THE SMALL WOMAN is the true story of Gladys Aylward, the parlourmaid who overcame all obstacles to become a missionary in China. Her deep faith and indomitable courage sustained her through twenty years of missionary work. Then the Japanese came to bomb and kill. In her finest hour she led a hundred homeless children on a twelve day march over the mountains to the Yellow River and safety.

This extraordinary account of her remarkable life has been published in many languages and filmed as The Inn of the Sixth Happiness with Ingrid Bergman.

It remains one of the great chronicles of our century. The inspiring story of a truly inspiring woman..

Sending to tabby-cat-owner from Phoenix, Arizona ... a selection from the Nonfiction VBB. Enjoy!

I selected this book from the nonfiction vbb organized by booklady331. Thank you, perryfran, for donating this book to the vbb and for sending it to me. It looks quite interesting.

Loved loved loved this book. Gladys Aylward is my hero. What a brave and wonderful life she led. It is full of interest and suspense.

This book has been mailed off as part of the ABC Bookring (S books).

I chose this from the bookring. Sounds different.

I'm not sure why my reaction to this book was less enthusiastic than others before me. Maybe because I find the whole religious missionary pursuit to be so arrogant and that came through several times in Gladys' story and personality. The insights into what it was like to be in China during that time was interesting. I know very little about the Japanese occupation of China. But for her to be so stubborn in the midst of a war because she was there to spread Jesus' message was just arrogance and self-righteousness to me.

Gladys Aylward was not arrogant. She did not esteem herself better or more important than others. She loved God and knew that only God is righteous. To be brave in the face of danger and adversity requires stubbornness. Jesus said, “No greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” She was brave, devoted, selfless and loving. She loved God and because of that loved others. Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me.”

Releasing

Left on the anniversary bench outside. Enjoy!