Hiding Place

Hiding Place

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At one time Corrie ten Boom would have laughed at the idea that there would ever be a story to tell. For the first fifty years of her life nothing at all out of the ordinary had ever happened to her. She was an old-maid watchmaker living contentedly with her spinster sister and their elderly father in the tiny Dutch house over their shop. Their uneventful days, as regulate At one time Corrie ten Boom would have laughed at the idea that there would ever be a story to tell.

Their uneventful days, as regulated as their own watches, revolved around their abiding love for one another. However, with the Nazi invasion and occupation of Holland, a story did ensue. Corrie ten Boom and her family became leaders in the Dutch Underground, hiding Jewish people in their home in a specially built room and aiding their escape from the Nazis. For their help, all but Corrie found death in a concentration camp. The Hiding Place is their story.

Paperback , pages. Published October 1st by Bantam first published January 1st To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about The Hiding Place , please sign up. This question contains spoilers… view spoiler [One of the more interesting comments that Corrie Ten Boom makes is that we need to pray for the fleas in life.

When is the last time that you thanked God for fleas? For me, the fleas seem more like a distraction. The broken chair, the worn out clothes, the beat that breaks, the annoying people in my life--why would I pray and thank God for them? Anna Corrie and her sister were thankful that they were able to get any of those things at all. And maybe it seems crazy to be thankful for the fleas, it's …more Corrie and her sister were thankful that they were able to get any of those things at all.

And maybe it seems crazy to be thankful for the fleas, it's because it kept the guards at more of a distance when they were in that big room. Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. Corrie responded to Elizabeth writer of the preface when Elizabeth commented about the practicalness of the things she …more pg.

Corrie responded to Elizabeth writer of the preface when Elizabeth commented about the practicalness of the things she recalled, how her memories seemed to throw a spotlight on problems and decisions we face here and now. Corrie responded with the quote you mentioned. See all 13 questions about The Hiding Place…. Lists with This Book. Mar 12, Werner rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Any reader interested in the Holocaust, or in Christianity. 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 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!

Corrie's personal narrative of her World War II experiences genuinely are "amazing," in the true sense of the word --both in terms of what she and others went through, what they were called on to do, and the attitude that she and her sister were able to take toward it all. And while, other things being equal, I prefer fiction to nonfiction when I'm reading for pleasure, this book consists of narrative --"story," if you will-- that has the same intrinsic appeal as fiction perhaps more, simply because it is true and is every bit as gripping and engrossing.

Of course, Corrie's story is inseparably steeped with her deep Christian faith, and is impossible to understand apart from it. Obedient love for God and for other people created by God was the motivating force for Corrie and her family to do what they did, and for the spirit in which they did it. For a Christian believer such as myself, her story is an inspiration to the same type of self-sacrifice and loyalty, a testament to the ability of Divine empowerment to bring out extraordinary possibilities in "ordinary" people, and a record of God's saving and helping acts in the nitty-gritty world of daily life, such as Corrie's never-failing vitamin bottle.

Any attempt to explain all of these away as "coincidence," IMHO, stretches the long arm of coincidence out of its shoulder socket! View all 17 comments.

Jun 02, Meg rated it it was amazing. Every human being should be required to read this book. I guarantee it will change forever the way you look at life. 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, Every human being should be required to read this book. I read the book aloud to my husband, taking a break at some point in each chapter just because I couldn't read for the tears. I can understand overcoming amid tragedy, but thanking God for the fleas that are eating your flesh? Praying for the guard who beats you? Two questions kept going through my head in the journey with Corrie: Unimaginably horrible things happen Probably my 1 recommendation for people who feel like they need an attitude adjustment - it certainly adjusted mine.

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 the love so that it 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. God loves Karel--even more than you do--and if you ask Him, He will give you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way. There will be war. The Germans will attack and we will fall Oh, my dears, I am sorry for all Dutchmen now who do not know the power of God.

For we will be beaten. But He will not. At last he looked up at the pastor.

I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will! Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it. A guard rushed at her, swinging her thick leather crop while the girl shrieked in pain and terror. It was always more terrible when one of these innocent ones was beaten. Still [she] continued to whip her I was grateful when the screaming girl at last lay still on the cinder street.

Can't we make a home for them and care for them and love them? To show them that love is greater! Sep 04, Natalie Vellacott rated it it was amazing Shelves: Most people have started with parties and fireworks. I've started it by finishing a five star book! I've read The Hiding Place a few times before but not in recent years. With so many Christian friends on Goodreads, it is the book that I see most often on people's 'favourite' shelf. During this re-read I was reminded that it deserves to be there. Most of you will know the story; Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie are the unmarried daughters of Casper, a Christian watchmaker in Holland duri Most people have started with parties and fireworks.

Most of you will know the story; Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie are the unmarried daughters of Casper, a Christian watchmaker in Holland during the early 's. They could be running a successful and profitable business but, as Christians, are prone to charity and acts of kindness leaving them comfortable but not well-off.

The scene is set by the author, Corrie, and a picture of a happy family life emerges. The everyday details and the author's humour are what make the book, indeed she is a marvellous story-teller and none of it is in any way monotonous. During the Nazi occupation in the late 's, the ten Boom family adapt their business to harbour Jewish refugees as they become involved in the underground movement of the period. Corrie, in particular, devotes her time and attention to caring for and helping these persecuted people and takes great risks in the process.

Eventually, their happy family life, which had gradually been eroded by events on the horizon, is shattered as the entire family are captured and led off to Germany. Corrie and her sister Betsie end up in Ravensbruck, a notorious concentration camp. Here, Corrie faces up to her spiritual weakness as her physical body suffers: Selfishness took on a life of its own Oh this was the great ply of Satan in that kingdom of his: To display such blatant evil that one could almost believe that one's own secret sins didn't matter I came to Paul's account of his thorn in the flesh Of course it was not my wholeness, but Christ's that made the difference.

The breakthrough comes when Corrie, following the example of her never wavering sister who even praises God for the fleas, realises that all is not in vain and life has a purpose again: But as the rest of the world grew stranger, one thing became increasingly clear. And that was the reason the two of us were here. Why others should suffer we were not shown. As for us, from morning until lights out, whenever we were not in ranks for roll call, our Bible was the center of an ever-widening circle of help and hope.

Like waifs clustered round a blazing fire, we gathered about it, holding out our hearts to it warmth and light. The blacker the night around us grew, the brighter and truer and more beautiful burned the word of God. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. What an incredible picture of true faith in the face of such hardness and suffering.

Anyone going through trials will benefit from this book. Likewise those seeking to be content in all circumstances and to rejoice in the Lord always. The Hiding Place is clean: These are relayed factually without embellishment or sensationalism. An incredible testimony of a family completely sold out for God whatever the cost. View all 13 comments. If you consider reading this book, be warned.

The first half of the book was okay. That's the reason I gave it 2 and not 1 star. The second half, set during the war years and Corrie's imprisonment in Ravensbruck, was all about worshipping God and Jesus, praying, miracles and prophecies. Even for all the cruelties that happened, there was a higher divine plan. At some point, In Ravensbruck, they were If you consider reading this book, be warned.

At some point, In Ravensbruck, they were thanking god for being naked in front of SS guards because Jesus was naked on his cross too. And they thanked god for the fleas and the lice, so the guards wouldn't enter the barracks and they could read the bible and worship god. Obviously they were ignorant of the diseases caused by the vermin. There was also a miraculous, never ending bottle of vitamins, that was allegedly smuggled into the camp by Corrie, together with her bible.

The authors made saints of Corrie and Betsie, instead of writing a believable memoir. And in the appendix to the book, you can put this book to work in your own life. I can only recommend this to deeply devout people. There are over 7. But only a handful of reviewers understood the ultimate purpose of the book: Honestly, when an author expects me, as a reader, to actually believe that any religious doctrine is the truth I feel like my intelligence is being insulted and it is downright offensive.

Call me a sceptic, but I found the constant references to Jesus annoying. View all 68 comments. Apr 17, Karen rated it it was amazing. 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 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 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.

Several pages later, the author explains how even the fleas worked together for their good p. 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 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. I found it poignant and sad when the author noted that "even the youngest had developed the uncanny silence of small hunted things" p. 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: Dec 05, Leila rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have read this book before many years ago. Although Corrie is a deeply commited Christian you don't have be of any particular religion to read and appreciate this book. She and her I have read this book before many years ago. She and her older sister Betsie lived through terrifying times to achieve this and endured starvation, torture and humiliation when captured by the Gestapo.

The first half of the book is more about her daily life as the daughter of a man widely acclaimed as a watch and clock maker and repairer and a member of a loving family. The second part is all about how they devote their lives to the rescue of Jews from the enemy. Corrie and her sister have a powerful faith in God and the story is inspiring but heartrending.

This book is for me a classic and supremely special whatever your beliefs might be or not be. View all 6 comments. Oct 03, Diane rated it really liked it Shelves: I read this book in honor of my mother. Corrie worked in her father's watchmaking shop and used the store as a front to help with underground activities. A secret room was built in the family's home that allowed Jews to hide when German agents visited the house. Eventually, Corrie and her family were arrested and sent to prison, and later to a concentration camp.

Throughout the ordeal, Corrie relied on her Christian beliefs to give her hope and strength. After finishing the book, I can understand why my mother was so captivated by Corrie's story. My mom was also strong in her Christian faith, and she had a longtime fascination with World War II, always trying to understand how such a tragedy could have happened. I am not a true believer, but I can appreciate why "The Hiding Place" was so meaningful to my mother. It is a powerful story of love and family and faith, and reading about Good triumphing over Evil should be comforting.

However, reading this book in was quite disturbing, especially with reports of immigrant children being arrested and held in cages, and the continuing problems of racism, white nationalism, violence and war. Perhaps if I had read this book before Trump took office I wouldn't have been so upset by it. But that's the slyness about books — they'll surprise you, catch you at odd moments and show you connections you didn't expect. I wish my mother was still here so we could discuss this book. We could talk about the news, and try to understand why such tragedies are happening again.

View all 7 comments. Dec 30, Noel rated it it was ok Shelves: That's the best I can do on a book that came highly recommended and that I read with relish as I had just been to Amsterdam and surrounding areas, visited the Museum of the Resistance and the old Jewish Synagogue referred to in the book. So why two stars? I just didn't believe a lot of what I read. Here's what I do believe. I think Corrie, her sister Betsy, her father and other family members were courageous, passionate, religious, pro-active and bold.

They did what many in Holland di Two stars. They did what many in Holland did, but what many chose not to do. They put their lives on the line to help with a very unpopular cause. They risked their necks to hide jews, feed them, comfort them and resist the authority of their German invaders.

In that I find them commendable. The father figure was an admirable man, a man of principle who lived truly an exemplary life and imparted his teachings to not only his family, but all who surrounded him. A man of peace, but of strong determination. A man of immensely strong faith which he passed along to his children. So far, so good. So what's my squabble? The book was written a full 25 years after the facts, and I think it shows.

Corrie was in her late 70's when the book was written, and it was written by two people who weren't there. The narrative at times becomes too convenient, too sugar coated. There were no fights amongst the throngs of people living in the beje. I think the old saying that "time heals everything" clearly applies to this book, as it seems to be a bit whitewashed in the veil of faith in Jesus to solve all, in prayers that constantly come through and in the miracle of the never ending vitamins.

I most certainly think we all believe in God when in the trenches, but I don't believe in the Santa Claus God who gave to Corrie, but perhaps withheld from others who were praying just as hard. It came across as preachy and childish all these years later. So many people were hurt, humiliated, beaten, and brutally murdered -- and I am sure just about each and every one of them prayed to their Jesus as well.

To end on a positive note -- the faith that this family had, the true faith in doing the right thing -- is admirable; when Corrie wrote "released" in her jail cell to signify the death of blank , she showed a deep and profound faith in that death is not the end, only a fresh start in a better place. Her fortitude and strength were truly remarkable. View all 14 comments.

Okay, so the many five stars all around on this here book page were warranted. The narrator is terrific and emotive and has the ability to draw you into the time and place instead of taking you out of it! Corrie ten Boom is a 40 something spinster at peace with her quiet life. As conditions become increasingly worse for the unfortunate people in her beloved town, she decides to put her life in danger in order to save those of others. Her family has a hidden room built and they take in the desperate. Eventually she is imprisoned, along with most of her family.

She recounts the long, grueling days of hellish conditions in prison and in concentration camps. The sickness, the starvation and the everyday cruelties inflicted. Their faith makes up a big part of who they were and how they managed to make it through the inhumane conditions. If you read this account, it will leave a mark on you for certain. Sep 09, Liz rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: 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 I qualified the recommendation based on age because there are some difficult situations I think, for younger people.

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I wept at my utter failure in faith. It made me reexamine everything I take for granted daily, and to thank God even for the fleas! View all 3 comments. 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 it does contain a few spoilers for those who don't know Corrie's story: Victory Song by Melissa M. May 16, 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.

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Crossing days off on the wall, Wondering what this is all about. Planned by This is a profound book, and one that will not leave you unmoved. Planned by God, even this? Yes, and rejoicing still, Corrie ten Boom lying there, Knowing that this is God's will. Father died--no, was released To Canaan's fairer land above. Jews in hiding did escape, This the outcome of God's love. Will we sing in trials now, Fight the sin and lonely days? Will we bravely others reach, And remember God's holy ways?

Lord, we ask for strength and grace, Love for others true and strong, Love for You above all else, And to sing Your victory song! Mar 07, Loretta rated it really liked it Shelves: Slow in spots but overall, a good, sad book. Mar 13, LemonLinda rated it it was amazing. This book touched me in a way that few books do. It made me want to work to become a better person. I was definitely in awe of the unwavering and deeply held faith of this inspiring Dutch Christian family before, during and after WWII. They assisted in the Dutch underground movement helping several hundred Jews and others in peril to escape imminent arrest, persecution and execution that would have inevitably come to those they were helping all the while realizing that these activities were like This book touched me in a way that few books do.

The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom

They assisted in the Dutch underground movement helping several hundred Jews and others in peril to escape imminent arrest, persecution and execution that would have inevitably come to those they were helping all the while realizing that these activities were likely to be reported to the authorities. But even more so, I was struck by the forgiving natuure within this family even for their persecutors. It is easy to pray for the sick, the needy, the downtrodden.

But to pray for those who were behind the terrors and daily tortures of their incarceration - the kinds of torture often found during times of war - takes faith in God to a level above that of even the most devout Christians. But that is the kind of faith found in this family. They even found a reason to be thankful for the fleas infesting their prison halls. And their faith in God brought about daily miracles in spite of the most horrific circumstances. Truly an inspiring read! Mar 17, Lisa Harmonybites rated it liked it Recommends it for: Recommended to Lisa Harmonybites by: 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 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.

This is her first person account, written decades after the fact with the help of John and Elizabeth Sherrill.

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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. 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.

As it turned out, the man was a spy, and the watch shop was raided. The entire ten Boom family was arrested, along with the shop employees, though the Jews managed to hide themselves in the secret room. Casper was in his mid-eighties by this time, and a Nazi official offered to let him go, provided he made no more trouble. Casper did not agree to this, stating if he was set free he would return home and help the first person who asked him for it.

Hence, he was shipped to prison. It was later learned he had died ten days later. Meanwhile, Corrie was sent to Scheveningen , a Dutch prison which was used by the Nazis for political prisoners, nicknamed 'Oranjehotel'--a hotel for people loyal to the House of Orange. She later learned that her sister was being held in another cell, and that, aside from her father, all other family members and friends had been released. A coded letter from Nollie revealed that the hidden Jews were safe. While at Scheveningen, Corrie befriended a depressed Nazi officer, who arranged a brief meeting with her family, under the pretense of reading Casper's will.

Corrie was horrified to see how ill Willem was, as he had contracted jaundice in prison. He would eventually die from his illness in Corrie also learned that her nephew, Kik, had been captured while working with the Dutch underground. He had been killed, though the family did not learn of this until After four months at Scheveningen, Corrie and Betsie were transferred to Vught , a concentration camp for political prisoners in Netherlands.

Corrie was assigned to a factory that made radios for aircraft. The work was not hard, and the prisoner-foreman, Mr. Betsie, whose health was starting to fail, was sent to work sewing prison uniforms. The conditions there were hellish; both Corrie and Betsie were forced to perform back-breaking manual labor. It was there that Betsie's health failed. Throughout the ordeal, Corrie was amazed at her sister's faith. In every camp, the sisters used a hidden Bible to teach their fellow prisoners about Jesus. Betsie, however, showed a universal love for everyone—not only for the prisoners, but also for the Nazis.

Instead of feeling anger, she pitied the Germans, sorrowful that they were so blinded by hatred. She yearned to show them the love of Christ, but died before the war was over. Corrie was later released because of a clerical error, but she was forced to stay in a hospital barracks while recovering from edema. Corrie arrived back in the Netherlands by January From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.

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