Through Gates of Splendor: The Event That Shocked the World, Changed a People, and Inspired a Nation (Hendrickson Classic Biographies) [Hardcover]

Elisabeth Elliot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2010 | Series: Hendrickson Classic Biographies

"I would say, without hesitation, God used this book to change my life."
--Chuck Swindoll

In 1956, five young men, including Elliot's husband, Jim, traveled into the jungles of Ecuador to establish communication with the fierce Huaorani Tribe, a people whose only previous response to the outside world had been to attack all strangers. The men's mission combined modern technology with innate ingenuity, sparked by a passionate determination to get the gospel to those without Christ. In a nearby village, their wives waited to hear from them. The news they received--all five missionaries had been murdered--changed lives around the world forever.

Written while she was still a missionary in South America and at the request of the men's families, "Through Gates of Splendor" was Elisabeth Elliot's personal account of the final mission of these five courageous men. Filled with quotations from letters, material from personal journals, a wealth of photographs, and an epilogue update, this reprint of the original hardcover edition tells a lasting story of God's grace, unconditional love, and great courage. This story inspired the 2006 box office hit "End of the Spear "and is sure to inspire the next generation of servant believers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elisabeth Elliot (born 1926) is a Christian author and evangelist. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Huaroni of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband. Returning to the United States after many years in South America, she became widely known as the author of over twenty books and as a speaker in constant demand.

From AudioFile

In 1955 a group of missionaries entered a jungle in Ecuador to bring Christianity to a hostile and primitive tribe. Attempting to quell their distrust, they showered the natives with gifts and built an airstrip before being massacred by them. Written by the wife of one of these men, the story will be gripping for believers in such initiatives. Others may be overcome by the melodrama and the Jesus-as-Lord tone that explains the nobility but not the naïveté of the mission's intentions. The talented Marguerite Gavin narrates with erudite smugness. She also forces the pathos during some of the more poignant moments but probably not enough to bother listeners who are uplifted by the story. T.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 277 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Pub (February 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598564692
• ISBN-13: 978-1598564693
• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 5.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brimming with Enthusiasm, Inspirational and Poignant July 19, 2003

By Clare Chu TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Elisabeth Elliot masterfully journals the account of the 5 young missionaries enthusiastic outreach for Indian tribes in Ecuador, starting with their calling and arrival in Ecuador, working with the Quichas and some more accessible tribes and drawn to the bringing of the Gospel to the Auca, a tribe feared by all of their neighbors as lurking killers whose custom is to spy and ambush all outsiders. The men, with hearts burdened for the Auca, sought to befriend them and give them the Gospel. The account leaves no doubt that these men and their wives were led by the Lord and even though the outcome was not what was hoped for, Mrs. Elliott's book is inspirational in the enthusiasm that these dedicated servants of the Lord went about to reach the Auca, as well as the widows' total reliance on their relationship with Jesus Christ after the men were killed to continue in their ministries to serve and bring the Gospel to the Ecuadorian Indians.

Highly recommended for home-schoolers, teenagers and today's youth in need of heroes.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable testimony of faith and courage . August 26, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I read this book twenty years ago when I lived in Ecuador for a short time. I attended a wonderful non-denominational church in Quito and one evening after the service a woman next to me introduced herself to me and we had a wonderful chat after church. Her name was Rachael Saint and she was the sister of Nate Saint. Needless to say I was honored to meet this woman dedicated not only to Christ but also committed to continuing the spreading of Chrisitanity to the Amazon Indians. Within a few days I got my hands on Elizabeth Elliot's book and could not put it down until I was done. It is a compelling account of these five missionaries and their dedication to spreading the gospel to the Amazon Indians. For the last few years I have been trying to find the title of this book and going through old correspondance was elated to find a reference noted "Through the Gates of Splendor". I plan to not only read this again but share with my high school bible class I teach and to also read the book "Jungle Pilot". I strongly encourage everyone to read this book. I think all readers will appreciate not only the courage these young men possessed but their devotion to the Lord and those they chose to bring to Christianiy. It might interest readers of this book that I was told by many, at our church in Quito, that Rachael Saint was one of the few white women that the Amazon tribes would allow into the jungles in the 60's and 70's. I can only assume that she was as committed to spreading the Gospel as her exceptional brother.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable November 15, 2003

By Vikke L. Harper

Format:Unknown Binding

I first read this book when I was just fourteen. I was so touched by these families' total devotion to their missionary work, and their sense of purpose. The stoicism the widows displayed after the tragedy was a life lesson for all of us who have suffered the loss of so vital a loved one. I recalled the book recently (on my beloved mothers' death, and reread it, 37 years after I originally read it, and it again warmed my heart to the beautiful human spirit.