Eric Liddell

by Ellen Caughey

For many people, having a movie made about your life would be the ultimate accomplishment. But not for Eric Liddell, subject of the film Chariots of Fire. Though he won a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics, Liddell was far more concerned with running the race of the Christian life. He is remembered best for refusing to compete on Sunday, but after his brief track career, Liddell pursued his true goal in serving as missionary to China. He died in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, at the age of forty-three. Though his life was brief, Eric Liddell remains an inspiration to many.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History, Sports, Juvenile, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

ELLEN CAUGHEY is a freelance writer and editor from Harrington, New Jersey.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for content, 3.5 for writing. This is a fine option for middle grades students.

[Bo Trapnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better biography of the Olympic runner and missionary then I expected. Very good.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for younger readers and folks who don't like long books. A solid overview of the high points of his life. Chariots of Fire is only half the story!

[Josué Zepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Spanish Speakers:
Es un libro muy bueno en sí.
Me gustó que la redacción es entendible y va avanzando en la trama mientras te explica sucesos históricos que son muy relevantes y ponen en perspectiva el contexto, pues la vida de Eric ocurrió a comienzos del siglo pasado.

Hay muchos detalles interesantes y referencias a personas y amigos de Eric que hacen más como si fuera contado por alguien cercano a él y no solamente una biografía de Wikipedia.
Y vaya que la vida de Eric Liddell es impresionante, porque era un humano que se dejó guiar por Dios paso a paso, entendiendo que la vida era una carrera con etapas.
Lo que me gustó mucho de su vida es que fue aprendiendo de Dios y el ministerio que le correspondía mientras maduraba en la fe, lo cual el libro lo presenta muy bien.

Es también un genial libro para practicar inglés.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving biography of a famous Scot! It was especially interesting to learn about the men and women who had a significant influence on the course of Eric's life, and to also reflect on his influence on countless others, including Peter Marshall, who I have just been learning about. In the end, I was moved to tears and re-inspired to ask God to guide me in whatever he has for me regardless of the cost.

[Eric Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story of Olympian and missionary Eric Liddell is amazing, this rendering of it is disjointed at times and panders to an evangelical audience. I cringed many times, thinking how certain statements meant to encourage a Christian might actually be hurtful.

For example, Liddell has an illness as a child which could've left him crippled or unable to run. The author assures us, without acknowledging millions of actually crippled Christians, that "God would not forsake His child." Does this mean He has forsaken those millions of others?

Despite these caveats, I enjoyed this short, quick read, and appreciated the track scenes. I just wish I had found a more nuanced and robust book about Liddell's life and the issues of his day.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

His story is so encouraging. I just think this book was not particularly well written.

[Isaiah Jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Liddell's sacrificial life for other's was so beautiful. This book was well written; it included both Liddell's life as an Olympian and as a missionary very precisely.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting - included Liddell's extraordinary life beyond "Chariots of Fire"

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars [Biography]
(W: 3, T: 3.5, P: 3)
Exact rating: 3.17