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Through Gates of Splendor  By  cover art

Through Gates of Splendor

By: Elisabeth Elliot
Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
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Publisher's summary

The unforgettable true story of five men who braved Auca lances. This edition includes a follow-up chapter that will give listenerss a unique perspective. Five men entered the jungle in search of a savage tribe . . . and never returned.

In January 1956, a tragic story flooded headlines around the world. Five men, spurred by a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ, ventured deep into the jungles of Ecuador. Their goal: to make contact with an isolated tribe whose previous response to the outside world had been to attack all strangers.

Through Gates of Splendor, the story of Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Jim Elliot, was first recorded in 1956 by Jim's widow, Elisabeth. Decades later, its story of unconditional love and complete obedience to God still inspires new readers. This edition contains subsequent developments in the lives of the families and the Waodani tribe.

©1981 Elisabeth Elliot (P)2008 christianaudio.com

What listeners say about Through Gates of Splendor

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling and Authentic

I first read this book nearly 30 years ago as a High School student, it challenged me and changed my life. Through Gates of Splendor introduced me to the idea that vision, preparation, and sacrifice, anchored in a profound love for God can in fact change the world. I am still blown away by the honesty of Elizabeth Elliot's writing. She so vividly portrays the youthful zeal and ultimate hopefulness of these men right up to the unimaginable moment of their death. Their passion to reach the lost in the jungles of Ecuador 50 years ago still serves as profound inspiration for Christians today. The Christian community now faces the challenge of reaching multitudes locked behind a religious veil who have never heard of the great love Jesus demontrated on the cross. It will take a new generation willing to prepare and sacrifice to reach them. Thankfully we have this example of authentic faith to provoke us in prayer and action. It was a true pleasure to hear the words of this compelling story so wonderfully narrated by Marguerite Gavin.

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23 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Narrator takes away from the story

I'm SOOO SAD about the narrator. The story is incredible. It's so distracting 😞 to listen to the narrator and really takes away from the story.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, but...

This story is so impactful and thought-provoking, but the Marguerite Gavin's voice is the audio book equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. It really took away from the enjoyment of listening to the story because the various voices she did were so frustratingly annoying. I wish they had someone else to portray such an amazing story and do it justice.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read--true devotion

Elisabeth tells this story so well. I happen to find Marguerite's voice less than pleasing, but she reads well and after a bit I no longer noticed the voice as the story caught me.

This was an awesome story which brought tears to my eyes at many points. I especially enjoyed Elisabeth's thoughts in the first and second epilogues.
What commitment and trust all these folks have! They have had tremendous impact on an entire generation of this world.

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5 people found this helpful

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Exceptional Story/Account

This is one of my most prized possessions. I pray that millions more will read it and come to know the why and how of the reason for these men's life and death. Moreover, I pray that many, many more will come to know my LORD, and Savior Jesus Christ. Many thanks to those who made this possible.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing story

narrator was a bit interesting, and the story is so challenging and will grow your faith.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wait for it!

Like life, it is not a partucular event but the journey and our response that is crucial. Elizabeth provides a personal yet objective telling using diaries and records from those involved. The reader carefully closes with the participants who's lives are being intentionally lived. The prologs are epic and place the these and so many events in amazing perspective. Submit to God and know He is our Lord, Savior and ultimately carrying out His will his His glory.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Storis are sometimes more wonderful when true.

If you could sum up Through Gates of Splendor in three words, what would they be?

Powerful, pure, passionate.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Through Gates of Splendor?

The vivid word pictures used to pain the jungle landscape were always breathtaking. Also, action scenes of landing the plane on a wing and a prayer were great too.

Have you listened to any of Marguerite Gavin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. She isn't my favorite. Something about her voice grates on my nerves. But she did an ok job and I'd listen to it again.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous Story.... Meh Narrator

This story is one filled with passion and fire of individuals that are filled with a burning need to follow their Calling. The narrator read the story as tho it were a news report at 5:00. If you can get past the hum drum voice, you will be reward and inspired.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great insight into an epic story

What did you like best about this story?

Insight into each missionary's past and their hopes and fears are all spelled out. No romanticizing here.

What does Marguerite Gavin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her tendency to sound like an automaton when she was reading the men's diary excerpts was offputting. I was always thrown off by the "I'll now sound like a matter of fact man's thoughts".

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I appreciate Elliot's second epilogue where she says it's not really cut and dried regarding the whys and wherefores of what happened-- the truth was that some good things came of it and some bad things came of it. God's word and salvation brought, but also diseases introduced, etc.
Amazing that she can live with God's truth and know that she'll need to learn from Him why He led them the way that He did.

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2 people found this helpful