There are stories, fortunately not a few, of brave families in France, Holland, Norway, Poland, and even in Germany hiding Jews from the SS and SA. Most were Christians, although some were not, but in this case there was no doubt. The story of faith in action that costs, and costs the ultimate price of suffering, torture and death reminds us that a true walk with God may not always take one where one had in mind. Yet even with all this contrast to life in most of the West, and contrast with the Nazi cloud of the day, the silver lining shines through this story with the compassion, love and forgives of Corrie's sister, Betsy, and with the humanity that triumphs only by God's grace through Corrie ten Boom. If you haven't read it you'll probably be surprised at how inspiring a story about life in World War II can be.

The story of Corrie ten Boom and her family and their work in the Dutch underground during World War II has been around 35 years but this is the first time I've sat down to read this amazing story. I am so glad I did! Built on the premise that love will conquer all, the story shows what relatively normal people can accomplish in extraordinary times.

Miss ten Boom begins her story with the family's background as the owners of an humble watch repair shop. Beginning this way allows us to understand how little the ten Booms expected their lives to change, and how drastically things did change once their decision to help the local Jews was made. Becoming a part of the Dutch underground might sound glamorous, but the reality of it was that it was dangerous and frightening when people's lives were held in the hands of everyday people. The ten Booms actually had several Jews who lived with them, as well as countless others who they helped find safe places. Miss ten Boom and her family were very religious and this is a primary theme of the story; they constantly show the power of God's love in their lives through the decisions they made and the stand they took in order to save strangers from death.

This is an inspiring book on so many levels. The relationship the ten Booms had with God is phenomenal, especially in the face of so much tragedy, yet they never wavered in their faith. The "miracles" that took place show God's guidance in their lives as well as providing concrete proof of His plans for them. The fact that the family constantly thought of others and sacrificed so much reverberates throughout. It is impossible to read this story and not be moved. While it is Christian in theme, this book does not feel overly preachy; Miss ten Boom gives the facts and allows the reader to feel the love and belief in a higher power. Highly recommended.

In Corrie Ten Boom's book "The Hiding Place", she gives an exciting account of how during the terrifying years of the Holocaust and World War 11 her entire family strove to hide as many Jews as they could from Nazi forces.

This is a life filled with bravery, courage, and most of all COMPASSION. As I flipped the pages, I was increasingly amazed by Corrie and her family's unshakeable belief in God and how this very belief gave them the incredible courage to hide Jewish individuals in their home/watch repair business in Holland during the most hellish years of the war.

As their world and country around them transformed with the evil the Nazi invaders wrought, Corrie and the Ten Booms stayed on the path they felt God meant for them to be on. The penalty of hiding Jews during World War 11 was great for them such as imprisonment and death in the concentration camps. Amazingly enough, they persevered under the worst of circumstances to provide a safe haven for the Jews in their home referred to simply as the "Beje".

Unfortunately, their daring rescue missions were discovered by the Nazis and the Ten Booms were all imprisoned in the worst of jails and later, the two sisters in the infamous Ravensbruck concentration camp. However, amidst the cold, hunger, and despair these two strong women endured, their faith in God and belief in what they were doing ever constant.

One of the strongest impressions I got from this powerful account is the resistance the Ten Boom sisters had from becoming embittered during their imprisonment. Their compassion while experiencing such intense evil is very awe-inspiring, one of my favorite parts being the story Corrie Ten Boom writes of her sister Betsie sharing her tiny bottle of desperately needed medicine with fellow sick prisoners.

Bottom line, if you want to read a book about the breadth of human compassion, love, and resistance in the face of unspeakable evil, I highly recommend Corrie Ten Boom's beautiful memoir "The Hiding Place". Corrie Ten Boom will always be remembered as one of the bravest heroines in modern history.

This is a beautiful, beautiful book. I could read it over and over, and feel touched, inspired, and renewed again. I first tried to read it when I was about twelve years old, but it was two heavy for me. Then I read it a few months ago, and it came alive. This is one book I would definately want to add to my library soon. I love the Ten Boom family - especially Betsy. I am looking forward to meeting them all in heaven someday.