Gladys Aylward by Gladys Aylward Summary
Overview of Gladys Aylward
Rejected by missionary societies at 36, Gladys Aylward journeyed alone to China, saved 100 orphans during wartime, and inspired the Hollywood film "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" - though she famously despised its fictional elements. Her extraordinary faith transformed countless lives.
Similar books to Gladys Aylward
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
When God Calls the Unqualified
A young British woman with barely any education stood before a prestigious missionary society, hoping they'd send her to China. They rejected her outright-no qualifications, too old at twenty-eight, unlikely to master Chinese. Most people would have accepted defeat. But Gladys Aylward wasn't most people. With ninepence in her pocket (roughly the cost of a cheap sandwich today), she bought a one-way train ticket across Europe, through war-torn Russia, into the unknown. What possesses someone to risk everything on what seems like foolishness? Her story reveals a truth we've forgotten: the most unlikely people often accomplish the most extraordinary things when they stop waiting for permission and start moving forward in faith. Gladys wasn't seeking adventure or fame. She'd wanted to be an actress, working as a parlormaid while taking evening drama classes. After a profound spiritual awakening, she felt an unmistakable pull toward China's millions who'd never heard of Christ. When every door slammed shut, she remembered Abraham and Moses-ordinary people called to impossible tasks. She saved every penny from her parlormaid wages until she had enough for the railway fare. On October 15, 1932, she left everything familiar behind, carrying only her Bible, a devotional book, and a faith that seemed absurd to everyone watching.
Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain
The Mule Inn and the Mandarin's Decree
Ninepence and the Unwanted Children
War, Revival, and the General's Conversion
The Hundred Children's Impossible Journey
The Legacy of the Small Woman with a Great God
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Gladys Aylward Summary in 10 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Gladys Aylward into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 9 Insights from Gladys Aylward in a Nutshell
Distill Gladys Aylward into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Gladys Aylward Lessons Told Through 22-Min Stories
Experience Gladys Aylward through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Gladys Aylward Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Gladys Aylward summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.