The Hidding Place

by Corrie ten Boom

Genres: School, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1971

About the author

Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who were active in social work in their home town of Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to act out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo out of the country. It is estimated they were able to save the lives of 800 Jews, in addition to protecting underground workers.

On Feb. 28, 1944, they were betrayed and Corrie and several relatives were arrested. The four Jews and two underground workers in the house at the time of the arrest were not located by the Nazis and were extricated by the underground 47 hours after they fled to the tiny hiding place (located in Corrie's room).

The ten Boom family members were separated and transferred to concentration camps. Corrie was allowed to stay with her precious sister, Betsy. Corrie's father (Casper), her sister (Betsy) and one grandchild (Kik) perished. Corrie was released in December of 1944.

These acts of heroism and sacrifice became the foundation for Corrie ten Boom's global writing and speaking career which began after she was released.

Ten Boom has received numerous awards for her writing and speaking. Notably, she was honored by the State of Israel for her work in aid of the Jewish people by being invited to plant a tree in the famous Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, near Jerusalem. She was also knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of her work during the war, and a museum in the Dutch city of Haarlem is dedicated to her and her family.

Reviews

[Janessa Raichart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this thought provoking story. Definitely an easy read. Would recommend an older audience but not overly graphic. Corrie showed the struggles of human nature and how to over come them thru Christ.

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books! Reminds me of Christs love in the darkest of times.

[Susan Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year of 1937 was a time of peace and innocence. The ten Boom watch shop was celebrating it's 100th year in business. Casper ten Boom, the owner of the shop, was a very exacting man in his shop and in his private life. Each morning at the same time Casper came down to breakfast and read a portion of scripture from the Bible to his family and as the day ended another passage was read. Then things began to change. Germany invaded Holland and Jews were taken to prison. The ten Booms took in and hid as many Jews as they could. Then they were caught and arrested. All the prisoners had to live in filth, starved, and were severally beaten.
Corrie and her sister Betsie ten Boom believed strongly in the power of God as they went through the horror of the holocaust. Betsie died in prison. Her faith was very strong and carried the family through this black time. Corrie was released by a clerical error or was it the hand of God? Anyone doubting there is a God should read this book.

[Sara Stopulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best book I’ve ever read! SO impactful. Will probably reread.

[Kelsey Cornelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book club book, She was a true hero who went through the unimaginable and still found strength to help those in need

[George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I respect how the author describes her experience trying to hide from the Nazi’s, which was an awful experience. I learned a lot from this book. I learned how to always treat people kindly no matter if they are your best friend or enemy. If you are interested in learning about how the Nazi’s invasions impacted people’s lives during World War ll I highly recommend you reading this book.

[Jerry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story, that if we didn’t know this sort of thing actually happened, would be too crazy to be believable as a fiction book. As I was reading I kept thinking that if this book was a dystopian future book that the things in it would be too crazy to believe. But it did happen. The book really shows the power of faith and love and that meeting anger and hate with more of the same just leads to more problems.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A book that at times had tears running down my face and a new thought process in faith. The book can transport you back in time to feel the desperation in choices that were made in a very difficult time period! The how and why of helping someone at the expense of personal expense and even own life. This is a moving book that I think everyone should read to understand the people who gave so much and didn’t have to.

[Shyloh Osmun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal story of faith and fortitude throughout one of the most horrifying times in history. Corrie’s story was so beautifully told and I was amazed with the way her family relied on faith in God and continued to be kind even as they were treated so horribly during the Nazi occupation.

[Ana Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of reading this book. It’s very inspiring and hopeful. As hard as WWII was it’s always good to remember that some people were against Nazism and sacrified wherever they have to make a difference and help others, despite the risks.

[Ruth Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Very well written.

[Amy Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an example of faith and how we are to treat people and admire everything created by GOD.

[Lowell AfdahlRice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on a flight from Boston to Oakland. Couldn’t put it down.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too preachy. Had the emphasis been on experiences it would not have seemed to have an agenda.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book ,so moving!

[Caleb Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book , I can't believe it took me this long to read it

[Conniecardoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was a beautiful story about survival and love for Jesus. More religious than historical.

[Susanna Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a life changing book My all time favorite book

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book that increases my faith.

[Chyanne Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4:2026 🕊️

[Sienna Harrelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

literally the best most interesting most incredible book i’ve ever read! her story is so inspiring and i just loveddd this book so much!

[Chloe Gunnoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hiding Place is a deeply personal and moving memoir that shares Corrie ten Boom’s extraordinary courage and faith during one of history’s darkest moments. From the very first page, I felt completely captivated by her honest and heartfelt storytelling—I read it in just a week. Corrie’s intimate portrayal of her family’s unwavering commitment to hiding Jews from the Nazis made their bravery feel incredibly real and relatable.

What touched me most was Corrie’s raw and personal faith journey throughout the book. Her bond with her sister Betsie added a beautiful layer of warmth, even as their circumstances grew increasingly desperate. Corrie’s openness about fear, hope, and forgiveness made her story feel less like a distant history and more like a deeply human experience.

The turning point came with her time in Ravensbrück, a harsh concentration camp that tested her spirit like nothing else. Despite everything, Corrie’s faith remained steadfast. Her resilience, paired with moments of quiet grace and unexpected kindness, transformed the memoir into a powerful testament to the strength found in forgiveness and love.

Corrie’s writing is simple yet profound—never sensationalized—giving a genuine look into her struggles and victories. This book didn’t just inform me; it touched my heart and inspired my own walk with the Lord, helping me find peace in Him once more.

The Hiding Place is more than a memoir—it’s a heartfelt reminder of faith, hope, and compassion that stays with you long after the last page. I’m deeply grateful to have read such a personal and inspiring story.