Elizabeth Elliot has long been one of my heroes. I have read many books by her & about her. Growing up as an MK, I was able to relate well to her, even though our experiences were different & you don't have to have been a missionary to get something out of her story.

This book is very unique & had a lot of new information about Elizabeth that I hadn't read before. I really enjoyed the book & have purchased a hard copy so I can continue to enjoy it & share it. I have also given the book as a gift.

The author did meticulous research & is authoritative & did a fantastic job writing the book. I highly recommend this book. It made me grow as a person & long to better myself.

Thank you to Netgalley & the Publisher for this ARC. ll opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Being Elisabeth Elliot in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn is comprehensive, eye-opening, and inspiring. I can’t image the work that goes into writing a biography such as this, and it takes an incredible amount of talent to write in such a way that the book is enjoyable! Kudos to the author! I learned so much about Elliot and her life after returning to the States from the mission field. I loved all of the quotes from her journals throughout.

This is a great addition to Becoming Elisabeth Elliot. This missionary has had a huge impact on my spiritual life, and I'm so thankful that we still get to learn from her example. Once again, Ellen Vaughn carefully painted Elisabeth's highs and lows. This book made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Thank you for the privilege to review this absolute gem!

I wasn’t sure I would like a 2-part biography, but I loved the 1st book and couldn’t wait to read the 2nd. It’s not an easy story to read (not because of how it’s written), but because she suffered so much hardship and tragedy. Her faithfulness is encouraging.

In this sequel to Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, Vaughn traces the later years of Elliot's life after the death of her husband Jim. She was a single mom to her daughter Valerie, remarried and lost her second husband to cancer, and remarried again. Vaughn does not sugar coat Elliot's story, but tells it like it is.

I have been looking forward to this release since reading the first half of Elisabeth’s story. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot chronicles Elisabeth’s childhood, education, courtship, and short marriage to Jim Elliot, and years as a missionary in Ecuador. Being Elisabeth Elliot picks up where her story left off, as she returns home from the mission field to begin life as a writer and homemaker.

I was admittedly less familiar with this portion of Elisabeth’s life. Some of the twists in her story were shocking, heart-wrenching, and couldn’t be neatly tied up with a bow. I thought Ellen Vaughn masterfully handled Elisabeth’s story with care, showing both the triumphs and trials of a hero in the Christian faith.

Elisabeth Elliot is a well-known missionary, speaker, and author. While I was growing up, she was held as an example of the premiere Christian woman. Elisabeth's reputation was seen as one to emulate and strive for. So when I heard that "Being Elisabeth Elliot" gives a glimpse into the less-than-stellar parts of Elliot's life, I was intrigued. This biography is concentrated on Elisabeth's later years, as opposed to most biographies that are only about her years being married to Jim Elliott and working with the Waodani tribe. It was very intriguing to read about her second and third marriages and to learn about some of the mistakes she made in her relationships. While she did a lot of good in her ministries, she also made many mistakes.

I appreciated the author's desire to stick close to the truth rather than glossing over the more difficult parts of Elliot's life. I also thought the author did a fantastic job explaining why she was interested in Elliot's story as well. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Though most everyone in Christendom has heard of Elisabeth Elliot, I am probably one of many who 'knew' her only superficially. This biography, much of which is taken directly from Elisabeth's journals, paints a multi-layered picture of a woman of great faith and strength, but also one full of doubts and conflicts. Her over-arching desire was to live in honest obedience to the Lord; and to communicate honestly, speaking the truth in love, to her hearers and readers. Elisabeth understood the dishonesty of trying to be likeable for its own sake. There is much that believers can learn from her life well lived, and much to commend this well-written biography.

"Being Elisabeth Elliot" by Ellen Vaughn offers an intimate and profound glimpse into the life of one of the most influential Christian women of the 20th century. Through a combination of biography and personal reflection, Vaughn paints a vivid portrait of Elisabeth Elliot, a woman who lived a life of extraordinary faith and dedication. The book's central thesis is the exploration of Elliot's transformative journey, her commitment to serving God, and her profound impact on generations of Christians.

One of the most compelling takeaways from this book is the depth of Elisabeth Elliot's faith and her unwavering commitment to living out her beliefs. Vaughn's meticulous research and interviews with Elliot's family and friends provide readers with a deeper understanding of the woman behind the books. We learn about her remarkable missions work in Ecuador, her resilience in the face of tragedy, and her unshakable devotion to God. "Being Elisabeth Elliot" offers readers an opportunity to witness a life fully lived in the service of faith, demonstrating how one woman's unwavering commitment to her beliefs can inspire and transform the lives of countless others.

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration from a life of faith and service. It's especially valuable for those who have been touched by Elisabeth Elliot's writings or teachings, offering a more profound understanding of the woman behind the words. Ellen Vaughn's engaging storytelling and deep insights make this book a compelling and heartwarming read, suitable for both long-time admirers of Elisabeth Elliot and those new to her work. "Being Elisabeth Elliot" is a testament to the enduring power of faith, love, and sacrifice, and it will undoubtedly encourage and inspire readers to live out their own beliefs more fully and faithfully. In essence, it's a beautifully crafted tribute to a remarkable woman and her extraordinary impact on the world.

I am a big fan of Elisabeth Elliot. What an amazing biography! I loved learning more about her life. Christian biographies spur me on to run my race well.

If you prefer to keep Elisabeth Elliot (EE) on a pedestal, do not read this book! You will find that EE was not as angelic as you might have thought and that her personal life was far from perfect. In fact, I was very surprised by some of the things I read here about EE. But, far from being discouraged, I found myself being even more thankful for the grace of God, seeing how he can use even the imperfect to influence so many lives for the better.

To write this second (and last?) book in the series, the author gleaned heavily from the journals, letters and other primary sources that EE herself penned. What you read is therefore no made up story or conjectures. Though we get a lot, we are still told that some of her journal entries were removed, especially by her third and last husband..

I found myself enjoying the second half of the book more than the first. The second half being more about her personal relationships. Worth a read for sure.

4 stars. Enjoyed the first one a lot more. This one was hard to read in some places.

Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn is Volume 2 of the story of Elisabeth’s life, picking up the narrative after her return to the United States as a single parent and celebrated author. This is no tidy story, but rather an account characterized by paradox, a portrayal of a pilgrim who knew that she was not only “beset by nature” but also “cherished by grace”** throughout her long life.

Elliot found her freedom in “submission to the truth,” and, while prevailing disillusionment with purity culture has impacted the way millennials and Gen Zs respond to Elisabeth’s teaching on dating relationships and marriage, her teaching on spiritual disciplines is timeless. She spent her career chiseling a solid theology from the bedrock of God’s character as revealed in the pages of Scripture, a foundation that is undoubtedly the reason she ultimately found grace to face the terror of dementia with a quiet heart.

Vaughn has done her research well, giving the reader access to information from Elisabeth’s private journals and letters. With the motive of telling the truth in love, she has created a portrayal of a real human being, a warm-hearted disciple of Jesus Christ, who did many things right, but also managed to get some things wrong along the way—just like you and me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to B&H Publishing for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.

What. A. Ride! Several years ago, I was privileged to read Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, and as soon as I finished that book, I knew I wanted to keep my eyes open for the sequel to come out. The sequel—Being Elisabeth Elliot—was well worth the wait! In my opinion, this book is just as good as its prequel—if not better. It carries a much different tone, but I loved the way it honestly (and lovingly) portrayed Elisabeth Elliot—a passionate, somewhat sensitive soul, someone who was very human, but at the same time someone who loved and served the Lord to the best of her abilities.

I don’t agree with all of the decisions Elisabeth made along the way, but one of the things I loved the most about this book was how relatable she was. Though our life experiences may be vastly different, I saw myself in many of her words and actions, and that made this not only just an interesting read, but it gave me pause to examine myself. That, in turn, drew me closer to Jesus as I processed different things…it was good. Really good.

One thing I was amazed by throughout the book was the depth of Elisabeth’s thoughts and the way she was able to convey that on paper. I admit that sometimes she used words I wasn’t familiar with (and I thought I had a fairly varied vocabulary—ha!), but it’s refreshing to come across stories of people who lived their lives deeply, intensely, and passionately. It’s also refreshing to see people that are willing to stick their necks out, even when they know they’ll likely face backlash.

If you are wanting to learn more about this well-known Christian, I’d recommend you read both books in this duology. They’re excellent, and I think I can just about guarantee that you’ll come away blessed and encouraged by the read. I certainly was, and I’d love to get these books in print someday. I’m also planning on keeping an eye out for other Ellen Vaughn books—her writing style is easy to follow, engaging, and thought-provoking in itself. Though these books are biographies, they are not dry, factual relating of facts—the books live and breathe. I also appreciated the depth of quotations and other research that went into these books. In all, I greatly enjoyed this read, and highly recommend Being Elisabeth Elliot!

(Note: This book does contain some adult content, mostly as related through Elisabeth’s journals. If you’re familiar with her writing, you will know her candid writing style.)

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

I am a big fan of Elisabeth Elliot. What an amazing biography! I loved learning more about her life. Christian biographies spur me on to run my race well.

First sentence: "I feel perfectly certain that I shall never marry again," Elisabeth Elliot declared early in 1956. It had been nine days since her muscular young husband and his four fellow missionaries had been speared to death by members of a remote tribal people in the Amazon jungle.

This is the second volume of Ellen Vaughn's biography of Elisabeth Elliot. It is an authorized biography. Both volumes are authorized. She was granted access to materials that other biographers haven't been able to access--exclusive access. While other biographers have had access to some of her letters and published excerpts from her journals, Ellen Vaughn was granted access to LOTS of her journals.

There is no "one" Elisabeth Elliot--her spiritual and theological growth was ever-changing and ever-evolving. And the Elisabeth Elliot of later years--particularly the last two or three decades of her life--radically differs from earlier decades. She was something of a radical in the 1960s and 1970s. Not anti-establishment necessarily, but anti-evangelical establishment. What some refer to today as "big Eva." It wasn't so much that she questioned God, just how the evangelical church liked to box him in and speak for him.

This volume focuses on Elliot's "later years" focusing primarily on the years 1956-1978 (or 1979?). Essentially the biography begins to wind things up when she marries her third husband. A little is said of this time. It was very productive in creating the Elisabeth Elliot legacy--many of her most iconic works were published at this time. (Though not the most iconic, perhaps). But her third marriage...was....well, it came at great sacrifice. For example, if someone tells you I want to FENCE YOU IN ON ALL SIDES AND PROTECT YOU, you should probably give serious thought to what exactly they mean. Because it might not be as swoon-worthy and romantic as you might think.

The writing style worked so well. This was a QUICK read. The chapters were manageable (unlike that other Elliot biography I reviewed this year.) Each chapter seemed to have a purpose, a point.

Some of the content did surprise me. I didn't necessarily want to read the lusty, sensual side of Elisabeth Elliot. But it is a way of making sense of her later years and the decisions she made.

Thank you B & H Books, via NetGalley, for a complimentary copy. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

If you know anything about Elisabeth Elliot you know she was determined. She was determined to be a missionary by following her husband into the jungles of Ecuador. She was determined to write books and fulfill speaking engagements. On a personal level she was determined to be a good wife and mother. Most importantly she was determined to follow Jesus. These are common understandings of who Elisabeth Elliot was, but there is much more than what was previously made public.

I admired Elisabeth Elliot before I read the book and I admire her even more now. I got lost in her struggles with everyday life and appreciated the snippets from Elisabeth's journal. My first reaction to her journal was to protest and say, "No! Don't share that." But the truth stands that the family authorized this biography. Elisabeth's goal was to honor the Lord and the author used her journals to accomplish that goal. She relates to us less- than -perfect women and gives us hope from the Word of God. She also gives a clear picture of how one can make wrong choices if not careful.

Refrain from going into this book with expectations or preconceived ideas. If you do it will likely result in a disappointing read. To better understand it, put aside what you think you know and see Elisabeth as she saw herself. We all have questions. We all deal with less than ideal situations. We all have unfulfilled desires of one kind or another and we all make mistakes. Why would Elisabeth's story be any different? From the first page to the last get to know Elisabeth Elliot and you may see a little of yourself. Let her story be told so that you may learn from her sorrows and rejoice in her joys.

I first heard about Elisabeth Elliot when I read a biography of Rachel Saint's life and watched End of the Spear. Her story was both heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. This book tells her story in a way that is raw and vulnerable while still pointing the way to God and glorifying Him. If you don't have any context for who she is, it is probably beneficial to read the one about her early life ('Becoming Elisabeth Elliot') first.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the complimentary ARC in return for my honest review.

Being Elisabeth Elliot is a startling conclusion to the life story of a woman whom many of us have long counted as one of our heroes.

The first volume by Ellen Vaughn, Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, was gripping and even compelling. But there wasn't a lot that surprised or shocked me—other than the extent of the challenges of the relationship between Rachel Saint and Elisabeth—because I'd read Elisabeth's books Through Gates of Splendor and The Savage, My Kinsman, as well as The Journals of Jim Elliot and her daughter Valerie's book Devotedly.

However, Being Elisabeth Elliot had some plot twists and character flaws I didn't see coming.

There's always the potential to be walking into a field of landmines when you read the biography of someone whom you have revered and respected. After all, we don't have to look any further than the Old Testament to see that even a man after God's own heart has many mistakes and bad decisions in his past!

But as I processed the revelations in Being Elisabeth Elliot (spoiler alert: primarily Elisabeth's interactions with men, the origins of her relationship with Addison, and the darker side of Lars and their marriage), I found myself wishing we'd heard more of these details in her own books and radio talks. What if she'd shared with us about some of her own temptations when she spoke of passion and purity? What if she would have told us of some red flags to watch out for as we measured the mark of a man? She truly spoke wisdom gained from experience—but I wish she had felt free to share a bit more of the context at times.

As the authorized biography, Being Elisabeth Elliot draws extensively from journals in private collections that other biographers have not had access to. I couldn't help but wonder if the journal entries might tend to present the more extreme heights and depths of emotion, as the private place Elisabeth put thoughts and feelings she didn't share with others. Thus, this biography might need to be read along with others to get a more complete picture of the life of Elisabeth Elliot.

One thing I found very interesting was how much commentary—historical and philosophical, as well as personal—Vaughn added to the story. This did help provide cultural and historical context. And the background as it related to missions (particularly in Becoming) showed how much Elisabeth was a product of her times—and yet how much she bucked the traditional evangelical norms of the day.

Vaughn is indisputably a brilliant writer. It was somewhat surprising to have so much of the author's story in the biography. And yet, it perhaps lent insight into why the author highlighted what she did about Elisabeth's life.

Being Elisabeth Elliot really seemed to end when Elisabeth married Lars in 1977. There's only one more chapter in the book—plus an epilogue—that takes the reader to the end of Elisabeth's life in 2015. Her extensive speaking and radio ministry of the eighties and nineties gets only passing mention, a seeming oversight in light of how much of an impact it had on me and so many others. This could be due in part to the fact that many of her journals from her third marriage were destroyed. But I almost feel like a third volume could be written about that time, especially considering the extent of the chapters spent on Elisabeth's brief marriage to Addison.

Am I glad I read Being Elisabeth Elliot? Yes. Would I recommend it to everyone? Most definitely not. If Devotedly was too much for you, then by all means, don't read Being. If you prefer to keep your heroes on a pedestal, then don't read Devotedly—or Vaughn's biographies.

But if Elisabeth Elliot has long been a mentor to you, and you want to know more of what made her the woman she was, consider reading Becoming and Being (along with Devotedly). Next on my TBR is Elisabeth Elliot: A Life, by Lucy S. R. Austen, as I feel it will be beneficial to balance Vaughn's books with another biographer's take.

INFORMATIVE!

Like many others, the writing and speaking ministry of Elisabeth Elliot has made a significant impact on my life. When Ellen Vaughn wrote her masterful biography, “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot,” I learned much about what made Elisabeth who she was. I highly recommend it as a precursor to reading this second book.

I have been anticipating Vaughn’s “Being Elisabeth Elliot: The Authorized Biography: Elisabeth’s Later Years” and, again, have learned a great deal. Vaughn has based her book on Elisabeth’s many Journals and other personal writings and correspondence. In her first book, Vaughn portrays Elisabeth as a woman who is confident in her Lord and steadfastly doing His will. In this book, Vaughn allows Elisabeth’s Journals to speak for themselves and shows her continued confidence in her Lord. Still, she also admits to vulnerabilities, fragilities, lack of self-confidence, and her longing to write a fictional novel with a profound spiritual message that would reach the avant-garde and other deep thinkers of the day. Elisabeth knew what it meant to suffer as she buried two husbands she loved dearly after being married to each of them for only a short time. The discussion of her third marriage was illuminating in various ways, both bad and good. It was a difficult marriage, but during that time is when she wrote the majority of her books, as well as when her beloved Gateway to Joy Radio Series came about. I did not think Book Two read as smoothly as Book One. Initially, I found it slow, but as I got further into it, it became easier to read. I felt like the ending was abrupt. Perhaps that came from writing from Journals. Overall this was an excellently researched book!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by B&H Books & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

I have wanted to read "Being Elisabeth Elliot" since I first heard of its existence. I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to read it. The book definitely did not disappoint! It was worth the wait. I love how Vaughn approaches sharing all about E.E. It isn't just the pretty things, but she shows you everything - which makes it the best kind of biography.