For the Glory, Duncan Hamilton
For the Glory, Duncan Hamilton
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For the Glory
Eric Liddell's Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr

Author: Duncan Hamilton

Narrator: Nicholas Guy Smith

Unabridged: 13 hr 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 05/10/2016


Synopsis

“Hamilton is a guarantee of quality.” —Financial Times

“Duncan Hamilton’s compelling biography puts flesh on the legend and paints a vivid picture of not only a great athlete, but also a very special human being.” —Daily Mail

The untold and inspiring story of Eric Liddell, hero of Chariots of Fire, from his Olympic medal to his missionary work in China to his last, brave years in a Japanese work camp during WWII

Many people will remember Eric Liddell as the Olympic gold medalist from the Academy Award winning film Chariots of Fire. Famously, Liddell would not run on Sunday because of his strict observance of the Christian sabbath, and so he did not compete in his signature event, the 100 meters, at the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was the greatest sprinter in the world at the time, and his choice not to run was ridiculed by the British Olympic committee, his fellow athletes, and most of the world press. Yet Liddell triumphed in a new event, winning the 400 meters in Paris.

Liddell ran—and lived—for the glory of his God. After winning gold, he dedicated himself to missionary work. He travelled to China to work in a local school and as a missionary. He married and had children there. By the time he could see war on the horizon, Liddell put Florence, his pregnant wife, and children on a boat to Canada, while he stayed behind, his conscience compelling him to stay among the Chinese. He and thousands of other westerners were eventually interned at a Japanese work camp.

Once imprisoned, Liddell did what he was born to do, practice his faith and his sport. He became the moral center of an unbearable world. He was the hardest worker in the camp, he counseled many of the other prisoners, he gave up his own meager portion of meals many days, and he organized games for the children there. He even raced again. For his ailing, malnourished body, it was all too much. Liddell died of a brain tumor just before the end of the war. His passing was mourned around the world, and his story still inspires.

In the spirit of The Boys in the Boat and Unbroken, For the Glory is both a compelling narrative of athletic heroism and a gripping story of faith in the darkest circumstances.

About The Author

Duncan Hamilton is an award-winning sportswriter and author who has twice won the foremost sports writing prize in the UK (the William Hill) and been nominated an additional three times. He is the author of several books.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mahlon on May 23, 2016

Eric Liddell has long been a sporting hero of mine, so when I found out that Duncan Hamilton, one of the best sports writers working today was writing a new biography of Eric, I eagerly anticipated it's release. Given that several of Mr. Hamilton's brooks have won multiple awards, my expectations we......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on March 27, 2016

I was barely into my twenties when I met Dr. Maybell Marian Holmes. She had been born to missionaries in China, and later returned to China as a missionary. Her parents had fled China during the Boxer Rebellion. Her father Rev. Thomas D. Holmes wrote a book, China Stories, about his experiences. Dr.......more

Goodreads review by Dean on August 27, 2017

My favorite book for this year so far!!!! It has touch me deeply and brought tears on my eyes..... Eric Liddell's biography is a passionate wake up call to all those in whose hearts still dwell a sense of decency, unflinching hope, and the willingness and readiness to sacrifice himself in the face of......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on September 05, 2019

detailed bio of Eric Liddell who in modern times is remembered as portrayed in the film chariots of fire the author documents his early life in china and his schooling days to Edinburgh and the 1924 Paris games where he won the 400 metres gold and his church work and in later life which was cut shir......more

Goodreads review by Matt on March 03, 2017

This is a tremendously difficult book for me to rate, as it is rare for a book to move me as this one did. If you were to time travel back 20 years and talk to my teen-aged self about the ideal man, I think my description would have sounded very much like this book's description of Eric Liddell - a......more


Quotes

“Duncan Hamilton’s compelling biography puts flesh on the legend and paints a vivid picture of not only a great athlete, but also a very special human being.” Daily Mail

“Poignant . . . moving . . . [For the Glory] will appeal to fans of Chariots of Fire as well as Unbroken and similar books.” Kirkus

“In this vivid portrait of Eric Liddell, Hamilton shows us not only the power of a hero, but also the power of faith. He brings to life a man who was exemplary in his perseverance and unbending in his beliefs when facing adversity. A beautifully-written, evocative story of unflinching morality and true humanity.” —Eric Blehm, New York Times Bestselling author of Fearless and Legend

“Hamilton is a guarantee of quality.” Financial Times

“A marriage of prose and detail so fine and fastidious that it takes the breath away.” —The Independent (UK)