Eric Liddell: Pure Gold: The Olympic Champion Who Inspired Chariots of Fire

I picked up this book about Eric Liddell 1.5 years ago in large part due to the fact that I was assigned a film analysis on the Chariots of Fire. Eric Liddell won an Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters at the 1924 summer games in Paris, and his life story inspired the 1981 "Best Picture," Chariots of Fire. After his unexpected victory in the 400, Eric would serve and follow Christ in China for the remainder of his life - many of those years would be in Tianjin where I have been living for the past 6.5 years. I really enjoyed reading about the Flying Scotsman, and I was reminded about how easy our lives are compared to those who lived in the Middle Kingdom long ago. The book also cleared up the creative fabrications found in Chariots of Fire. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about a man who ran for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Pure Gold by David McCasland provides an exquisite look into the life of Eric Liddell, missionary to China throughout the early 1900's. Mr. McCasland's book captures the passion that Eric had for his Lord and for the mission field. While Eric Liddell is best known for his Olympic running achievements as portrayed in the film, Chariots of Fire, not as much is known about his intense devotion to both God and his family. The book includes a section of photographs that complement the book well. This was an inspiring and thoughtful insight into a truly great man of God.

This is wonderful and complete, and it tells the story that most people don't know, far beyond the Olympics. One word of warning: this is written and distributed through a Christian Publishing house in Michigan, and is highly inspirational and religiously oriented. If that turns you off, do not read. Or maybe DO read....but for sheer completeness of the Liddell story, there is nothing else that comes close to this volume.

Outstanding book on the life of a young dedicated christian. Should be of great encouragement to young people who desperately need someone as an role model in this day of confusion. Book is well written and brings out his courage to do that which is right in the face of adversity. Book is written in a foremat that can be enjoyed by those of any age group.

Are you sure it can't be done??? well, think twice and then read this man's biography. Eric Liddell immortilized worldwide in the 1981 Hugh Hudson's motion picture Chariots of Fire in its purest form is presented in this book. A story on courage, capacity and determination. You should not miss it. You shall want to go out jogging and be a better person to say the least! From his birth on January 16, 1902 in Tientsin, China, to his unexpected death due to a brain tumor on February 21, 1945 in a japanese concentration camp in that same country, passing through his experiences at boarding school in the UK, his olympic victory, his religious commitments, his unbelievable determination, his beloved Florence ("Flo") and the beautiful love story that surrounded their relationship, the people who marked his life (his mother Mary, father James, brothers Rob and Ernest, sister Jenny, etc.). A book that brought out emotions from the beginning when I read about Florence (Eric's widow) watching Chariots of Fire and imagining her reactions, her feelings of pride... This book is a thoroughly rewarding experience!