Elizabeth Sherrill
Author of The Hiding Place
About the Author
Elizabeth Sherrill and her husband have been associated with Guideposts magazine for many years and were cofounders of Chosen Books, along with Leonard and Catherine Marshall LeSourd. Elizabeth and John have three grown children and are home occasionally in Chappaqua, New York
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Works by Elizabeth Sherrill
The Happiest People on Earth: The Long-Awaited Personal Story of Demos Shakarian (1975) 198 copies, 3 reviews
Associated Works
A Guideposts 2 in 1 Selection: Return From Tommorow, My Glimpse of Eternity (1978) — Author — 2 copies
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- female
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Inferno by Larry Niven / Return from Tomorrow by George G Ritchie....coincidence? in Science Fiction Fans (April 2013)
Reviews
Corrie ten Boom was the youngest child in a family of Haarlem watchmakers. Corrie's brother became a pastor and one of her older sisters married a school teacher. Neither Corrie nor her oldest sister, Betsie, married, and Corrie went into the family business while Betsie took care of the housekeeping after their mother's death. For as long as Corrie could remember, their house had been home to more than just their immediate family. Several of her mother's sisters lived with the family until show more their deaths, and her father took in several foster children after his own children were grown. It was natural for the Ten Booms to offer hospitality and a place of refuge to Jews and to others who were sought by the Nazis during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Their home became the nucleus of an underground network that funneled Jews to safety. When the network inevitably became known to the Germans, several family members were arrested, and Corrie and her sister, Betsie, eventually ended up in the concentration camp at Ravensbruck. Their strong Christian faith enabled them to endure much suffering during their imprisonment.
This was a re-read for me. Corrie has been one of my heroes since I first read this book as a young adult. What impressed me on the first reading was Corrie's encounter with one of her former guards at Ravensbruck who had come to hear her speak at a church in Germany. He sought her out after the meeting and asked for her forgiveness. This time through, I saw Betsie's influence in this encounter. In the concentration camp, Corrie was moved by the suffering of their fellow prisoners and dedicated herself to ministering to them. Betsie was moved by the spiritual poverty of the guards and other officials, and she dreamed of ministering to them after the war. It would seem that Betsie's dream motivated Corrie to speak of God's forgiveness in German churches in the years following the war.
I've learned much more about the war and the Holocaust in the years since I first read this book. There is no question that European Jews were persecuted for their faith, and I'm thankful for every Holocaust memoir that preserves the stories of individuals who suffered in the concentration camps and who witnessed the mass exterminations of Jews. Corrie ten Boom's account is a reminder that it wasn't only Jews who were persecuted by the Nazis. It seems that Christianity wasn't welcome in the camps either. The Ten Booms were arrested when they had gathered for a Bible study in their home. Corrie and Betsie smuggled Bibles into the prison and later into the concentration camp. They held Bible studies and prayer meetings with other prisoners in secret.
This time through I was struck by how well-written this book is. The authors take an episodic approach to Corrie's life, and each chapter tells a story. The audio production is outstanding, and the narrator tells Corrie's story as if she had lived it herself. This is a classic of Christian literature that probably hasn't been out of print since its publication. It will also appeal to readers interested in accounts of occupied territories and resistance movements in World War II. show less
This was a re-read for me. Corrie has been one of my heroes since I first read this book as a young adult. What impressed me on the first reading was Corrie's encounter with one of her former guards at Ravensbruck who had come to hear her speak at a church in Germany. He sought her out after the meeting and asked for her forgiveness. This time through, I saw Betsie's influence in this encounter. In the concentration camp, Corrie was moved by the suffering of their fellow prisoners and dedicated herself to ministering to them. Betsie was moved by the spiritual poverty of the guards and other officials, and she dreamed of ministering to them after the war. It would seem that Betsie's dream motivated Corrie to speak of God's forgiveness in German churches in the years following the war.
I've learned much more about the war and the Holocaust in the years since I first read this book. There is no question that European Jews were persecuted for their faith, and I'm thankful for every Holocaust memoir that preserves the stories of individuals who suffered in the concentration camps and who witnessed the mass exterminations of Jews. Corrie ten Boom's account is a reminder that it wasn't only Jews who were persecuted by the Nazis. It seems that Christianity wasn't welcome in the camps either. The Ten Booms were arrested when they had gathered for a Bible study in their home. Corrie and Betsie smuggled Bibles into the prison and later into the concentration camp. They held Bible studies and prayer meetings with other prisoners in secret.
This time through I was struck by how well-written this book is. The authors take an episodic approach to Corrie's life, and each chapter tells a story. The audio production is outstanding, and the narrator tells Corrie's story as if she had lived it herself. This is a classic of Christian literature that probably hasn't been out of print since its publication. It will also appeal to readers interested in accounts of occupied territories and resistance movements in World War II. show less
At 50 years old, Corrie ten Boom lived a simple life with her older sister, both of them unmarried, and their elderly father in a small house in Holland. When the Nazis invaded and occupied their country, Corrie quickly saw the need around her as Jews began to be shipped out. The ten Boom house and watchmaker shop became part of the Dutch Underground, helping those who were persecuted find a safe place, even to the point of building a small hiding place in their own house. In this book, show more Corrie shares much of her life before the occupation, including the faith that led her and her family to help those in needs, culminating in the arrest and imprisonment of many members of her family, and later to her time in a concentration camp alongside her sister Betsie.
This book is incredible in so many ways. It's inspirational, and not only because of what the ten Booms did to help others. It's the reason behind their desire to help, the way that it really wasn't even a question about whether or not they would help, and the way that they affected everyone around them, even in the darkest of places. The strong faith in God that Corrie's parents had, exhibited, and passed on to their children shows through every page of this book. Corrie herself struggled the most in this area, constantly learning from her other family members and being surprised by their heart for the oppressors. Yet she never questioned whether or not she should help the Jews around her at the risk of her own well-being.
Not many Holocaust-related accounts that I have read are from a Christian perspective, and I really appreciated seeing the little and big ways that Corrie and Betsie could see God involved in their plight. Though they never demanded that He help them, they trusted Him (again, Betsie more than Corrie) and gave Him credit when they saw Him work. I can only hope that in my everyday life, and even moreso when times of difficulty come, I can have the wisdom of Mr. ten Boom, the love of Mrs. ten Boom, the hope of Betsie ten Boom, the courage of Corrie ten Boom, and the faith exhibited by all of them.
Below are some quotes from the book that I marked to remember.
Casper ten Boom upon the realization that Holland would soon be invaded:
Corrie discovered that a large piece of sharp debris had landed on her pillow while she was out of bed:
And the one that stuck out to me the most, from an elderly member of Corrie's family who spent much of her life running clubs, writing tracts, always trying to further God's kingdom. When she learned she didn't have long to live, her family members told her she was going to the Father with hands full, due to all of her work. She replied:
This book is incredible in so many ways. It's inspirational, and not only because of what the ten Booms did to help others. It's the reason behind their desire to help, the way that it really wasn't even a question about whether or not they would help, and the way that they affected everyone around them, even in the darkest of places. The strong faith in God that Corrie's parents had, exhibited, and passed on to their children shows through every page of this book. Corrie herself struggled the most in this area, constantly learning from her other family members and being surprised by their heart for the oppressors. Yet she never questioned whether or not she should help the Jews around her at the risk of her own well-being.
Not many Holocaust-related accounts that I have read are from a Christian perspective, and I really appreciated seeing the little and big ways that Corrie and Betsie could see God involved in their plight. Though they never demanded that He help them, they trusted Him (again, Betsie more than Corrie) and gave Him credit when they saw Him work. I can only hope that in my everyday life, and even moreso when times of difficulty come, I can have the wisdom of Mr. ten Boom, the love of Mrs. ten Boom, the hope of Betsie ten Boom, the courage of Corrie ten Boom, and the faith exhibited by all of them.
Below are some quotes from the book that I marked to remember.
Casper ten Boom upon the realization that Holland would soon be invaded:
"...I am sorry for all Dutchmen now who do not know the power of God. For we will be beaten. But He will not."
Corrie discovered that a large piece of sharp debris had landed on her pillow while she was out of bed:
"Betsie, if I hadn't heard you in the kitchen--"
But Betsie put her 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..."
And the one that stuck out to me the most, from an elderly member of Corrie's family who spent much of her life running clubs, writing tracts, always trying to further God's kingdom. When she learned she didn't have long to live, her family members told her she was going to the Father with hands full, due to all of her work. She replied:
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"Empty, empty! How can we bring anything to God? What does He care for our little tricks and trinkets?"
And then as we listened in disbelief she lowered her hands and with tears still coursing down her face whispered, "Dear Jesus, I thank You that You have done all--all--on the cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this."
Really enjoyed this audiobook version of the hiding place. While not easy to hear some of the details of the account, it was pleasant to listen to Wanda read. It was really well written and gives such an in depth picture of what really went on during this time! It’s a sad read, while also filled with hope, God’s providence, and the beauty of what a faithful life looks like. Corrie’s acceptance with how her life was, is utterly amazing and motivating.
Fantastic account of the 1958 founding of Teen Challenge, a global Christ-centered residential drug rehab program. This book starts with the bang of a minister getting thrown out of a NYC courtroom housing the trial of seven teen gang members charged with murder. And then the Lord told him to go back.
The global ministry didn’t start out this way. David Wilkerson just wanted to reach the teen gangs of NYC to tell them of Jesus’ love for them. He faced incredible barriers. But God proved show more himself again and again in this modern-day George Muller story. Eventually the ministry morphed into a home in the hood for gang members who wanted to follow Christ, and then into a drug rehab program.
A primer in real life accounts of the Holy Spirit’s working and His power. I wouldn’t recommend this book for kids. Parents should use discretion with their high schoolers. Even as an adult reader, some of the descriptions of street life seemed (justifiably) graphic to illustrate how roughly these kids lived. Drug use, violence and sex. show less
The global ministry didn’t start out this way. David Wilkerson just wanted to reach the teen gangs of NYC to tell them of Jesus’ love for them. He faced incredible barriers. But God proved show more himself again and again in this modern-day George Muller story. Eventually the ministry morphed into a home in the hood for gang members who wanted to follow Christ, and then into a drug rehab program.
A primer in real life accounts of the Holy Spirit’s working and His power. I wouldn’t recommend this book for kids. Parents should use discretion with their high schoolers. Even as an adult reader, some of the descriptions of street life seemed (justifiably) graphic to illustrate how roughly these kids lived. Drug use, violence and sex. show less
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Statistics
- Works
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