ePub The Blind Angel by Tovia Halberstam; Joshua Halberstam in History

Description

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 WWIIMany 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.