I first read this book when I was at school, and found it powerful and moving - I read it at least once a year for three years. When I came across it recently in a second-hand book shop I had to buy it, and time has not diminished this amazing and inspiring story.
Written by Corrie ten Boom (with John and Elizabeth Sherrill), it tells of how her life as the youngest daughter of a devoutly Christian watchmaking family in Haarlem, Holland, led to the role she and her family played as leaders of the Dutch underground during World War 2. Older brother Willem, a minister, ran a nursing home that housed Jews, while Corrie (then in her mid-forties), older sister Betsie, and their father, sheltered Jews in a hidden room in Corrie's bedroom. The whole family was arrested and imprisoned in Holland, where her father died, before being transported to Ravensbruck concentration camp, where Betsie died.
Miss ten Boom's writing is lucid, lyric and uplifting. During her incarceration she was inspired not only by her faith but by the example of her parents (her mother died before the invasion of Holland) and her truly saintly (but not prissy) beloved sister.
It is surprising to me that ten Boom is not as well known as Anne Frank, whose diary is less interesting and moving than this brilliant book. I know, she was young, it was tragic... but this is better. - Alex
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