Corrie ten Boom and her family operated an underground movement in Holland during World War II, providing safe passage to Jews during the German occupation. Corrie's father owned a watch repair business; Corrie and her older sister Betsie remained unmarried and assisted their father in the shop. They were well-known for their kindness and hospitality, so it was natural for neighbors to turn to them for help. As they developed connections with others involved in the movement, their operation increased in scope and required both more sophisticated methods and more caution. A secret room was built in the house to hide the occupants in case of a raid. A buzzer system was installed to alert occupants to a raid or other emergency, and drills were held to ensure people could hide without leaving evidence. Signals were arranged to communicate when it was safe to enter the house.

The ten Boom family performed an important ministry during the war, but eventually the authorities became aware of their work and the family was arrested and taken to a political prisoner camp. Corrie and Betsie ten Boom spent nearly a year in a series of prison camps, under appalling conditions. Their deep Christian faith was key to survival. After the war, Corrie set up rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands, lectured about her experience, and taught others based on the Christian Gospels and themes of forgiveness. Corrie ten Boom's faith and ability to forgive are an inspiration; it takes an extraordinary person to survive such a harrowing experience and be able to forgive your persecutors.

The Hiding Place was an interesting memoir from a dark time in the history of humankind. ( )

I'm really glad my book club picked this one to read, because otherwise I probably would never have read something shelved in the Christian Inspiration section. Unlike some of the other books I've read in that genre, this one actually was inspiring. I didn't feel like I was being preached at or pressured to think or act a certain way. The story Corrie ten Boom tells about her captivity during World War II was truly moving and well-told. ( )

This was an amazing Holocaust memoir. At it's heart is an entire family who put the teachings of the Bible into action every day, no matter what the cost to themselves may be. I was very saddened at the deaths which occurred within Corrie's family, because each member had become a member of my own family while I was reading. I high recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Holocaust or in ministry work. ( )

I found this book very inspirational. I am amazed at the faith of Corrie and her sister Betsy in enduring such hardship. In addition, this book is an awesome lesson in forgiveness.

"I know that 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." ~ Corrie ten Boom

After I had read about halfway through this book, I was telling my co-workers how good it was. One of them knew all about the book and the author, and had actually had the privilege of meeting Corrie ten Boom when she came to her church to speak. My co-worker mentioned the fact that this book and Miss ten Boom's experiences during WWII should make anyone feel grateful for what they have. She was totally right about that. When you're reading a true story that relates how concentration camp prisoners were forced to get out of bed at 3:30AM in the dead of winter and stand outside for an hour in the freezing cold for roll call, it kind of makes it impossible to gripe about, well, anything.

The Hiding Place is centered around the lives of Corrie ten Boom and her family, and how they were able to use their watch shop in Haarlem, Holland as a secret communication center and provided accommodations for those trying to avoid arrest by the Nazis while they occupied their country. Eventually, they were betrayed, arrested, and sent to concentration camps.

Some things from the book that stood out to me and are blessings to my heart:
- while planes flew overhead, bombing their country, Corrie's sister Betsie prayed for the Germans
- how long she and her family were able to provide secret assistance to those using the underground system to escape arrests during the Nazi occupation of Holland
- the recurring miracle that Corrie was able to keep a Bible with her through several camp inspections and transfers
- how lonely she was while in solitary confinement, so much so that she made "friends" with the ants that would crawl through the cracks in her cell
- that her release from Ravensbruck was yet another miracle (on Christmas Day), as she later found out it was due to a clerical error, and that all of the women her age in the camp had been killed just one week after her release

I have read other stories from survivors of concentration camps, but none quite as descriptive as this one, and from a woman's point of view. The cruelty and apathy of the soldiers and guards were quite apparent. The conditions in the camps were beyond appalling. But above and more important than all the horrific scenes and situations depicted in this book, it showed me some fine examples of the resilience of the human spirit, the love of freedom, and how those natural human qualities are further strengthened by faith in God. ( )

I read this when I was 12 and again last year at the age of 17. I loved it when I was 12 and I still love it now. Its taught me many different things... ( )

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 much time feeling sorry for themselves. They just went on with what had to be done.

And even after Corrie returned home, having lost her sister and her father, she went ahead with her life, serving others who had lost just as much as she had, but still needed help.

I could go on more about this book, but I'm not sure how to put into words what I felt. I know that I did feel that I can handle my challenges. She inspired me to become better myself. ( )

This book surprised me. I knew it was a great story--the tale of a Dutch woman whose family hid Jewish refugees in the early days of the Second World War, until they were caught and sent first to prison and later to a concentration camp. I had read the book years ago. What surprised me, when I picked the book off from my shelf to read for my daughter's schooling, was just how pleasant it was to read. The Sherrills and Ms. ten Boom have done a great job of presenting the sights and sounds, the people and events that makes up The Hiding Place. It's a suspenseful tale under-girded by a strong sense of faith and compassion.
--J. ( )

was really into the book to begin with, but just lost interest. ( )

The hiding place starts with a Holland family and how they tried to help Jews in their country during World War Two. They were caught and then put into jail but all were released except for the two sisters and that is where the true story starts. It tells of their time in concentration camps and how one survives. This book was written by the surviving sister Corrie Ten Boom. She tells of the hard times in a way that compels you to feel her pain. But not only did she explain the difficulties that tear your heart apart, she shows how forgiving and strong she is after everything has ended, all because of her never failing faith of God. Becoming an inspiring and humbling book it is one of the best books about the terrors of World War Two, I have ever read. ( )

Extremely moving memoir of a Christian woman and her sister who were sent to a concentration camp during World War II for helping their Jewish neighbors.

One of our library patrons said it was so good she could not put it down! It is out in audio CD and in VHS video too

You might be interested in the DVD of titled THE HIDING PLACE, also available in the College Church Library. ( )

Great, classic book about the holocaust & the brave few who dared to help their Jewish neighbors. I just re-read yesterday. The first time I read this was in my teens (a few years ago) & it was the first book on the holocaust that I had ever read. ( )

This was the first book I read that dealt with World War II and the Nazis. Corrie ten Boom grew up in Holland in the house above her father's watch and clock repair store. As she grew she learned compassion and love from her close-knit family. It only seemed natural then that when there were people in trouble, that the ten Booms would help.

During World War II, the ten Boom family hid Jewish people in a secret hiding place in their house. Because of their acts of kindness, Corrie and her sister Betsy were sent to a concentration camp.

Every time I read this book I am struck by the love and forgiveness that Betsy and her sister had for their captors. I always admire Corrie because she admitted that loving and forgiving was sometimes hard work.

My copy is well worn from many readings. It is one of my favorites and I plan to keep it even if it falls apart. ( )

I knew forever that this book is a Christian classic that I should have already read, but dreaded it thinking that the book would be dry and boring and preachy. Far from it. I was moved by the story, Corrie's faith and her struggles. ( )

Hands down the greatest book I've ever read!

- Janissa T.

Corrie Ten Boom was a clockmaker. She, her father, Casper Ten Boom, and sister, Betsie Ten Boom helped rescue hundreds of Jewish families. It all started when a woman showed up at the door with a baby. The women asked Corrie if they would take care of it for a few days until someone could take it to the countryside to be safe. The Ten Boom began sharing their home with Jews hiding them from the Nazis, and gave them stolen ration cards so that they could buy food and get to another safe home. She knew the price was high, but she did everything she could to save the lives and families of Jews.
In 1939, Holland was attacked by the Germans under Adolph Hitler. The Gestapo, a Nazi police organization, would raid people's homes and kidnap young men between the ages of 17 and 30, and force them to work in the army. They were imprisoned, killed, and sent to extermination camps to die. Not only the Jews, but also anyone that assisted them would suffer. Ten Booms continued to hide Jews in a hidden room behind a wall in Corrie's room. The soldiers found out that the Ten Booms were helping the Jewish people. They came at a time when Corrie was sick with the flu. She managed to help the people into the room before the soldiers got to them. The police interrogated the family but the Ten Booms refused to give up the other people in the underground. They were sent to Scheveningen. Corrie and Betsie were separated from their father in another part of the prison. They moved to another camp where Betsie died. Two days later Corrie was set free on a clerical error. Shortly after she was released all the prisoners were exterminated.
This was an in depth viewpoint into the lives of people who lived in Europe during World War II and how their lives were impacted by the invasion of Hitler. It was very inspirational to stand up for something that was right. The forgiveness that Corrie and her sister portrayed toward the soldiers who treated them badly was remarkable. This book should be read at least in the eighth grade because of the realities of war. Some activities that could be used with this book would be a timeline of the countries that Hitler invaded or a web quest of Corrie Ten Boom Home with the Hiding place. There is a web site that shows the actual home where she lived.

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. ( )

Story of Corrie ten Boom, sent to a prison camp during World War II for hiding Jews, who went on to become one of the most beloved evangelists of all times.

I first read this book as a young teenager after attending a Rally for Jesus workshop. I found the story compelling and showing a different perspective than other Holocaust narratives I had read. The author reminds us that it was not only Jews who were persecuted during this time. Her story is intended to show the power of prayer and the triumph of faith. As my reading became more targeted in this area of history, I valued this perspective mostly for its uniqueness. ( )

Wonderful book! Every time I re-read it I take something new away from the experience. Great examples of living basic Christian doctrines like gratitude and forgiveness. ( )

This is my all time favorite book for the excellent writing, fantastic story and especially the humble faith evidenced by Corrie Ten Boom. I've probably read it eight or ten times including once to each of my four children, who were also captivated by the suspense of the story.

Corrie Ten Boom, her sister and her father chose to put their Christian faith into action by protecting Jews in their homeland in Holland from the Nazi killing machine. The hiding place in their home eventually cost them dearly, but Corrie learned many lessons as well as how to forgive her captors. ( )

A righteous Gentile, indeed! The ten Boom family courageously sheltered, helped provide ration cards, assisted Jews to escape the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.

Three vignettes stick in my mind. 1)Corrie explaining to her Bible class of retarded children that she was like the glove she held. By itself it could do nothing, but with her hand in it (representing Christ in her life), it could do whatever was required. 2) When afraid she would not be able to face death, her father asking when he gave her (a child) the ticket to get on the train when she accompanied him to Amsterdam. She replied--just before we get on. He explained that dying grace is not given ahead of time either. 3) Learning to be thankful for the infestation of fleas!!

I not only recommend the book, but also the movie of the same name. I see it at least once a year and reread the book to be reminded that "there is no pit so deep that His love is not deeper still." ( )

This is the most inspiring book I have ever read. ( )