Men of Valor: Eric Liddell: Olympian, Missionary, Prisoner of War

by Ellen Caughey

A world-class runner.  
A committed Christian.  
A life of courageous service.
 
Meet Eric Running to Win.
 
This Scottish runner bypassed an Olympic qualifying race because it was being held on a Sunday. Then he qualified in a different race and won a gold medal (in world record time!) in the 1924 Paris games.
 
But Eric Liddell left his fame behind to become a missionary in China. His dramatic story, which inspired the Academy Award-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire , will challenge you to run the race of life mentioned in Hebrews 12:1–2:
 
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
 
This easy-reading, novelized biography details Liddell’s life and ministry, and the sacrifices he made in commitment to God. You’ll be inspired to follow his example, as he followed the example of Christ. . .and run the race of life to win.
 

Genres: Biography

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2020

About the author

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

Reviews

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, albeit (I felt) geared toward a younger audience than the back-cover blurb would suggest. Informative about Liddell, his story, and China at the time. I just wish it was a bit meatier and perhaps aimed for adult readers. There’s so much promise in the topic, it just didn’t deliver quite as I expected or hoped!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Alan Braswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography of Eric Liddell goes beyond the 1981 Oscar winning film; Chariots of Fire., In that it shows that films have this tendency to exaggerate the truth.
Beginning in China with Eric Liddell parents during the trying time of the Boxer rebellion to Scotland where Eric along with his brother Rob Excel in sports at the school. Onto the Olympics in 1924 and before Eric Liddell becomes somewhat of an evangelist. Afterwards he sets sail to China to begin his own missionary work.

The writing is fast pace goes chronologically through the life of Eric Liddell.
Main problem with the biography is that it presents a false narrative. This is true of so many Christian biographies and some secular ones. It depicts Eric Liddell as being all holy without sin.
No believer or unbeliever can relate to this biography. In scriptures there are several incidences in which men who have been called by God fall. Abraham, Issac, Jacob, King David, Jesus own disciples.
Warts on a person show the true nature.
There are no warts on Eric Liddell

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour publishing for this arc.

[Clara K Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so inspiring, his dedication to God and his goal of being a missionary and how nothing, even his love of running never deterred him from his main goal. Must say the ending was sad, but otherwise this was one of those must read books.

[Rick Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly standard biography about a fascinating individual. Could have been better, but still worth the read.

[Cathy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew the story of Eric Liddle simply from teaching it as a missions lesson to my children's class at church. I was interested to know in more detail of his missionary work. He was truly sold out to God. Having been born in China to missionary parents, he was sent to England with his older brother at the age of 5 to boarding school. There he remained until he graduated college and was ordained as a pastor. He then returned to his beloved China as a missionary and died in an internment camp at the age of 43.