Complete Surrender

Book excerpt: Eric Liddell, the Scottish 400m Olympic Champion from the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris was immortalised in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. His story however goes far beyond the restrictions of a two hour movie that in any case was not entirely accurate with the truth of the detail of Liddell's extraordinary but tragically short life. Julian Wilson's vivid biography recounts not only the highs and lows of his athletics career including his controversial decision never to run on a Sunday, but also his life after the Olympics as a missionary in war torn China. It was here that is unassuming and selfless character won him many friends despite the severity of the conditions he had to endure toward the end of his life.