An amazing book of the faithfulness of God even in a man that did not live life long. Jim's life challenges me to live differently, more Christ-like, more devoted to the things of God and willing to go where he has been called. Some things I was challenged by included his patience waiting on the Lord for His will to be done in his relationship with Elisabeth (AKA Bets or Betty) and his move to Ecuador eventually.

Got on audible for free was was surprised that it was read by Elizabeth Elliot.

This was one of the best biographies I have ever read. Instead of simply telling us about Jim, Mrs. Elliot shows us who Jim was through his writings providing a far more poignant effect than most biographies. Reading through this, I felt like I honestly knew Jim. There were points when I would say, "That is totally a Jim thing to do." because I just felt like he was one of my friends and not just some person I was reading about.

More importantly, this book is spiritual inspiring and restoring. Reading this helped make Jesus more real to me again. It reminded me that I can take anything and everything to Him. It also encouraged me to yearn for more of God than what I've been getting. God has so much more in store for me if I would just let go and trust Him.

Beyond that, I also felt that this book is a good relationship guide. Jim and Betty's earnest desire to seek God's will above all else is a grand example of how everybody should go about pursuing a romantic relationship. I think, their experience has opened my eyes to some things about my own decisions and views on relationships that needed to change.

Basically, this was an amazing book, and the Epilogue was an absolutely perfect ending. It was like a summary of who Jim was and where his heart lay.

I’ve always respected and admired Jim Elliot. This book details his life through letters and journal entries which at times seemed scattered and frustrating to read. In my opinion, Jim’s early fanaticism in the faith was annoying. As he grew older, he became more tempered while maintaining a heart for missions. His love for the lost and his wife became increasingly interesting and enjoyable to read towards the end. Jim will remain one of my favorite missionaries ever and my heart breaks for his family and their having to live without him. I’m glad I read this book and his story is amazing. Two star rating based on the entire book being letters and journals that sometimes, for me, aren’t enjoyable to read.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose."

Quote from another reviewer so I wouldn't have to find it again:
"This book could be read as a prequel to Through Gates of Splendor, also by Elisabeth Elliot. It is basically a biography of the life of Jim Elliot, from the perspective of his wife, his lengthy and detailed journals and his letters to his family/friends.
On reading about Jim's school life and growing experiences, I was impressed with his dedication to personal holiness and spiritual discipline. Also, his desire to understand the Bible for himself through thorough study rather than relying on, and adopting the viewpoints of, other respected Christians. Most of us tend to do the latter, often to our detriment, especially when it comes to apologetics as we are unable to effectively express our viewpoints/defend our faith as we haven't studied it in sufficient detail, or been persuaded ourselves what we believe. Elliot diligently and persistently studied the Word often adopting viewpoints that went completely against the grain at the time. He sought also to use every minute of his time wisely and only got himself involved in those things that would forward God's Kingdom in some aspect or another. Through reading his diaries it is clear that his dogmatic views changed over time but his heart was always to follow Scripture regardless the cost to his personal reputation."
“While Elliot's life was interesting and his devotional life a challenge I found the style of the book hard going and much too detailed in places. Lengthy journal extracts and letters about flora and fauna, Elliot's personal spiritual experiences,
The format of telling most of Jim Elliot's story from his own words in journals and letters is effective, I suppose, but ends up rather dry. Oddly, I found Mr. Elliot's writing poetic and compelling at times. I wonder if Mrs. Elliot could have simply relied on his own words too much? Perhaps she could have summarized more events.”
“Mr. Elliot made it clear that he would register as a conscientious objector should he be drafted. I confess that I do NOT understand at all this religious objection to defending freedom. It's interesting to note that I read a biography of George and Martha Washington at the same time I read this biography, and I would consider George Washington to have had as deep and abiding a faith as Mr. Elliot had. Mr. Washington, however, considered it an obligation to serve his country by defending the budding United States from tyranny--and indeed, several prominent Quakers left their sect and their pacifism to fight against the British in the Revolutionary War. So while I suppose I can respect Mr. Elliot's strength of conviction, I do not understand it, and I suspect that he would have been mightily offended by Mr. Washington's ability to reconcile his faith with serving in war.”

Biography of Jim Elliot as narrated by his letters with commentary by his wife.
Jim Elliot was a missionary killed back in 1956 by the very people to which he was reaching out.

This book is more of a memoir of Elliot's life growing up, with a focus on his desire and dedication to spiritual holiness and to his calling. Though I found his writing to be passionate, thoughtful, and full of conviction, I felt as if I was being carried through a narrative that was a bit one dimensional, similar to remembering a person by somewhat self-selected eulogies.

The book included an extended theme with respect to relationships, the tradeoffs of marriage, and the struggle of commitment, which some may find encouraging.

I have treasured Elisabeth Elliot's other writings in the past, so I finally sat myself down and began to read from where her legacy begins, namely, the life of which she shared with her first husband, Jim Elliot.
If you seem to lack fire in your faith, passion to ignite your heart, and have not been yet confronted with the Divine challenge, then I highly recommend this book. I would also select it for those who desire to find themselves on the mission field someday. Jim seemed to have tenacity that very few Christians now and in his time seemed to have. He had a heart set fully ablaze for heavenly things. He knew that to live for Christ Jesus must inevitably mean to die is gain, both to self, and, the passage that we must all eventually take, physically. To him, being able to reach the unreachable, to love the unlovable, to pattern the Lord's life - he sought not a long life, but a full life like Christ's. He knew without a shadow of doubt that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground, it remains alone, but if it falls, it dies and bears much fruit.
Ultimately, it was the same mantra that C.T Studd preached, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him," which Jim lived by. That proved true at the end of his life.
I fault this book to 4 stars (4.5 would possibly be more accurate), not because of Jim's life or what he said or did, but rather, the writing style in which the book is scripted. It is true that some of his views are rather interesting, particularly in his younger years, but I could not mark down for questioning and growth. Rather, I found the book to jump around a lot, and it was a little difficult to follow. When Jim finds himself graduated from Wheaton, but not yet on the field, he did a lot of itinerary preaching and traveling, which seemed to almost confuse. Was he here or was he there? I think Elisabeth Elliot's motive was to keep the text as true as she could to Jim's perspective and words, and not hers. Yet, I do have to question if she was to fill in the blanks a little more, rather than relying on his letters and journals, it would have enabled a better flow of story without the confusion of where he was and who he was with.
Overall, a very satisfying read that does challenge the reader to live the higher life that we, as Christians, are all called to, filled with passion and vigor for Christ. You cannot read such a book and remain unchanged or at least, unaffected.

Jim Elliot's short, powerful life reminded me of what Christ's own life showed first: we are all born to die. It's up to us whether our lives simply peter out (result of the Fall and all that) or whether we find an altar, choose a cross, draw a line, pick an Alamo, raise a flag, and say, "Here. For this. For this I will give my life." One decision, many moments, throughout all the life God gives us.

Profound impact on me - I see how much of my life I have not completely surrendered to Christ. Praise Jesus for the freedom he brings! So crazy Elisabeth published this two years after Jim's death. So fresh.

It's hard to give any book by Elisabeth Elliot anything less than perfect, but I wanted the writing to move faster at times. The book was on the life of Jim Elliot. Perhaps grouping some of his experiences would have worked better than sticking to chronology. Nevertheless, what a wonderful accounting of an amazing life of a man early committed to God and his leading. In his short life, Elliot had a huge impact on the world. The book was mainly a collection of his journals and letters. He read much and widely. Very quotable. One fact I did not remember from previous reading was his great interest in gardening, both vegetables and flowers/plants.

(on reading 'Reader's Digest,' Wordsworth and Coleridge): "Not profitable for sanctifying, but good broadening."

"Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness."

He did not make a practice of asking members of the congregation to make any overt response to the message, feeling that if the Holy Spirit was at work in the mind and heart of the listener during the meeting, He would continue that work later.

"In my own experience I have found that the most extravagant dreams of boyhood have not surpassed the great experience of being in the Will of God."

"In the United States there is usually respect for the Word of God--that is, outward respect, even where there is no thought of obedience to it. In the Equadorian jungle the Indian has not reached that 'level of culture' -- he has neither respect, manifested by apparent attention when it is being read, nor reverence, manifested in obedience to it. The women are the most difficult element in the meetings--they search their children's heads for lice, stand up in a body when anything passes outside, rush to the window if it promises to be interesting, thrust a foot up on the bench for the nearest person to examine for thorns, hustle in and out with children, and have discussions in a conversational tone of voice."

"Any disobedience soon leads to doubt and dallying."

“One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime. Nor is surrender to the will of God (per se) adequate to fullness of power in Christ. Maturity is the accomplishment of years, and I can only surrender to the will of God as I know what that will is.”

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

Wow. What a testament, what a life. I was so challeneged and stirred as I went through this. I plan on reading more stories of saints like this that have gone before me. I pray my life is used as Jim's was, for and to the glory of God. As I was listening this, I said to myself I don't want to waste my life.

"God I pray Thee light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn out for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you Lord Jesus. Father, take my life, yea my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I will not save it for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar. Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be a flame, but flame is often short lived. Canst thou bear this my soul? Short life. In me there dwells the spirit of the great short lived, whose zeal for God's house consumed him. 'Make me Thy fuel, flame of God.'"