Eric Liddell: Olympic Gold
About 3 weeks back, Jason and I watched the movie Chariots of Fire. The story of Scottish Olympic runner/missionary to China, Eric Liddell. The movie was very well-done, but it left me wanting to know the whole story. Chariots of Fire focuses on Eric Liddell's journey to the 1924 Olympics, and that's the story. His missionary career to follow is given honorable mention, but the film is about running in the Olympics. I wanted to know more about his life as a missionary, so off the Library website I went. I have since listened to Something Greater than Gold, by Janet and Geoff Benge. Their Heroes Then and Now Series is awesome and I enjoyed listening to this book on CD in the car with the kids.
I also checked out the book For the Glory: Eric Liddell's Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr, by Duncan Hamilton. I am not sure I will get through this biography, but I am enjoying it. Mr. Hamilton writes the story assuming his reader has viewed the film Chariots of Fire. He addresses where the movie veers from history, and gives his own very detailed account of the events leading up to the Olympics. That's as far as I have gotten in the book, and I am only about 1/3 of the way through. I hope to finish this, but with Due Date approaching, and the 31st Olympics, Rio!, on TV right now, my expectations are low.
At the beginning of this summer, I never imagined I would immerse myself in Olympic, and WW11 history by reading. That is what has happened. First with Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, and now with For the Glory, by Duncan Hamilton.
I am always so impressed and inspired by the Olympics (I've posted about this in years past). Watching these super athletes inspires me to get out and run, or push a little harder in a work-out. This year I watch with the greater understanding that the Olympics is just the tip of the iceberg for these athletes. Their lives off screen, off-court, out of the water, are important, maybe even greater than their achievements in Rio. Realizing that success in life is about more than an Olympic medal. It's more than just being at the top of your game physically. That is what I have learned from reading these biographies this summer.
I also checked out the book For the Glory: Eric Liddell's Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr, by Duncan Hamilton. I am not sure I will get through this biography, but I am enjoying it. Mr. Hamilton writes the story assuming his reader has viewed the film Chariots of Fire. He addresses where the movie veers from history, and gives his own very detailed account of the events leading up to the Olympics. That's as far as I have gotten in the book, and I am only about 1/3 of the way through. I hope to finish this, but with Due Date approaching, and the 31st Olympics, Rio!, on TV right now, my expectations are low.At the beginning of this summer, I never imagined I would immerse myself in Olympic, and WW11 history by reading. That is what has happened. First with Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, and now with For the Glory, by Duncan Hamilton.
I am always so impressed and inspired by the Olympics (I've posted about this in years past). Watching these super athletes inspires me to get out and run, or push a little harder in a work-out. This year I watch with the greater understanding that the Olympics is just the tip of the iceberg for these athletes. Their lives off screen, off-court, out of the water, are important, maybe even greater than their achievements in Rio. Realizing that success in life is about more than an Olympic medal. It's more than just being at the top of your game physically. That is what I have learned from reading these biographies this summer.
Comments