The Hiding Place

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 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 show more 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

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, 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 show more 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:

"...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:

"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."

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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.

I have heard much about the little Dutch woman, Corrie Ten Boom, but it has taken me so long to finally get around to her story. The Ten Boom family took in both their Jewish friends and complete strangers to keep them safe from the Nazis during WWII. People would just show up at their watch shop unannounced and the family never turned anyone away. Even though they were just simple people, their extraordinary faith led them to work with the Underground to disguise their communications, to build a secret room, to secure extra ration cards and move Jews around the country. They developed a panic button bell system and held drills to see how quickly their guests could hide out of the way. But Corrie and her family were caught and show more imprisoned. Her father and sister died in the camps. Still she had faith. Still she tried to shine the Light out into the darkness that surrounded her. I greatly admire her courage and her fortitude.
The book is so readable, like you are sitting across the coffee table from your grandmother. I only wish it were longer. I was sad to see it end.

We could never be sure that out line was not tapped. So we developed a system for coding our underground messages in terms of watches...
"I have a watch here with a face that's causing difficulty. One of the numbers has worked loose and it's holding back the hand. Do you know anyone who does this kind of repair work?" (We have a Jew whose features are especially Semitic. Do you know anyone who would be willing to take an extra risk?)
"I'm sorry, but the child's watch you left with us is not repairable. Do you have a receipt?" (A Jewish child has died in one of our houses. We need a burial permit).

"I could not sleep last night," the lieutenant said, "thinking about that Book where you read such different ideas. What else does it say in there?"
On my closed eyelids the sun glimmered and blazed. "It says," I began slowly, "that a Light has come into the world, so that we need no longer walk in the dark. Is there darkness in your life, Lieutenant?"
There was a very long silence.
"There is great darkness," he said at last. "I cannot bear the work I do here."
Then all at once he was telling me about his wife and children home in Bremen, about their garden, their dogs, their summer hiking vacations. "Bremen was bombed again last week. Each morning I ask myself are they still alive."
"There is One Who has them always in His sight, Lieutenant Rahms. Jesus is the Light the Bible shows to me, the Light that shines even in such darkness as yours."
The man pulled the visor of his hat lower on his eyes; the skull-and-crossbones glinted in the sunlight. When he spoke it was so low I could hardly hear. "What can you know of darkness like mine...." show less

This is a very moving and gripping story of some one who decided to help Jews in Holland and ended up in a concentration camp, where she lost her sister and father. It's harrowing and touching, and deeply involves her Christian faith. Had I read this ten years ago, I would have been swept up in her faithfulness, but at this point all I can wonder is why would God keep her vitamins from running out? If you're going to intervene, by all means take Hitler out of the equation. This have faith and see small miracles thing seems only to cause pain to those with faith who never receive their miracles. The Holocaust just doesn't seem like the time to be showing up in the vitamins and not with the cavalry.

This true story of Corrie Ten Boom tells a fascinating and emotional story of God's providence. The story is one of love that contrasts so starkly with the hatred that surrounds the Holocaust. I loved this book and its message of love (for all) in the face of hardship; this is a message that many of us need a reminder of us, as we may find it hard to believe, but these testimonies remind us that love and kindness is possible (and even rewarding/edifying), even in the worst of circumstances.

My copy seemed to have some typos (very minimal), but that did not detract from the experience; it simply seemed like an odd misprint.

I can’t overstate the power of this book. It’s the true story of a woman who hid Jews in her Holland home during WWII. Despite the danger that meant for her family, she defied the Nazi rulers and stood for what was right. Her unbelievable bravery in the midst of persecution was so humbling. I couldn’t put it down. I loved how honest she was about her moments of doubt and frustration. I was blown away by the risks they were willing to take for others.