The Hiding Place

Interesting Intriguing Insightful

The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom, is an autobiography that takes place in the harsh landscapes of Holland and Germany during WWII. It describes the trials and tribulation that people of all faiths had to endure during this time. More specifically it focuses on the Christian walk and demonstrates God's everlasting love, grace, and power. This is the story of Corrie Ten Boom being condemned to a Nazi concentration camp after speaking out against their human rights atrocities. Some of the major themes that stand out as Ten Boom stumbles with her faith are: learn to lean solely on Jesus' strength, God will provide, love everyone and lastly, there are no coincidences. Perhaps the most prominent of these would be 'love everyone' and 'there are no coincidences'. Corrie is perpetually challenged with loving others. It is easy to love the victims, but hard to love the antagonists. Corrie's father tells her when she is young: "Whenever we cannot love the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way." (Ten Boom 45) As humans, our minds are often corrupted by our own selfish thoughts, misunderstandings, and influences. Only God's perspective is the perfect one. Only God can accurately judge and separate the good from the bad. When Ten Boom has trouble loving her captors she learns to lean on God and asks him for his perfect love. In the autobiography, Corrie expresses how hard it was for her to love the people that were so inhumanely cruel to her and to her sister. However, as her father also says in another passage :"Love is the strongest force in the world" (Ten Boom 44). Not even the blackest hatred can conquer the purity and wholesomeness of God's love. Another example of God's flawlessness is the other prominent theme: 'there are no coincidences.' Everything in each of our lives is perfectly fit together. Even when we make a seemingly fatal wrong decision, God uses it to His glory and works it into his master plan. An example from the book would be the fleas in Corrie's sleeping quarters. She is repulsed by them and complains to her sister who then encourages her to see the beauty and to praise God in everything. Later on the reader discovers that the guards refused to enter the barracks because of the fleas, giving them more freedom to preach. Even the smallest happening can make the biggest difference when we give our lives to Christ Jesus. He will use everything to his glory. There are no coincidences. The constant themes in the autobiography were both encouraging and uplifting. I loved how every theme connected and made a huge impact on Corrie in the end. It really gives some insight on my own life. If Corrie was able to forgive the wrong doings of the Nazi soldiers against her and her family, how is it that it is difficult for me to forgive the petty wrong doings of my peers against me. It just goes to show when we are not in unison with Jesus how self-centered we become. This book was over-all very well-written and had a great message. I don't think there is anything I did not like about the book except that I wish the author would have written more about her life after the war. I would recommend The Hiding Place to anyone twelve and older because younger children would most likely not be able to fully understand and appreciate the deeper meanings presented in the text. Other books I would recommend are The Book Thief and The Heavenly Man. I give this novel a perfect five stars for diction, syntax, and

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Inspiring Novel Leaves the Reader in Awe

The novel The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is a memoir based on the events that occurred during the Holocaust and World War II in Holland. Corrie and her family are full of compassion towards individuals, and decide to use their home as a safety for the Jews in the area in order to bring them protection from the Nazis. Her family becomes involved in the "underground" as Jews begin to dwell permanently in their home. One particular day, a spy arrives at the ten Boom residence, and orders the family to a prison in the Dutch area. However, the Jew residents are safe and sound in the "hiding place." The ten Boom's stay at the prison was a rude wake-up call to the harshness of reality-with guards abusing inmates emotionally and physically. However, during this trial, Corrie's faith develops into a strong chain which can never be broken, and she does not lose hope. When she was released in 1945, Corrie used her gift of love to minister to those who were abused during the Holocaust.

Many themes were present in this work, but the most relevant theme was faith. In this novel, Corrie and her sister Betsie are forced to stay in prison for some time. Instead of dreading each day in the cell, they have grasped hope for the future, and believe that their God will help them through this rough situation in their lives. These sisters believe that faith will get them through each day, and they persevere until the end.

This book allowed me to gain a better understanding on the Holocaust, and to view this event in a different perspective than I have in the past. Also, the real events written about in these pages grasped my attention. They allowed me to behold real examples of the events which had taken place during this time period in order to step into the Boom's shoes. However, this book did have a lingering beginning which dragged on, and it took awhile for the book to get off to a decent start. Also, there were some dry spots in between where I had lost interest.

Every individual should read this book because it is a wonderful example of the past history of the world. It allows each person to grasp a better understanding of the Holocaust, and view it in a different perspective than they had before. Also, it allows for the growing of knowledge on this major event which has occurred and is still discussed today.

Night by Elie Wiesel is another great novel which is very relevant to The Hiding Place. It is also about the happenings of the Holocaust, and a boy's journey during the events which he had experienced. Overall, I would rate this novel a four out of five stars due to its powerful message, however it could have been more interesting. The Hiding Place is a great novel in which one should read to gain a better understanding of the Holocaust.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Who Really Suffered During the Holocaust?

We have all heard the story of the holocaust. It was a tragic experience for many and to this day, this black mark on human history haunts the lives of numerous souls. While there are an abundant amount of books about the holocaust, The Hiding Place has a quality in which none of the rest have, or so I have found. It is a story of a dedicated Christian girl living in Holland during the reign of Hitler. While she is initially safe because of her religion and background, her family and her quickly learn how serious it is, to even befriend an undesirable (Jew). The consequences may be worse than death itself.
Since it is non fiction, The Hiding Place is incredibly accurate and descriptive of the true happenings of Corrie Ten Boom's life. I absolutely loved the book. It was filled with every emotion imaginable. I found myself laughing one moment and crying the next. There is truly not much to dislike. If anything, I found myself wanting a more detailed account of what happened in parts. Corrie Ten Boom has done an amazing job at recounting her tale. Being in first person, she captures you and you seem to become a part of the Ten Boom family; sharing with all their joy and pain.
The Hiding Place is a great book for just about any age. Whether just starting high school, or you have children of your own, it is a book that will engage any audience member. The lesson of forgiveness and courage to stand up for your own beliefs is one any person of any age can learn and gain from. To think of how many people suffered though this tragic experience and lived full productive lives is encouraging. I feel I can now face anything life throws at me with just a little faith and determination.
If you enjoy this book or books about or involving the Holocaust, you may also enjoy I Stand at the Door and Knock by Corrie Ten Boom,? A Prisoner and Yet... by Corrie Ten Boom,? and The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank.?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesomely good

This book was very good! like awesomely good! It's about a woman hiding Jews in her house during the holocaust and they get caught. She and her family is taken to prison and later put in a concentration camp. It is a very touching and inspirational story. If you want something to read in a cozy chair one rainy afternoon this is the book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An Amazing Book You Need to Read

In The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, the some of the themes are about love, trusting in God, and having faith. For example, when Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were in a concentration camp there were fleas in the barracks. Bestie says,¿ Thank you for the Fleas. Give thanks in all circumstances. Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.¿ Later on it is shown that Also in the camp Corrie is referring to some medicine and she says,¿¿ in addition to Betsie, others were taking it¿ my instinct was always to hoard it¿but others were ill as well.¿ Then she says, ¿And still, every time I tilted the little bottle, a drop appeared at the top of the stopper.¿ This shows that because Corrie believed in and was obedient to God and had faith, God provided for her in her times of need. Having faith, believing God and love are major morals in The Hiding Place.

A Glimpse Of Light In The Dark

In "The Hiding Place", Corrie Ten Boom weaves a tale that describes the challenges of being Jewish during WWII, but from a Christian perspective. This change in viewpoint is what sets this Holocaust book apart from the others, that and the extraordinary ability for Corrie to remain faithful to her values in the most challenging times possible. The book takes place in Holland, where Corrie's family lives above their watch-making shop, run by her kind hearted and generous father. When WWII comes along, Holland is taken under control by Germany, and Jewish people are in constant danger. When they Ten Booms realized that some of their best friends needed their help, the decided to do anything they could, and that soon escalated into an extremely large underground operation to help keep the Jewish people safe. One of the major themes in the book is that if you remain faithful to your values, that you will be rewarded in the long run. Corrie and her family must go through many trials once they are caught and sent to a concentration camp, but by making the most of each and every situation, no matter how gloomy, and believing that their belief in God's good would prevail, they are able to survive the many challenges hurtled in their direction. While it may not have been the easiest solution to the problem, they were always eventually satisfied with doing the right thing. What I enjoyed about this book was the fact that it was non-fiction. Many stories similar to this one are fiction, and I find myself unsure what was true and what wasn't. In this story, the characters are actual people and the story is an account of what happened by someone who directly experienced it. I also liked this book because it was a new perspective on the Holocaust. Not many books featuring the Holocaust are written by a Christian woman in Holland. The only thing I did not like was that the beginning of the book started out a bit slow; there is a lot that leads up to the action in the story. Overall, I would recommend this book. It is a very descriptive account of how numerous Jews were saved during the Holocaust, all because of the courage of one kind family. I would definitely advise anyone over 12 to read this book, if not for the information on WWII then for a story of compassion, faith, and courage.

Insightful and encouraging

"The Hiding Place" is the story of Corrie Tenboom during WWII. During this time, Corrie and her family took it in their hands to hide Jews from the Nazis. Throughout this story, Corrie shows amazing faith in God throughout her incredible journey. After hiding numerous Jews, and helping them out, the Nazi soldiers catch on to what she's been doing and they capture her and put her into a concentration camp. Throughout this whole story, Corrie loses most of her family members, including her sister Betsie. After Betsie's death, Corrie finds the strength to pray for the Nazis and their wrong doings. In this biography of Corries life, we read about Corries challenge to overcome the hate towards the Nazis for what they did to her family, friends, and Jews. As we all know, it is easy to love the good and hard to love the bad. With the help of God and her sister Betsie, Corrie eventually learns how to love and pray for the evil in this world and that they may eventually see the light. Even after everything Corrie went through in the year she was in the camp, her faith in God never wavered. It was truly amazing, that after everything that happened in Corries life, she never once doubted that someone was looking out for her. Corrie believed that everything happens for a reason, that God has a plan for you, and time and time again it is proven by the way Corrie sees the good outcome in everything that happens to her. You see this as a constant theme throughout the book, Corries good heart and desire to help others no matter where she may be. Though, what amazed me the most in this book was that Corrie still had the goodness in her heart to pray and eventually forgive the German soldiers for their wrong doings. Forgiveness is a tough thing, how are we supposed to forgive someone for what they've done, when they're not sorry? Corrie was an amazing person, and her story can really shed some light on those lacking in compassion. This book, though the story was sad, was surprisingly uplifting and encouraging. I don't think there was a single thing I did not like about this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good read.

Thoroughly Thought Provoking

Ms. Corrie Ten Boom lived through months of nightmarish conditions and treatments but she did so with an attitude of charity and compassion. Her story starts in Holland on February of 1944 when Corrie and her family are arrested by German Nazi's for hiding Jews in their quaint beje on the quiet streets of Haarlem Holland. From there she (Corrie) suffered through humiliating treatment, solitary confinement, unsanitary conditions, multiple concentration camps and the death of numerous family members. Never once did Corrie lose her faith through the cruel realities of war that bombarded her every moment for those long 10 months of imprisonment. She was only able to maintain such optimism through her steady Christian faith, which is a constant theme throughout the entire book, "Every experience God gives us. is the perfect preparation for the future only he can see." (Corrie Ten Boom) she found peace in every situation and brought it to others through her nightly bible reading and insightful knowledge of the Lords hand in her life. This is one of the reasons that I adored the book so much. It thought me how to see the world with an optimistic attitude. I found that she captivated me and I followed her emotional rollercoaster through Holland and then Germany as she overcame her trials and lifted others from theirs. One trial that she faced was after she was released and working on rehabilitating not only the released prisoners but also the guards "Strangely enough, it was not the Germans or the Japanese that people had the most trouble forgiving; it was their fellow Dutchmen who had sided with the enemy." (Ten Boom, The Hiding Place pg. 246). Forgiveness, Forgiveness was one of Corrie's hardest trials and a major theme in the novel. No matter what happens or what people do to us, we can always dig deep enough inside of ourselves and find the strength to forgive them, that in and of itself is a reason why every person should read this book. Not only does the book teach the crucial principals of faith and forgiving, it is and accurate first person account of the horrors that took place in concentration camps during World War II. The only thing that I did not like in the book was how it started off slow in the beginning. Regardless of that, I would highly recommend this book to every person. Some other recommended books that have similar themes are: An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Before my Heart Stops by Paul Cardall.

A real take on a real situation.

The Hiding Place captures the essence of perseverance in a Christian family, who risk their lives to protect Jewish people during Hitler's reign. This story emulates dedication, especially times when sisters Corrie and Betsie have to remain collected despite the fact that German soldiers could barge into their home at any time. The Ten Boom's strength in God is what carries them through these struggles. I enjoyed hearing about the many blessings from God that the Ten Boom's received throughout the story. It proves that faith in God can carry one through anything.

Reading about the filthy concentration camps make one feel like they are in the presence of Corrie Ten Boom: forced to strip down to no clothing at all and walk through the line of women, under the snobbish stare of the German soldiers. When Corrie was on the train to Ravensburk, one of the camps, she was forced into the back corner of a train, so full of women, an ant could not make it from one side of the train to the other. The long journey there was limited to the intake of solely bread. Only the women near the door got to drink the small amount of water that was given to them by the German soldiers.

The actual hiding place of the story was in Corrie's room. The hiding place, made merely by building a fake wall only a couple feet outward of the actual wall, provided one small strip of safety to the Jewish people living in the Beje (their home). A drill was put in order in the case of an intrusion: the Jewish people in the household hastened up to the hiding place as Corrie, Betsie and their father tried to make the appearance of the Beje inconspicuous. The hiding place in the Beje was so confidential and unnoticeable, it was said to have been made by the devil himself.

The Ten Boom's were forced to perfect every tactic of hiding Jewish people as they dug deeper and deeper into the underground movement to protect the Jewish people. They had to be careful about what they said, because they did not know who could be trusted in this new, crazy world they were living in.

Overall, this is a great read for someone interested in a very involved story of this time period. I would recommend The Diary of Anne Frank if you like this book because it is also a true story in the time frame of the Holocaust, but a different perspective. Five stars for an emotional story of devotion, and the reality of Corrie Ten Boom.

Out of the Ordinary

This book is an autobiography of Corrie Ten Boom. It was placed in Germany during World War II. Corrie lived with her family in a small house that was connected to their watch shop. The first part of this book is about her family and how they lived and interacted with each other. But as the war continued the Tem Boom family started hiding Jews in their house. The rest of the book contains information on Corrie's experience in the Nazi concentration camps. As I read this book, it inspired me to appreciate things that I have. Throughout the whole book Corrie is an exceptional character. She has such love for the world around her and is so grateful for every little thing she has. Even when she is in danger she helps others and is optimistic. I loved reading this especially since it was so fascinating and exciting. This book was sad but that is what makes the story so real and gives a good perspective of the time period. Obviously some major themes were to be optimistic and discrimination. The Jews and people helping them were judged and put in concentration camps but another important theme was faith. Corrie was a Christian and she always stressed the idea that God will protect you and do the best thing for you. One of the most important messages this book displays is to love everyone. Corrie has compassion for every person she meets. Even when she is being punished or hurt, she feels sad for someone other than herself. I would recommend this book to anyone. Even if you don't like nonfiction it is a great book. This book exemplifies important themes and is thought-provoking in a historic and social way. It displays the history of Germany in this time, while describing the social impact and specific stories of people suffering through this time. One of the things I particularly liked about this copy of the book was the added items. These were the pictures and the timeline and genealogy in the story. My favorite part of the book was the very end when it told about what happened after. This was remarkable and was a good ending to the book. I loved this book and I think anyone would enjoy the amazing story of Corrie Tem Boom.

Great book :)

I think this is a good book that describes the struggles that a person encounters during a hard time, like the Holocaust. Corrie ten Boom is a strong woman who is able to tell the world about what happened to her during her life when she was having troubles. I give her a lot of credit to be able to tell others about something that tore her life apart like this. This book is a heads up to all people that just when you think things are normal, they can throw you for a loop.

An Inspiring Must Read!

The Hiding Place is a true story written by Corrie Ten Boom and John Scherill. It was published on October 28, 1984. This book is intended for any reader who loves uplifting historical fiction. Although the book is not written flawlessly, the message it contains makes up for it. It is the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, and their struggle to survive the Holocaust while doing the right thing. The hiding place takes place in Germany in the height of World War II. Corrie Ten Boom had firsthand experience with the Nazis and Jewish and non-Jewish Germans. As a result this book is based ofn real events and people. Ten Boom's book is a realistic reperesentation of the holocaust and the horrible effect it had on so many people, but also how individuals grew through it.
Corrie and Betsie both go to the concentration camps, but they learn and experience different things. They are represented realistically, with their faults and their strengths. This is the kind of book that makes you want to be better because of the great example of the characters. The strength that the sisters have is inspiring and hopeful.
The major themes in The Hiding Place are selfless sacrifice, charity and forgiveness. The Ten Booms struggle to protect despairing Jews from the Gestapo while putting their lives on the line. Their faith in God keeps them from letting fear get in their way. It is the story of Corrie's experience with the Nazis and their victims, but more fully it is the story of her journey toward emulating Christ's character in all situations.
This is an amazing book that I reccomend to all readers.

My favorite book of all time - I give it to friends often

This book gives me something new each time I read it. The lessons here are simple truths. They are intertwined in a story that deals with difficult times that broke many - but lifted Corrie Ten Boom's eyes to God and developed her loving perspective. I return to this book again and again whenever I feel the need to be inspired and comforted.

Check it out!

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is an emotional story where a family's faith is tested through many trieals during the holocaust. A family of watch makers have always kept an open home. When they are asked to hide Jews during the occupation of Germany in Holland they gladly take them in and provide the necesities for safety of others during the occupation. Corrie, the narrarator and main character of the story, relays memories of the troubling yet fufilling experience. After being caught by the Gestapo, the family is taken to a concentration camps where they endured many hardships. Corrie is the lone survivor and strives to complete her sisters wishes with the help of God. This book was appealing due to the fact that although her faith was tested time and time again Corrie built a stronger foundation in the Lord. A story of forgiving those who have wronged others and being the light in the darkest of places shows that in any adversity one can conquer anything with the guidance of God. This novel portrays what life during the holocaust was like and what many inocent people had to endure because of the Nazi revolution. The Hiding Place is definately worth checking out!

A Moving and Inspirational Story!

The Hiding Place is a very moving book. It teaches many values and reminds us how much pain and sadness many people had to go through in that time in history. The Jews were so persecuted by the Nazis that it blows my mind.
This book was very informative and inspirational. It was a personal account told by Corrie Ten Boom who was the main character. Corrie Ten Boom was an amazing woman who always helped others. She was forgiving to all. She was a woman who sacrificed much for the people she knew, the people she only recognized, and often times complete strangers whom she had never met. She was very smart and forgiving. She risked her life on multiple occasions but saved so many lives. She chose to help others and provide homes for the homeless, food for the hungry, money for the poor, and a "hiding place" for many who were in need of a safe haven at the time. I often think about what I would have done in her situation. Would I have given my money and food to a complete stranger? Would I have opened up my home to a person in need? Would I have risked my safety and life to help save the life of another human being? I am sure that most people would not do as Corrie did for fear of their lives and the lives of their family. Not only did Corrie Ten Boom provide things such as food money and shelter, she also provided hope, love, and forgiveness. These things were a big part of her character. She forgave everyone no matter what they did to her and her family. That forgiveness and love helped so many. She was known as a beacon of light, love, and safety in a world that was lacking in all three. She was a very religious woman who never wavered in her faith and love towards everyone.
She gives a first hand account on what happened in that terrible time. The Hiding Place is written with amazing detail and Corrie Ten Boom gives expresses great feeling and love and forgiveness to all who read her book. She makes it feel like you are there with her, experiencing all the struggles right next to her! All throughout her life all she did was help other people. Even after she was captured and thrown into prison she still helped the people that were around her. Through all her experiences and trials Corrie learned to count her many blessings and to always be thankful for what she had. There was a part in the story when Corrie and her sister were moved to the Ravensbruk Concentration Camp and their cabin was infested with fleas. Corrie felt bitter and angry about the fleas but her sister reminded her that she must be thankful for everything, even the fleas. Corrie then told her sister that she would never be thankful for the fleas. The two sisters later came to find that they were not being watched as closely by the guards because the guards wouldn't go in their cabin because of the fleas. I love this because it shows that no matter how difficult and unfair trials may seem, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. Even if it means that you are grateful for fleas. Another example of Corrie's amazing character is after the war when she meets the man who originally betrayed her family to the Nazis. She felt no resentment towards the man. Only love and forgiveness. She helped others come to find that same love and forgiveness towards others too. Corrie Ten Boom continues to help people today by her book the Hiding Place. I want everyone to read this book so they too can personally witness the true meaning of love through Corrie Ten Boom

A Look into the Hiding Place

The Hiding Place was a real page turner. It was about Corrie Ten Boom and her family how they went from a little Dutch family to a victim of Hitler and his concentration camps. The theme of this book was that with God you can do anything. In this book her family got though all that was thrown at them with the help of God. Their faith in God is incredible and we can all learn from them. This is a good read is you are feeling a lack of faith or if you just want to hear a amazing story of Gods awesomeness. But one thing I did not like about this book was how slow it took to started out. But once it got into the swing I couldn't put it down. I would totally recommend this book to anyone if search of a good read. Overall this book had a awesome story a good plot and a great theme. But it took awhile to get started and it was and at time I got confused. So I would give this book a 9 out of 10.

The Hiding Place with a place to read

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten boom is a highly recommended book for anyone who wants to appreciate life more. The book takes place during WWII in Holland. The book is based off of Corrie Ten Boom's life during the Haulocost and how she survived. She was not a Jew herself but her and her family had sympathy for the Jews and there situation so they take in Jews temporarily and help them escape the war. The Nazis found out that she was hiding Jews and took her and her family to a concentration camp. Amazingly she survived and wrote this book. The book was well written and an easy read since it was interesting. The Hiding place is one of the few no-fiction books with and interesting story behind it which made it a good book. Overall the book was enjoyable and a book I would recommend to pretty much anyone.

When Darkness Consumes, God's light still shines

As the book progresses from a normal life, to life in the terrible trenches of a concentration camp during Hitler's reign of Nazi Germany, Corrie Ten Boom, never loses hope. Even at a young age she is brought up in faith, and when things are hard to turn to God, and she does just that. It starts as the early years of Corrie's life, but then skips to later in life, when she is around the age of forty, unmarried, and still lives with her entire family. As she helps her father with his watch/clock shop, she takes another responsibility upon her and her family's lives, the responsibility, and huge risk of hiding the Jews from Nazi officers. Now although they were not Jews themselves, word was spread of their underground operations, and German officers arrest them and station them st a concentration camp, because of the large penalty for being or helping a Jew at this point in history. When all hope seems to be lost, Corrie turns to the Lord, and there she finds solitude. She starts preaching the word of God, even in different languages, has bible groups, and even hides her own bible in a pouch on her back, so not detected by Nazi officers, even though having a Jewish bible was considered a crime. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially one who wants to appreciate life more, and who is strong, or wishes to be stronger in faith. I love how Corrie writes without mercy in this book and tells every detail and does not hold back no matter how gruesome or horrific. This is one of the great Holocaust books that shows even the struggle of those who were not even Jews, but still discriminated against even though they were of the Jewish faith. Anyone who believes that God's love does not shine, even when consumed in darkness should not read this book, and for anyone who believes the Holocaust never really took place, this is a definite must read. For those of you looking for a good read, this is the book for you. I recommend this book for ages 13+ or even sooner for those advanced readers out there. Take caution however, for this book will cause even the strongest of people to be struck down to the core and really take another look at your life and your faith.

A Wholesome and Heartfelt Story

The heartfelt story of The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom first takes place in Haarlem, Holland, in an old watch shop, where a widowed father and his 2 spinster daughters-Corrie and her sister Bestie- live. Corrie tells about her childhood growing up in a very wholesome and Christian family that reaches their generous arms out to their whole community. As World War II hits, the Ten Booms find out that many of their neighbors and friends are Jewish. Soon they find themselves hiding Jews in their house and working as some of the most courageous and unexpected hands in the underground. Later they get caught, without knowing if their Jewish residents are safe in the small hiding place in the top corner of their house. The sisters become prisoners in some of the most horrific concentration camps during World War II, but they stick together. Even through some of the most heartbreaking trials, they not only keep their strong faith in God, but through His grace become radiant lights in the darkest of places. As a Christian (Catholic, actually) I really enjoyed this book and took the characters to heart. I enjoyed learning about their beautiful and wholesome upbringing. I especially loved reading the beginning, about her childhood and her family. When reading, I was dreading coming to the part where the sisters go to the concentration camps, but because of their strength and courage I was even more touched when I did read it. In fact, I enjoyed reading this book so much; I don't think there was anything I didn't like about it. I could see though, that this book would be difficult to grasp for those who are not Christian. But I encourage anyone to read this book if they are looking for a wholesome book that is full of life and love. As a teenager, I found it interesting that I could relate so well to Corrie, a woman old enough to be my grandmother, in her character and struggles. She was not a perfect person, but only human. She was simply herself, but she strived to be the best person she could with the grace of God. I am in complete awe of her sister, Bestie, who truly had a heart full of love. Bestie wanted most to help the poor souls, and at first Corrie thought that these souls were the Jews in the camp with them, but soon she found out that these poor souls were the cruel and hateful guards of their prison. The book shows a vivid image of the holocaust, but from the point of view of two little Christian ladies. This book is definitely one of my new favorite books. I would give this book 5 out of 5 points.

A Story of Strong Faith

I found this book to be one of the most interesting books I've ever read. The story starts by taking you all the way to Holland right before the start of World War 2 and ends at the same location but at a different time period. Inbetween the start and end we travel through all of Corrie Ten Boom's life. The main focus of her life being held in a concentration camp where she goes through many hard trageties. It is around these trageties that the main theme of the book found. I believe that the true theme of Corrie's novel was to show us that we do not always have to carry our own burdens and troubles; we can turn them over to God and he can carry them for us. Corrie's father first shows her this when she was a little girl. They are on a train traveling home from town one day and Corrie's father asks her to pick up his breifcase for her and carry it off the train. "Its too heavey for me," Corrie explains as she tries to pick it up. Her father shows her that with God it is the same way. If we have a briefcase that is too heavy for us to carry, then God will carry it for us. Corrie continues to learn this lesson as she faces terrible cicumstances too heavy for her to carry on her own at the concentration camp. I love this part of the book. I take great pleasure in realizing that I don't have to go through life all on my own and I love the fact that I have now spread the message onto all of you. The scenes I do not care for as much would most likly be reading how much pain Corrie has to go through. If you are a person who has a very touching heart I would advice you to read this but skip over the sad, cruel parts; everyone should read this book. It can change the way you view obstacles in your path. My personal over-all rating of this book is that it is definately a book worth reading. I hope you all love it!