateful."
"And so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough. And all that he saw, everything he read, every mystery that presented itself to him, and every human achievement or failure that he observed pushed Gary Christ-ward somehow."
February 11, 2026
By the author of Theo of Golden - I LOVED this book. I will read it again. And maybe again after that.
December 15, 2025
5/5 Stars. Real, encouraging, edifying, and a lovely tribute from one brother to another. The way Gary glorified God in the “small things” of life is inspiring. Looking for a good and godly role model? Read this book and learn of Gary, but more importantly learn of Gary’s God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
February 1, 2026
What a beautiful, loving tribute to a life well lived. This story contains the love of a brother, the loss of a beloved brother, and all the waves of joy and sorrow that come with the ultimate separation of death. I just lost my sister to Alzheimer's last month, so much of this story was poignant and current for me. Losing that "secret language" is a visceral loss and oh my, the loss of shared laughter. Whether you're Christian or not, you can feel the devotion of Gary and his unending pursuit of bringing the divine into every day life. You can feel the kindness and love of his actions. You can find hope in his faith. You can dream of Heaven. A beautiful memoir. And now we know who is at the heart of Theo of Golden.
November 21, 2025
Beautifully written book. I loved everything about it. It challenges me and encourages me to live a life where loving Christ is my highest priority, coming in close second is loving others with His love. Gary’s life was inspiring simply because he sought to imitate Jesus. Laughter & tears both occurred. I’d recommend to anyone!
March 14, 2017
Deeply touching, Christ-centered memoir of Allen Levi's brother, Gary, and the last year of Gary's life. I know my rating reflects a bias: I have long been a fan of Allen's music and know bits and pieces about his family via the blog he writes (much less frequently these past few years). It is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of life, death, family, and brotherly love, all within the framework of an unapologetic Christian worldview. You'll be enriched by reading it. It's available through Allen's website, allenlevi.com.
July 24, 2024
This book was beautiful, loving tribute to a brother and the life he lived for Christ. It read like a eulogy that spanned chapters instead of paragraphs and with time after the loss to process and share. It was heartbreaking yet so hopeful.
“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduring when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time.”
“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduring when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time.”
February 14, 2025
After reading Theo of Golden, I decided to try another of Alan Levi’s books. This time it was his story of the year he spent with his brother before his brother lost his battle to a brain tumor… Heartfelt, Christ honoring, tearjerker story of walking with and serving someone through their last days on earth readying with family for a brothers journey to spend eternity with Christ. Whew.
October 31, 2025
Phenomenal. Unapologetically wept the entirety of my flight. Excellent verbiage put to grief/ joy/ pain/ suffering/ delight/ hope/ and a life well lived. I will be thinking of this for a long time and don’t adequately have the words right now for how this impacted me and pointed me towards Heaven. “The best is yet to come….” 🤍
July 10, 2022
I dare you to read it. Boy oh boy that was a somber sweet read. It was like going to a really good funeral. The ones that inspires you to be a better man or woman. You leave humbled and caught up in the Glory of God. (Highly Recommend, I dare you!)
May 31, 2025
A beautifully written story of the life lived by a true man of God and the brother that loved him beyond words. I only wish I had lived to know Gary and his devoted brother Allen. Pine Mountain GA is my home. I would love to visit the Levi farm someday.
August 15, 2025
A heartbreaking but hopeful letter to family that Allen Levi wrote in honor of his brother Gary. This covers the final year of Gary's life as he passed away from brain cancer. Gary's life was a life well-lived and this book brought laughter, sadness, and expectancy.
April 8, 2017
Difficult, but beautiful. This book made me intensely grateful for family and for a common faith in the Lord that enables us to live, and by God's grace, someday also doe, well.
December 25, 2017
Fantastic book. Great encouragement and reminder that to live a life of faith is to live a life of servitude. I must decrease so that he will increase.
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October 9, 2022“I don’t wish for any of us to remember (Gary) as anything other than what he was-a man deeply flawed and conscious of it, but deeply forgiven and conscious of that too.”, p. 5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews