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Summary: Amazing story of a family's resistance against the Nazis
Review: This is an amaizing story of the Ten Boom family's participation in helping Jewish refugees during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Corrie wrote many books after this one, but this is by far the most famous. Billy Graham's organization made a movie out of this story during the 1970's with the same title. This is the story of a family of devout Christians who did all they could to help those in need when they were facing the terrible occupation of their country during World War Two. There are many memorable parts of the book, but one of my favorites is when a prison Lieutenant is discussing with Corrie the value of mentally retarded children. Corrie and her sister had done work with retarded children as part of their church work. The Lieutenant told her that surely God did not value a "half-wit as much as a normal person." The response by Corrie was, "How would I know if God does not value a half-wit more than he does a watchmaker (Corrie's profession). Or, even a Lieutenant." That response by Corrie ended their conversation. That is one of the passages that has stuck with me, along with many others. This book brings to mind that there are many people right now, that are suffering, or imprisoned, for their religious beliefs, and makes that fact more real.
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Summary: Soooo beautiful.
Review: 'The Hiding Place' primarily covers the wartime period of Corrie's life ('In My Father's House' covers the pre-war years,whilst 'Tramp for the Lord' covers the post-war years - all three books are wonderful).
I am hard-pressed to adequately convey how powerful and moving 'The Hiding Place' is - it would take a heart of stone not to be thoroughly impacted and melted by this incredible combination of beauty,tragedy and victory.
Right from the getgo Corrie draws you into her world.By the time you have been taken from the warmth of her childhood,through her family's courageous wartime efforts,and onto the horror of her and sister Betsie's experience at Ravensbruck you will have been on an overwhelmingly emotional rollercoaster : a certain point in the book had the tears running down my cheeks,and by the end i gave a repeat performance !!!!
I think this book goes hand in hand with 'The heavenly man' by Paul Hattaway,in being two of the most beautiful,powerful and life-changing biographys available.
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Summary: THE best book you'll read this summer
Review: First written in 1971, The Hiding Place has, through both critical acclaim and word of mouth of the masses, achieved both certifiable classic status and a revered place in the hearts of its readers. And, I might add, for good reason. Although written in 1st person novel form from the perspective of the selflessly valiant Cornelia ten Boom, it is, of course, the true story of one family's almost unfathomable degree of limitless giving and unwavering altruism that saved many of lives during the nihilistic hate-filled Nazi regime in Holland, where the Gestapo as well as Dutch collaborators were pervasively ubiquitous and inexorably replete with hate and ineluctably devoid of both reason and love.While reading, I felt a veritable melange of emotions running the gamut from sadness, anger, despair, and hope. Thanks to the wonderful writing, you feel like you're reading a novel -- although one that is all too harrowing and real. As Betsie quotes the Bible and says, "Give thanks in all circumstances," she subsequently says "Thanks for the fleas" -- a moment that demonstrated that God DOES work in mysterious ways. Without giving away anything that happens, I strongly exhort you to read The Hiding Place -- a book that stays with you long after you have turned the last page. "No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still."
- Betsie ten Boom
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Summary: A veritable laugh riot
Review: I was walking my dog and reading The Hiding Place and I thought why I am being sad. I should be glad and happy because the story is happy if you think about it you know. So I started laughing at the awesome stuff that Corrie does and says when she's helping the Jews. In summation, it's better to laugh than to cry. At least, that is, to Joseph O'Brien.
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Summary: THE OLIVE TREES THAT STAND IN SILENCE-N. Shemer
Review: THE POWER OF DARKNESS-Luke 22:52-53 Christ's words at His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane: "Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: BUT THIS IS YOUR HOUR, AND THE POWER OF DARKNESS." Corrie Ten Boom has a tree planted in her name along the avenue of the Righteous of the Nations at Yad Vashem, Israel's Shoah Memorial. The avenue and trees are all dedicated to non-jews who saved jewish lives during the Nazi regime. Holland was invaded by Hitler's troops on May 10, 1940. The Ten Boom family lived in Haarlem and spent several years hiding jews, working to get them safely out of Hitler's occupied territory. Her sister Betsie urged her sister before dying at Ravensbruke "...must tell people what we have learned here...They will listen to us because we have been here." Let's hope that those who still refuse to listen, will reconsider the testimonies of these silent trees.
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