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The Hiding Place

by Corrie ten Boom, Elizabeth Sherrill (Contributor), John Sherrill (Contributor)

4.42 of 5 stars 4.42 · rating details · 82,955 ratings · 4,926 reviews

Corrie ten Boom was a woman admired the world over for her courage, her forgiveness, and her memorable faith. In World War II, she and her family risked their lives to help Jews escape the Nazis, and their reward was a trip to Hitler's concentration camps. But she survived and was released--as a result of a clerical error--and now shares the story of how faith triumphs ove...more

Paperback, 35th Anniversary Edition, 271 pages

Published 2006 by Chosen Books (first published 1971)

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May 29, 2008 Abigail rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Readers Interested in Holocaust Memoirs

Shelves: biography-memoir, holocaust-studies, religion

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Apr 17, 2008 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

By far one of the best and most inspirational books I've ever read. I've underlined so many parts of this book! I first read this with my first book club almost 10 years ago and read it back in October with my current book club -- still find it absolutely amazing and one I want to read and re-read.

One of my favorite themes of the book is stated by the author on page 31: "the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will gi...more By far one of the best and most inspirational books I've ever read. I've underlined so many parts of this book! I first read this with my first book club almost 10 years ago and read it back in October with my current book club -- still find it absolutely amazing and one I want to read and re-read.

One of my favorite themes of the book is stated by the author on page 31: "the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do." Goes along with my belief that all things will work together for our good. Not that only good things will happen to us, but that all things will work for our good. Even when our Father takes us, not to "the windmill ... or swans on the canal" but somewhere where we don't want to go and we howl and struggle all the way (p. 40). We can trust in Him that all things will work together for our good. Another favorite part is in the example of Betsie, the author's sister, who gives thanks in all circumstances, even for the fleas (p. 210). Several pages later, the author explains how even the fleas worked together for their good (p.220). Even when we may not always have the "whys", we can trust in Him that our experiences are for our good.

I found it amazing when Nollie is asked by if Annaliese is a Jew and she responds, "yes." Nollie's perfect honesty requires that she answer "yes" even when it may mean death for someone who has trusted them! Nollie has perfect faith that no suffering will come to Annaliese because Nollie obeyed Him in being honest in all things. Miraculously and sure enough, Annaliese is set free.

As a mother, I have always wondered how the Jewish people hid their children (crying babies etc.) from the Nazis when they were in hiding. I found it poignant and sad when the author noted that "even the youngest had developed the uncanny silence of small hunted things" (p. 114).

Above all, I love this book for its reminder to me of the eternal perspective. How true that He can give us His perspective when we feel trapped in the reality of filthy and cramped barracks, His way of seeing people who we cannot understand, His forgiveness for those who have hurt us, His love for those we think we cannot love, and His strength to replace our weaknesses. Which leads me to a final favorite quote and life-lesson I've learned: "When He tells us to love our enemies [or any other thing He has asked us to do], He gives, along with the command the love itself" (p. 248). (less)

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May 25, 2008 Werner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Any reader interested in the Holocaust, or in Christianity

Shelves: history-biography

When I was adding every book I could remember ever reading to my Goodreads shelves, I automatically slapped three-star ratings on all the nonfiction books (unless I'd disliked them, or they were specially influential for me) without thinking much about it; I'm more apt to reserve four or five star ratings for fiction --and I'm miserly with the five star ones! But this was a case where, when I sat down to do the review, I decided to change the rating. Corrie's personal narrative of her World War...more

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Sep 17, 2007 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone over age 15

I qualified the recommendation based on age because there are some difficult situations I think, for younger people. I have read many, many holocaust books, and this is by far my favorite. I wept and wept, not just for the suffering she endured, but mostly for the way in which she and her sister Betsie faced their suffering with such faith. For how they looked for opportunities to be selfless in a concentration camp, and how the women there were changed just by their example. I wept at my utter...more

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Nov 17, 2008 Meg rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Every human being should be required to read this book. I guarantee it will change forever the way you look at life.

The memoir is a true account of Corrie Ten Boom's experiences in German-occupied Holland during WWII (and afterward in prisons and concentration camps). The most amazing thing to me is that she was not Jewish. She was a Dutch Christian who freely sacrificed her own life, and the lives of those she loved most, to fight against cruelty and hate. I read the book aloud to my husband,...more

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Apr 18, 2008 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Hiding Place is one of my favorite books.

Corrie ten Boom was 48 years old when Hitler invaded her hometown in Holland. She had spent her life caring for the family home and working in her father’s watch shop. But at 50 years of age, she became one of the leaders in the underground resistance in Holland. For 2 ½ years, she helped many Jews go into hiding. Not only did she risk her life for this mission, but she also lived her life for it.

She spent nearly a year imprisoned in the concentrati...more The Hiding Place is one of my favorite books.

Corrie ten Boom was 48 years old when Hitler invaded her hometown in Holland. She had spent her life caring for the family home and working in her father’s watch shop. But at 50 years of age, she became one of the leaders in the underground resistance in Holland. For 2 ½ years, she helped many Jews go into hiding. Not only did she risk her life for this mission, but she also lived her life for it.

She spent nearly a year imprisoned in the concentration camps. During that year, she ministered to the other prisoners and the Nazi officials trying to bring them peace and joy. After the war was finally over, she worked to catalyze the healing of both the victims and those who had joined the Nazis. She turned a former concentration camp into a bastion of healing. She traveled around the world teaching people how to forgive and be healed.

While lecturing in Germany, she came face to face with one of the guards from the concentration camp. He thanked her for her words and the healing they brought to his soul. As he reached out his hand to shake hers, she was put to the ultimate test. Could she practice what she preached? The anger and hurt swept through her and she despised him. But after she turned it over to God, she was able to touch his hand. And as they shook hands she found that “into [her] heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed [her]."

What made Corrie become great? It was 50 years of preparation—years of study, years of work, years of service. The Hiding Place is the story of her preparation. Corrie could never have led the resistance, survived the concentration camps, and gone on to become such an inspiration to so many without that vital preparation. She was led by the Voice of Conscience—first in her preparation and later in her life's mission.

When you finish reading The Hiding Place, make sure you pick up a copy of Tramp For the Lord. Tramp For the Lord continues Corrie's story after The Hiding Place. (less)

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Apr 14, 2008 Kelley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is...how do you say it? If not life-changing, it at least affects your vision, the way you see things, for ever! I was so moved by the sweetness of each story, the love of each family member, the courage of so many. It certainly brought perspective to my own life. I also admired Corrie for being able to recognize the good things she had in her life and for her abilty to express that in writing.

I have not read any other hollocaust books on purpose. I have a very sensitive spirit and I'...more

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Oct 13, 2007 Annalisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Annalisa by: Amy Scott

Shelves: memoir-biography, classics, favorites

If you have not read the book, it is the true account of a Dutch woman in her 50s who sets up an underground Jewish haven during the Nazi rule over Holland. I love reading about the Holocaust, but this was the first time I could sense such a chasm between a sweet, elderly, epitome-of-Christian woman and the cruel hatred of the Nazi camps.

Even before the war, the family's charity and service was inspiring. During the war, their optimism, stalwartness, and charity was amazing. Corrie would trust h...more If you have not read the book, it is the true account of a Dutch woman in her 50s who sets up an underground Jewish haven during the Nazi rule over Holland. I love reading about the Holocaust, but this was the first time I could sense such a chasm between a sweet, elderly, epitome-of-Christian woman and the cruel hatred of the Nazi camps.

Even before the war, the family's charity and service was inspiring. During the war, their optimism, stalwartness, and charity was amazing. Corrie would trust her instincts as being directed by God, and sure enough they were protected from harm around every corner. When they were finally discovered, her amazing sister not only was filled with nothing but sympathy for the Nazis' hatred, but looked at every evil as opportunity: the more crammed the camp became the more women they had to teach the gospel, the dirtier the conditions the less intrusion from the guards, etc. I like to think I am optimistic, but I have my breaking point and then I'm irritable. The true test of our character comes under stressful times and their willingness to search for service in the trenches of hatred was heart warming.

I have often wondered if I would risk my family's life to protect another, but I have never questioned whether or not I would lie. I would have lied to the Nazis and had no moral regrets about it. Connie's sister-in-law was so dedicated to honesty she told her children they would be rewarded for their honesty. And sure enough, when they told Nazi enquirers dangerous information, they were always protected. That made me question my own commitment to honesty.

The family experienced their share of sadness and loss, but even after the war, Connie opened her heart and home to those displaced by the war, including the Nazis. I am not a crier and yet as I reached the close of this book, I found my eyes watering, not out of sorrow, but out of sheer awe at the hand of God in their lives and the power of love in their hearts. That sounds so cheesy, but what an uplifting read.(less)

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Apr 19, 2008 Alisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who wants to be inspired

Shelves: favorite

This book was incredibly inspirational to me. The horrid things they went through because they did the right thing - and through it all they were able to express gratitude and find the good in their situation. They were able to bless so many people. This is truly a story about how faith triumphs over evil. At one point she and her sister talked about helping others after their release, and they say that there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. My other favorite part is after...more

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Apr 19, 2009 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone feeling down

Shelves: 999, biography, religion, history, wwii

Reading this book, I had to ask myself, what is it that makes some people so much stronger than others? And I think that love is the answer. I just finished reading Man's Search for Meaning, and taken with that one, I found myself so impressed by the strength and faith of these people. I was just so inspired.

I love to read Corrie Ten Boom. She makes me feel like I can do more, I can be better. Another thing I noticed about this book and about Viktor Frankl's is that neither one of them spent muc...more

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Oct 13, 2008 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone,all ages

Recommended to Angela by: my grandmother

Shelves: auto-bio-memoir, ww2-era

At the same time and in the same town that Anne Frank and her family were in hiding in the attic, Corrie Ten Boom and her family were hiding Jews and dying in a prison for their actions. In my opinion, Corrie ten Boom was possibly one of the most inspirational and wonderfully uplifting women who truly showed her Christian faith in the way of Jesus by sacrificing herself for "The Watches in the Closet". With humor and humility, Corrie tells of how she and her family joined the Dutch Resistance in...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Kelly Maybedog Hawkins rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: what-biography-or-memoir, what-non-fiction

What makes this particular book different from other (better) stories about the Holocaust is that it's from the perspective of a Christian woman who was interned. While it's extremely important for us not to forget that one group of people was specifically targeted (Jews) it's also important for us to realize that this horrible thing went beyond that. This horrible thing didn't just affect "them"/"those other people" (oh isn't that sad?, what's for dinner?") but it affected the whole world. But...more

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May 12, 2011 Tammy Walton Grant rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-as-a-kid, nonfiction

I'd forgotten all about this book until I saw an update on GR today.

My church sent a busload of us to see the movie when it came out in 1975. I was 8 or 9 I think and the appeal was more the day trip to the big city with my friends and without my parents. It was my first introduction to the Holocaust - it disturbed me, made me terribly sad and frightened all at the same time. Thinking back I was probably too young to have seen it (but what the heck, I saw "Jaws" that year too.)

I read the book a...more

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Aug 16, 2008 Shiralea Woodhouse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I read this book in collage and just now again for book club. I thought it was amazing before, and I still do! I had forgotten a lot of it, mostly what had stood out was the last part where she is at the concentration camp. But I was warmed and inspired by all the lessons Corrie learns and uses in the situations she finds herself in. I think that is the key...so many of us say, "I'm a Christian" and yet so often forget that to be so is to follow Him every day, in every circumstance. She was trul...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Those Interested in the Dutch Resistance or the Nazi Concentration Camps

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: biography, history, memoir, non-fiction, religion, spirituality, ultimate-reading-list

This is the story of Corrie ten Boom, a self-described "spinster" watchmaker who lived with her father and sister and was pushing fifty when she became part of the Dutch Resistance helping to hide Jews from the Nazis. Eventually betrayed, she wound up in a Gestapo prison for a few months, then doing forced labor in the Vught Concentration Camp, which harsh as it was, was paradisaical compared to where she next wound up until released, the notorious Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. This is her fir...more This is the story of Corrie ten Boom, a self-described "spinster" watchmaker who lived with her father and sister and was pushing fifty when she became part of the Dutch Resistance helping to hide Jews from the Nazis. Eventually betrayed, she wound up in a Gestapo prison for a few months, then doing forced labor in the Vught Concentration Camp, which harsh as it was, was paradisaical compared to where she next wound up until released, the notorious Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. This is her first person account, written decades after the fact with the help of John and Elizabeth Sherrill. It got off to what I found a slow start in the first four chapters which tells of the life of her and her family before World War II. I thought it picked up in pace a great deal in the later chapters once it began to tell of her involvement aiding Jews in the Underground, and from that moment I was completely engrossed--and indeed the story, particularly before they were betrayed to the Nazis, sometimes surprised me with its warmth and humor. Her father, for instance, never really understood why all the Resistance people were calling themselves "Smit" and kept asking whether they were related to this or that Smit family he knew.

I picked up the book because it was recommended on the Ultimate Reading List in the "Inspirational Non-fiction" section. For "inspirational" read "religious" and almost always "Christian" and I indeed found it in the "Christian Inspiration" section. Some reviews complained about the religiosity, but it really didn't bother me--and I'm an atheist with little patience when I feel I'm being preached at. Perhaps it's just that I took this in stride as part and parcel of Miss Ten Boom. That faith was just as much as the foundation of her thinking and deeds as Hinduism was for Ghandi or Buddhism for the Dalai Llama. There's nothing smug or self-righteous in her tone. Nor did she come across as "goodie two shoes" to me--she sometimes understandably struggled with anger and fear. She's human--although in my book still a hero. I even saw one review that called her a "bigot." That couldn't be further from the truth. The Ten Booms saved many Jews, hiding them in their own home at great risk to themselves, tried to serve them kosher food when they could, celebrated the Sabbath with them and Jewish holidays. I saw no sign of bigotry towards those of other beliefs. Having a strong faith that a person takes seriously in deciding how to act does not make one a bigot. Anyone who mistakes that for bigotry has their own issues with anti-Christian bigotry in my opinion.

On the other hand, I do agree with one reviewer that I suspect that her Christian faith did "sugar coat" things more than a little and probably colored her recollection. I don't think Ten Boom ever consciously shaded the truth, but especially given this was recounted almost thirty years later when Ten Boom was in her seventies, I do wonder if time put a gloss on memories such as the vitamin drop "miracle." Anne Frank's account of hiding in an Amsterdam annex from the Nazis came directly from her diaries written very close to events. Viktor E. Frankl's story of his experiences in four Concentration Camps including Auschwitz, Man's Search for Meaning, was written by him in nine days within months of his liberation. Elie Wiesel's story of his time in Auschwitz, Night was written in his twenties within a decade after his experiences there. The Hiding Place doesn't have the freshness and intensity of those accounts. Also, though it tells an extraordinary story, it's not always extraordinarily well-written when I compare it to the other books mentioned above. I read Frankl's account just before this book, and read Wiesel's book for the second time less than two months ago. Those are powerful accounts that deserve the name literature. This doesn't, which is why I haven't rated it nearly as highly as those other two books. But it's still a often gripping, at times moving book.(less)

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Feb 18, 2009 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Its not often that a book changes your life. This one will stay with me always. This is the story of an amazing woman and her family who helped hide Jews during the German occupation of Holland. Corrie and her family were eventually arrested and imprisoned. While she was in the camps, she recalls all the small and large miracles of the way God made Himself present. Corrie's father and sister, Betsie, died in the camps, but she was released and went on to devote her life to making real the vision...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, history-ww-ii, religion, letters-diaries-memoirs, history-netherlands-and-beligum, lit-misc-europe

It would be fair to say that the most famous story of the Holocaust is the story of Anne Frank. Yet, in many ways, we are taught the incomplete story of the Frank family and thier hiding mates. While we know in great detail about the risk that the Frank helpers took by hiding and protecting their friends, the helpers seem to get short shift. While everyone knows of Miep, not that she seemed to have wanted it, many forget that Victor Kugler (Mr. Kraler in the diary) and Johannes Kleiman (Mr. Koop...more It would be fair to say that the most famous story of the Holocaust is the story of Anne Frank. Yet, in many ways, we are taught the incomplete story of the Frank family and thier hiding mates. While we know in great detail about the risk that the Frank helpers took by hiding and protecting their friends, the helpers seem to get short shift. While everyone knows of Miep, not that she seemed to have wanted it, many forget that Victor Kugler (Mr. Kraler in the diary) and Johannes Kleiman (Mr. Koophuis) were imprisoned for aiding the Franks. Mr. Kleiman was released after about six weeks, and Mr. Kugler was transfered a few times, actually escaped and went into hiding. While neither was at a conceration camp, Nazi prison camps were not nice places, and Mr. Kraler was actually housed with prisioners who had been given the death sentence. The risk and scarifcie that helpers and rescusers took to help thier friends or complete strangers should be remembered regardless of the age, sex, or beauty of said helper. This is difficult because it seems that many people, regardless of the country France, the Netherlands, Germany, helped because it was the right thing to do, and do not want to be overertly singled out. The stories, however, are important and should be known. Anne Frank should be taught in such away that students know the before and after as well as the diary, that they know the truth about the denist, for instance.

The Hiding Place is about another Dutch family during the Holocaust. Unlike most stores set in wartime Netherlands, regardless of being fact or fiction, it takes place in the town of Haarleem. I've been there. It was a very cold and wet day. I want to go back so I can see Corrie's house, the Beje. The fact that the story takes place outside of Amsterdam or Rotterdam (which was violently bombed by the Germans) is good because not only does it present the rescuers but another city's experience as well.

The ten Boom family at the time of WW II consisted of Corrie, her two older sisters (Betsie and Nollie), her older brother Willim, her father Casper and the various child of Nollie and Wilhelm. While the reader gets an idea of what the ten Boom family was like prior to the outbreak of WW II (there is a particularlly chilling story about a worker from Germany), the book of the bulk concerns thier experience, in particular Corrie who was interviewed, during the war. Corrie and her father were clock and watch repairers, Betsie took care of thier house, Nollie and her husband were teachers, and Willim was a preacher in the Dutch Reformed Church then later he ran, with his wife Tine (a nurse) a nursing home. As a whole, the family was deeply religious.

The whole family was also involed with the Dutch resistance, passing messages, obtaining food coupons, and hiding people. Corrie, Betsie, and her father seemed to have almost stumbled into it, for a lack of a better word. They did it because helping people was the right thing to do.

And they paid for it. Eventually the whole family was arrested, some members were arrested twice, and Corrie and her sister Betsie were the last to be released. The second part of the book is focused on Corrie's experiences during her imprisonment, including her struggle with faith, which seems to be a selling point for this book. Actually, it is a bit refreshing because Corrie is by no means a saintly Christian and she doesn't try to make herself one.

Part chroncile of war time experience, part struggle with faith, this book is worth reading.(less)

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May 20, 2008 Jeanene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone and everyone

Recommended to Jeanene by: my mother

This is a very inspiring true story. It is about the evolution of spiritual strength, faith, and endurance. It is about looking for God's tender mercies towards His children in the midst of unspeakable horror. I learned to count my blessings reading this book.

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Dec 27, 2012 Ann237 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have been interested in stories of the Holocaust since I was in High school and I read a book called, "Man in search of Meaning". I of course knew of the Holocaust, and the concentration camps. But until then I guess it never really HIT HOME, the hell these thousands and thousands of people had gone tthrough,I could not and still cannot understand or phantom that kind of evil,except as a believer in God when you have such almighty LOVE, it is only right to believe there will also be the same a...more I have been interested in stories of the Holocaust since I was in High school and I read a book called, "Man in search of Meaning". I of course knew of the Holocaust, and the concentration camps. But until then I guess it never really HIT HOME, the hell these thousands and thousands of people had gone tthrough,I could not and still cannot understand or phantom that kind of evil,except as a believer in God when you have such almighty LOVE, it is only right to believe there will also be the same amount of HATE. The Hiding Place, was another eye opener that is for sure. The questions you ask yourself, would I risk going through all that they were doing to others, to try and shelter and protect another? How many of us are willing to go that far for anyone including complete strangers? Well that's what Corrie and Betsie's family did. Being caught, then some released some political prisoners But the biggest question is, here you are in the worst situation ever, surrounded by sickness,bugs that crawl and burrow on and through your skin, no showers, wearing the same clothes day in day out, covered in all sorts of filth,you are starved,beaten by guards,stripped of all your dignity, and the stench of the burning flesh of those that no longer deal with the torturer, and make some think they would be better off that way as well. OR would you be like the 2 sisters who, turning all your faith, and and all the HELL over to A GOD, A GOD that others have long ago stopped believing in, if GOD is LOVE how could he allow this? The faith of many beaten away, or taken away as they watched loved ones Die, or be dragged away never to return. Hard to keep Faith seeing all this, and never seeing this GOD. The sisters suffered much, prayed even more,suffered more,prayed more. Then Betsie died there on December 16, 1944. Before she died, she told Corrie, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still." Great faith in the face of darkness! The book for me was a lot of questions on MY FAITH, and how would I of held up? I do pray everyday, that I would always stand on the side of God and keep the faith, for I have seen all that he has done, but as Jesus did for us, how many would be willing to do the same for HIM?(less)

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Feb 04, 2009 Alli Elggren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow! I can't believe I hadn't read this amazing book until now. It was our Feb. 2009 Book Club pick and will now go on the shelf with very favorite books. It's the true story of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who is part of the underground movement to help and hide Jews during World War II. While much of the story is terrifyingly real and heartbreaking, this is a story of hope, and forgiveness in the face of true evil and hatred. Corrie has such a beautiful style of writing and uses language...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Kristen MacGregor rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Kristen by: Lehi Utah Library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 18, 2008 Trish rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not realize that I have read an excerpt from this book that was circulated via email. When I came to the spot, it was unmistakable and powerful.

The Ten Boom family was remarkable the way they read scriptures and prayed both night and day. They were religious about time, too. I can't imagine eating breakfast at exactly 8:10 am every morning. This spoke volumes to me about the pace of life back in the day. The father was endearing and I was impressed by the way he taught his daughter. In one...more

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Sep 28, 2008 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

At no fault of the book, but it took me a while to get into this story. Once the occupation of Holland took place the story became riveting and I didn't put it down until I read through the last page. What a horrific setting, but nevertheless a beautiful true story of faith and even love through adversity. A friend suggested having tissue close by, and I agree, especially through the last few chapters.
One part that I'm sure was not a major point in the book, but that struck me was near the end w...more

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Jul 17, 2008 Janna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This WWII survival book is excellent. This was another book I read for a book-of-the-month in my Phoenix book club. I found it inspiring in spite of the seriousness of the characters circumstances. The war's victims were deep and these courageous people refused to let evil continue unabated if they could within their sphere of influence thwart it, and rescue people. The Christian themes are so relevant for today. Corrie's sister's attitude sometimes felt unrealistically optimistic, but I think i...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Laurie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am ashamed at how little I knew of this book and Corrie ten Boom before reading. For some reason, I thought Corrie ten Boom was African African and her story had something to do with slavery. Uh, I couldn't have been more wrong. She was a Dutch woman who, during World War II, helped Jews flee to safety and then she and her family ended up enslaved in a concentration camp for betraying the Nazis.

And all through it, Corrie kept her faith in God. The big question raised during this book was, "How...more

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Mar 03, 2009 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: again-and-again, like-enough-to-own

What a fabulous book! This is the kind of book that changes the way that you see the world. It's given me so many things to think about.

Corrie and several members of her family are imprisoned in several different Nazi camps throughout the end of WWII for helping run the "underground" operation in Holland. The perspective that is offered throughout this book is absolutely incredible. I'll share with you just a couple of the things that stood out to me.

As a young woman, Corrie is totally and compl...more What a fabulous book! This is the kind of book that changes the way that you see the world. It's given me so many things to think about.

Corrie and several members of her family are imprisoned in several different Nazi camps throughout the end of WWII for helping run the "underground" operation in Holland. The perspective that is offered throughout this book is absolutely incredible. I'll share with you just a couple of the things that stood out to me.

As a young woman, Corrie is totally and completely in love with a friend of her brother, Karel. After finding out that Karel is engaged to another young lady (for financial reasons) Corrie is, of course, devastated. She hides herself in her bedroom, crying and crying. Her father climbs the stairs to offer a few words of wisdom. He explains that "love is the strongest force in all the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that is stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or, Corrie, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel. . . . Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way."

Another time, once Holland had been invaded, Corrie lay awake in bed, listening to dogfights going on over head. When she finally heard her sister, Betsie, downstairs in the kitchen and ran down to join her. They sat at the table, talking until the fighting was over and they could return to sleep. As Corrie felt her way to her bed, running her hand across her pillow, she felt a hard, sharp piece of shrapnel, embedded directly in the middle of her pillow. She ran back down the stair, in horror, to show her Betsie. "'Betsie, if I hadn't heard you in the kitchen-----' But Betsie put a finger on my mouth. 'Don't say it, Corrie! There are no 'if's' in God's world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety --- O Corrie, let us pray that we may always know it!'"

This book is filled with forgiveness and joy, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Praying for forgiveness for the Nazis and thanking God for even the fleas! :) A sweet testimony from a remarkable woman! (less)

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Mar 04, 2009 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooked

I cheated on this: I found a copy from our digital library loan system, but it's the Focus on the Family radio theater version. Now, Focus on the Family renditions are pretty true to the original. This is probably because they pick stories already with Christian themes, so they can't really be accused of putting Christianity into something that wasn't already in the source. Unfortunately, it means that I missed some of the details the book could explain that wouldn't be possible in the radio dra...more

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Jul 13, 2008 Danna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We've all grown up with the story of Anne Frank; while certainly moving and profound, it's good to be reminded that her experiences were not unique by exploring such memoirs as Corrie Ten Boom's. While reading through other Goodreads reviews, I came across one that I particularly appreciate and am thus quoting here: "Whenever I find myself involved in a tense discussion with fundamentalist atheists, and hear religion being blamed for every evil under the sun, I am always reminded of Corrie ten B...more

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May 19, 2013 Shawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very powerful stuff is in this WWII true account of some heroic acts of humanity and Christianity. It is difficult to imagine people being so cruel in some cases and saintly in others. The stories of pressing on with faith, gratitude and unwavering belief in a worthy cause are touching. I came away feeling like I had gained a new example of how to live life. It is in many respects similar to Uncle Tom's Cabin and Man's Search For Meaning. This first-person, true account is indeed remarkable.

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May 17, 2010 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies-and-autobiographies, wwii, history-nonfiction, memoirs, christian-nonfiction, favorites, books-i-own

This is a profound book, and one that will not leave you unmoved. I was even inspired to write a poem before I finished reading it:

Victory Song
by Melissa M.
May 16, 2010

Golden glimpses of the sun,
Bits of clouds between the bars.
Coughing blood, matted hair,
Questions, memories, leaving scars.

Making friends with tiny ants,
Spilling crumbs to bring them out.
Crossing days off on the wall,
Wondering what this is all about.

Planned by God, even this?
Yes, and rejoicing still,
Corrie ten Boom lying there,
Know...more

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About Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who were active in social work in their home town of Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to act out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo out of the country. It is e...more

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Amazing Love: True Stories of the Power of Forgiveness

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“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” — 531 people liked it

“Do you know what hurts so very much? It's love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.” — 273 people liked it

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