Corrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker's Daughter

Trailblazers

by Jean Watson

The story of Corrie ten Boom has inspired millions of people all over the world. Jean Watson is a skilful author and presents Corrie’s stirring life and challenging hope–filled message for young readers. The Watchmaker’s Daughter traces the life of this outstanding Christian woman from her childhood in Haarlem, through her suffering in Nazi concentration camps, to her world–wide ministry to the handicapped and underprivileged. This exciting victorious book will allow you to meet this beloved woman and learn of God’s wonderful provision and blessing through adversity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Christian, History, World War II, Childrens, Faith

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Jean Watson, having been a teacher, has gone on to have a career in writing involving writing lesson material for children geared for religious lessons and Sunday School. Jean’s stories have been broadcast on TV and radio.

Reviews

[Irina Storozuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releído después de varios años y ¡wow!

Es la biografía de Corrie pero debo admitir que me impactó aún más la vida de Betsie. Me quedó con esta frase como resumen: "Nosotros podemos ir a cualquier parte diciendo a la gente, que no hay lugar en la tierra tan oscuro que el amor de Dios no pueda brillar en él. Ellos nos creerán porque nosotros hemos estado aquí, en Ravensbruck."

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, powerful read. God's presence and provision in the hardest of situations.

[Beth White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of The StoryGraph’s Genre Challenge 2023: Prompt 4. A biography about someone you don't know much about

I have heard Corrie Ten Boom talked about multiple times in the past but has never got around to reading her autobiography “The Hiding Place”. The ask for this prompt was to find a biography specifically so I was thrilled to find that there was a biography written about Corrie by Jean Watson and available on Audible! I am so so so happy to have found, chosen, and read this book.

An absolutely remarkable story of courage, faith, and love in the face of so much evil. Inspiring doesn’t quite cut it as a word to describe this woman who went through everything she did and still managed to spend her life spreading a message of love - including to those who caused the very pain she went through and atrocities she witnessed. It is such a challenge to me as I work to forgive others who have harmed me far less than what she went through but also reassuring that she didn’t do it in her own strength but instead through the strength Jesus gave her.

It was also fascinating to read a book on inspirational individuals from WW2 who weren’t Jews. The story of Corrie is that of a woman in Nazi occupied Holland who chose to put herself at risk my helping others.

This is an amazing faith building, motivational, insightful, and honestly jaw dropping book that I recommend to absolutely anyone to read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally morbid read aloud for my little boys. Pretty sure someone died in every single chapter, even before the Nazis showed up. My boys would log the daily deaths. Nonetheless, Carrie ten Boom and her family were pretty inspiring and the content gave us much to talk and think about.

[Larissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this just after the Hiding Place. They are just on two completely different levels. The Watchmaker's Daughter seems to move through so many of the key events so quickly and I really did not like how it was written. As well as this, I noticed that the order of events in the two books were not quite the same, which irked me. I'm inclined to believe the autobiography is the more accurate, and it shouldn't be too hard to stay consistent with that. The Hiding Place is much, much better.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not usually write about the books I read but this women deserved a little note.


When I first started to read this book I thought, "Not another book about the holocost!!". But as I continued to read this book was so much more. Not only does it weave in stories of survivers, but shares stories about family. The author narrates her own memories. She tells of how she and her brother grew up in a survivor'f house, how she navigated the halls of education as a woman, how her her experienes shaped the kind of women she is.

I enjoyed this book and I hope you will too!

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Habré leído este libro fácil una tres/cuatro veces pero creo que está fue la que más me conmovió y hacerlo en una lectura conjunta, me sirvió el doble.
Aunque el relato es algo crudo en cuanto a las vivencias de las hermanas Ten Boom a lo largo de la 2da Guerra Mundial, deja hermosas enseñanzas. Parafraseo mi favorita: "Corrie, debemos agradecer por las pulgas [...] Gracias a ellas, ningún oficial viene a vigilar y podemos llevar adelante los estudios bíblicos" Betsie enseña que en todo momento hay que agradecer, si ellas lo hicieron en uno de los lugares más oscuros, todos podemos.

[Dee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introductory book for young children. It is the story of Corrie ten Boom written for "young people." The author uses many actual quotes from Corrie ten Boom's own writings, which adds greatly to the story. Not a replacement for her actual writings, but a good way to introduce her to young children.

[Bethany Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for Christians or Jewish people. This is a religious book about one of the greatest women models in the world-Corrie Ten Boom. It's a wonderful true-life story for people to read and understand it was like.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my school biography project and it was okay. It moved very fast and I wish it would have explained things more. But, it was a good book to read if you want just a brief overview
of Corrie ten Boom's life.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I personally enjoyed reading this book, I think it pales in comparison to The Hiding Place.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspirational story of a life lived for Christ. Corrie learns to love and forgive.

[Beckie Henley-Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my children. I have read the hiding place and loved Corrie Ten Boom. The watchmakers daughter was a good age appropriate version for kids to learn of the horrific events of WW2.

[Heather Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Corrie ten Boom is five stars, but the writing of this book was definitely lacking. I listened to the audiobook with my kids and some parts it was hard to understand who the author was talking about, so I would have to pause and clarify. There are several deaths throughout the book, some much more heartbreaking than others, but the different miracles and ways that God moved in Corrie’s heart and life were incredible, and far more memorable than the losses. My boys (ages 8, 7, 4, and 2) didn’t get into this one very much; it was definitely less action and adventure than the other books we’ve read, but I think it was a worthwhile exposure to a beautiful woman of God.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the story of Corrie Ten Boom, having read other books and seen her movie. What I loved about this read by Jean Watson, is, I feel it is a perfect read for a preteen or teenage. I know the holocaust was horror against humanity, so sometimes these emotions can be too much for a young mind, reading alone. This book does not get too detailed in the horror, but it does show the reactions, family support, and love of Jesus in response to the unfairness in life.

[Zoey Matzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great story. I can’t believe what the Jews and the people like corrie experienced. Corrie and her family did really kind and brave and selfless things. God worked in Corries life and the people she chose to forgive.this book is amazing.

[Esmerald City · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry, this was the one I read.

[Jo Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about a fathers' daughter who loved what watches and their importance can be (no spoiler).

[Gigi Knows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introducing magic into mysteries. Unexpected and delightful to read.

[catherine]

Corrie Ten Boom is such an amazing woman.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of Corrie Ten Boom is a wonderful one!
However, the actual writing of this book was very choppy. It jumped around and was hard to follow.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro for kids who aren't quite ready for The Hiding Place.

[Lilly]

Corrie ten Boom was an amazing person!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking but Amazing story of a Faith Giant, set during World War II. My daughter gave it 100 stars!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and convicting.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography on this strong Christian woman. I heartily recommend, but make sure you read 'The Hiding Place' also.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing true story of courage and faith. It drove me to Google the main character and to watch a YouTube documentary about her. Great lesson about Forgiveness for me

[Svetlana Stocks]

Wrong book! Did not read this one!

[StefZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, what a strong woman she was.

[Vale Manzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5