What do you think?
Rate this book
Complete Surrender: Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell, the Scottish 400m Olympic champion from the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris was immortalised in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. His story, however, goes far beyond the restrictions of a 2-hour movie. Julian Wilson’s vivid biography recounts not only the highs and lows of Liddell's athletics career, including his controversial decision never to run on a Sunday, but also his life after the Olympics as a missionary in war-torn China. The book draws upon interviews with Liddell's surviving family and friends, and includes some fascinating anecdotes, reminiscences, extracts from his letters and a number of rare photographs.
170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
10 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 7, 2017
An inspirational life. This brief biography was densely packed with information - all of it presented succinctly and in a straight forward manner. I had always wondered about Liddell's life after the Olympics (where the film "Chariots of Fire") ended. He became a missionary in China and died of a brain tumor in Japanese POW camp. His presence and his faith help keep many in the camp from losing hope or spirit. He was a hero.
September 24, 2014
I always thought Eric Lidell was a great athlete who happened to be a Christian and a missionary. This book shows in fact he was a great Christian and a great missionary who happened to be an Olympic athlete.
August 5, 2024
A man said this of Liddell at his funeral:
“Of all the men I have ever known, Eric Liddell was the one in whose character and life the Spirit of Jesus Christ was pre-eminently manifested. What was the secret of his consecrated life and far-reaching influence? Absolute surrender to God’s will as revealed in Jesus Christ. His was a God-controlled life and he followed his Master and Lord with a devotion that never flagged and with an intensity of purpose that made men see both the reality and power of true religion.”
“Of all the men I have ever known, Eric Liddell was the one in whose character and life the Spirit of Jesus Christ was pre-eminently manifested. What was the secret of his consecrated life and far-reaching influence? Absolute surrender to God’s will as revealed in Jesus Christ. His was a God-controlled life and he followed his Master and Lord with a devotion that never flagged and with an intensity of purpose that made men see both the reality and power of true religion.”
January 13, 2023
Not a long book, but certainly a convicting and Inspiring one. Parts of the beginning were a bit slow for those of us less interested in the details and stats during Eric’s athletic career. However, I would not have wanted to have skipped those pages because many other important and touching facts were shared.
I’m so glad God uses normal people. Eric was a gifted athlete, but he was often said to be average in looks and even speech. As the title states (as well as his last words which brought me to tears), it wasn’t about him. His life was about “complete surrender” to God.
I’m so glad God uses normal people. Eric was a gifted athlete, but he was often said to be average in looks and even speech. As the title states (as well as his last words which brought me to tears), it wasn’t about him. His life was about “complete surrender” to God.
September 29, 2021
A very good biography of Eric Liddell. I loved not only reading about his athletics but also spending more time than other biographies focussed on what happened after the 1924 Olympic Games. Really easy read.
June 28, 2019
Anyone who has seen the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire knows the story of the runner who shot to world fame after his amazing performance in the 1924 Olympics. But while the movie majors on his athletic ability and minors on his faith, Julian Wilson’s book, Complete Surrender, does the opposite. He passes lightly over Liddell’s Olympic accomplishments and focuses on his evangelistic work and on his eight years as a missionary in China.
Despite his dazzling success on the running track and meteoric rise to national prominence Eric Liddell remained modest and unaffected. Those who knew him well knew he was more concerned with what God thought about him than what the people around him thought. His one overwhelming concern was to do what was pleasing to God.
Most of the testimonies in the book refer to his kindness and unselfishness, particularly after the Japanese put him in an internment camp (during WWII) where he cared for those who were weak and sick. The overcrowded camp with its horrible food and appalling living conditions caused the majority of its inmates to grumble and quarrel. Eric, on the other hand, sought to be a peacemaker by sowing seeds of encouragement. He taught math and science, planned sports activities and puppet shows and taught the children how to play chess and checkers.
The book contains many amazing stories, but Wilson is careful to emphasize that Liddell was just an ordinary man who walked in complete obedience to Christ. Eric's favorite theme when he talked to young people was “a God-controlled life” and his last words were, “Annie, it’s complete surrender.” Although he had given up his athletic career to go to China, he won the only race that really matters. At the end of his life he could say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Tim 4:7,8)
Despite his dazzling success on the running track and meteoric rise to national prominence Eric Liddell remained modest and unaffected. Those who knew him well knew he was more concerned with what God thought about him than what the people around him thought. His one overwhelming concern was to do what was pleasing to God.
Most of the testimonies in the book refer to his kindness and unselfishness, particularly after the Japanese put him in an internment camp (during WWII) where he cared for those who were weak and sick. The overcrowded camp with its horrible food and appalling living conditions caused the majority of its inmates to grumble and quarrel. Eric, on the other hand, sought to be a peacemaker by sowing seeds of encouragement. He taught math and science, planned sports activities and puppet shows and taught the children how to play chess and checkers.
The book contains many amazing stories, but Wilson is careful to emphasize that Liddell was just an ordinary man who walked in complete obedience to Christ. Eric's favorite theme when he talked to young people was “a God-controlled life” and his last words were, “Annie, it’s complete surrender.” Although he had given up his athletic career to go to China, he won the only race that really matters. At the end of his life he could say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Tim 4:7,8)
August 14, 2020
Complete Surrender has a special place in my heart. It is the story of the Scottish Olympian and missionary to China, Eric Liddell. Follow along as you read about his life and desire to have complete surrender to the Lord. Eric Liddell is someone I have looked up to over the years. I have read this book twice now and it still challenges and encourages me in my faith. I definitely recommend it!
November 8, 2022
While the Eric Liddel described more than deserves a five star rating, Wilson does not. His portrayal is often repetitive and pedantic, a list of facts and quotes and very little warmth. Granted, not knowing Eric Liddel personally, he was dependent on other people’s opinions and observations, but Wilson never presented us with a fully fleshed out human being. Instead we got a icon.
October 2, 2025
Superb short book on the amazing life of one of the world's greatest athletes - Scotsman Eric Liddell. A man of the purest integrity and the most wonderful of runners. The movie that portrays Liddell - Chariots of Fire - is my all-time favourite movies. Splendid book! The best I have read on Liddell.
May 4, 2024
Decent biography, with a couple caveats. The book definitely assumes that you have seen the movie Chariots of Fire, so watch that first if you're planning on reading this. Also, a large portion of the book is quotes from people who knew Eric Liddell, rather than Wilson's own writing about him.
March 8, 2022
A truly inspiring story of an astonishing man.
September 19, 2024
A real insight into the man. Style is quite factual and lots of quotes from all those around him.
December 27, 2012
I enjoyed this quick but detailed book of the life of Eric Liddell. It divides squarely and evenly from Eric the runner to Eric the missionary. The latter half being more interesting. I found there are lessons, examples and trials from reading of Eric's life that can be applied and learnt to my own christian faith. Particularly interesting is the way Eric Liddel funnels the world wide fame accorded upon for the Glory of God. He did not fall on his pride.
I would recommend this book as a christian read.
I would recommend this book as a christian read.
May 23, 2013
The biography of Eric Liddell, winner of the 400m Gold Medal at the 1924 Olympics and missionary in China through the 30s and the war years.
This was a quick read, with no big theological words, but I enjoyed it very much and it has really made me think about my life, my faith and how the two go together. Recommended.
This was a quick read, with no big theological words, but I enjoyed it very much and it has really made me think about my life, my faith and how the two go together. Recommended.
April 1, 2016
Incredible!
Do yourself a favor, read this book! It is riveting, powerful, concise, and beautifully written. And at the heart of it is a hero of heroes, a man who was completely surrendered to the Lord! May we learn from the example of Eric Liddell, and be ourselves completely surrendered to the Lord in each of our walks of life.
Do yourself a favor, read this book! It is riveting, powerful, concise, and beautifully written. And at the heart of it is a hero of heroes, a man who was completely surrendered to the Lord! May we learn from the example of Eric Liddell, and be ourselves completely surrendered to the Lord in each of our walks of life.
August 15, 2008
an amazing story about an incredible man. If you enjoyed "The Chariots of Fire" read this book about the "flying scottsman".
May 1, 2012
Reading this book changed my life! My favorite book about Eric Liddell, and I have read a lot of books about him!
February 3, 2016
Not as capturing as Unbroken, but it's still a great story!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews