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The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom
Pam Roswell Moore had her doubts when she interviewed to be companion of the much-loved author Corrie ten Boom. Corrie's best-selling book The Hiding Place, which recounted how she and her family had hidden Jews during World War II in Holland until their betrayal and arrest by the Nazis, had launched for Corrie a worldwide ministry of travel and speaking. Awed by the spiritual challenge this companionship posed, Pam wondered how she could keep up with the energetic 83-year-old. But God knit a strong bond between the young Englishwoman and the remarkable Dutch evangelist. Then Corrie suffered a stroke. Hospitalization followed; physical therapy; then long, loving hours at home. Corrie regained a little mobility for a time -- until the next strokes hit. She never regained her speech. But the ministry that had touched millions continued as Corrie communicated through her eyes, through elaborate guessing games with those around her, through silent intercession for people God brought to mind. For those five silent years of imprisonment, Corrie's spiritual depth offered mute testimony to her ongoing trust in her heavenly Father. The details of these years will move all who loved Corrie ten Boom. They will encourage those involved with the elderly or handicapped -- and those who are themselves bedridden -- that God is at work mysteriously in and through even the most incapacitated. This book attests to the truth Corrie loved so dearly: that, in spite of everything else, Jesus is always Victor.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 27, 2019
A True Servant of God
As a Christian speaker myself, I read this book to see how someone who traveled speaking about the Lord could handle five years of silence following a stroke. I am blind, but to lose the art of communication seemed unbearable. Through this author, I learned more about serving and giving. The greatest lesson I have found is that God can use anyone in any situation for His glory. An amazing must read for all.
As a Christian speaker myself, I read this book to see how someone who traveled speaking about the Lord could handle five years of silence following a stroke. I am blind, but to lose the art of communication seemed unbearable. Through this author, I learned more about serving and giving. The greatest lesson I have found is that God can use anyone in any situation for His glory. An amazing must read for all.
February 14, 2017
This story, written by Corrie's companion about my favorite author and mentor, is the life-changing story of the last 5 years of Corrie's life. All caregivers should read this book!
September 10, 2010
Another beautiful description of the life of Corrie ten Boom and her continued ministry in her "golden years." The book is written with her caretaker's view of both Corrie's new ministry as well as her own journey to help Corrie. I was moved by the examples of servant hood, surrender/submission, faith, trust, positive attitude, deep fellowship with the Lord even in the midst of trials. It was also encouraging to see how God orchestrated and provided for them during this season of their lives. Corrie continues to inspire readers even after her death.
Book Club Discussion Part 1 on 6/22/10. Topics included: how God lead Pam to prepare for the future, in her old age she was looking at a new ministry rather than retirement, being willing to subject own will to His, significance of dreams, her humorous side, God's provision financially, book comparison (Hiding Place vs. 5 Silent Years), Pam's similarities to Martha, servant hood, submission, weaver poem, and constant delight in the Lord.
Book Club Discussion Part 2 on 7/6/10. Topics included: her character unchanged, attitude, adversity (struggle vs. opportunity), strength for the long haul, how our worth is determined, spiritual warfare, Heaven's gate (He delights to see us), the significance of dreams, and Matthew 5:1,12.
Book Club Discussion Part 1 on 6/22/10. Topics included: how God lead Pam to prepare for the future, in her old age she was looking at a new ministry rather than retirement, being willing to subject own will to His, significance of dreams, her humorous side, God's provision financially, book comparison (Hiding Place vs. 5 Silent Years), Pam's similarities to Martha, servant hood, submission, weaver poem, and constant delight in the Lord.
Book Club Discussion Part 2 on 7/6/10. Topics included: her character unchanged, attitude, adversity (struggle vs. opportunity), strength for the long haul, how our worth is determined, spiritual warfare, Heaven's gate (He delights to see us), the significance of dreams, and Matthew 5:1,12.
July 16, 2024
A healthy, godly glimpse into the challenges and joys of servanthood from Corrie’s last companion.
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October 15, 2008This book actually started me on the road to reading. It is inspiring. I actually read this book before The Hiding Place. It is written by her assistant who walked a journey with Ms Ten Boom that was filled with lots of miracles.
May 26, 2022
Found this book in a thrift store and so glad I did. I have read many books by Corrie Ten Boom and this story in a sense completed her story. The dedication of her companions was extraordinary but then she was an extraordinary woman. He faith and resolve through her final years left a very special legacy and witness to her strength from God.
January 29, 2024
Since first reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom I have been in awe of her faith and courage and humility. After reading The Five Silent Years about the end of Tante Corrie’s life, I am even more amazed by such great faith. However, I can imagine that she would not want me to be amazed at her but at her Savior. This is at once a beautiful yet agonizing story of Tante Corrie being imprisoned a second time, but this time in her own body after suffering a series of strokes. The beauty is in her still apparent love for her Savior and for the people around her that she continues to minister to even in her physical impairment. God’s love and sovereignty shine through even a physically old, weak and broken vessel who is willing and obedient.
December 3, 2025
After listening again to Hiding Place, Watchmaker's Daughter, and previously Tramp for the Lord, this book was very helpful in sharing how Corrie's life ended. The honesty of Pamela and sharing what it meant for her to be a caretaker, and how the Lord used that to minister to her I appreciate hearing.
If you're interested into learning more about Corrie Ten Boom, definitely recommend.
If you're interested into learning more about Corrie Ten Boom, definitely recommend.
August 12, 2023
This is probably closer to a 4 star book, but I can’t give a book about Corrie anything less than 5 stars. In some ways I felt like I got to “know” Corrie more in this book than I have in other ones, possibly because it was from someone else’s perspective. And it confirmed what I already knew: to know Corrie is to love her. I didn’t know much about the last few years of her life, and was somewhat surprised at how emotional reading about her stroke and subsequent years or silence was. It didn’t seem fair, somehow, that someone with so much to offer and who had already been through so much, should be silenced. But Corrie handled even that with grace, and patiently waited until she could at last see her Savior face to face.
August 4, 2017
As a Corrie Ten Boom fan I really enjoyed this book written by her caretaker. Corrie's story and her love for the Lord are so inspiring. The author wrote in a way that honored her memory and was able to weave her own personal story with Corrie's.
January 22, 2025
“Her lips could no longer say, ‘Jesus is victor,’ but her life could, and it did.”
Any book by or about “Tante” (“Aunt” in Dutch) Corrie ten Boom is a combination of encouraging, convicting, uplifting, and humbling. Reading about the final years of her life through the viewpoint of her companion/assistant who cared for her in the capacity of nurse - a role that she didn’t “sign up for” and didn’t fully understand in the midst of those years how God could use, grow, and prepare her for events in her future - through much of that time led to a lot of introspection on my part and a call to reflect on one of the main themes of this book: Our times are in God’s hands.
“We began to see that suffering and glory were strongly related in the Bible and in the lives of Christians through the centuries…had the Lord allowed her to come into the state of silence, helplessness, and utter dependence on Himself in order to show her more of His glory? We became more sensitive to watch for God’s handiwork in this suffering, wondering how this seemingly endless situation was going to work out in conformity with His nature of goodness and love. We thought of Tante Corrie’s attitude; it was saying to us that though she did not like to suffer, seeing it had come to her, she was not fighting it; she was accepting it, believing that somehow He was going to turn it into freedom and glory in His time.”
Any book by or about “Tante” (“Aunt” in Dutch) Corrie ten Boom is a combination of encouraging, convicting, uplifting, and humbling. Reading about the final years of her life through the viewpoint of her companion/assistant who cared for her in the capacity of nurse - a role that she didn’t “sign up for” and didn’t fully understand in the midst of those years how God could use, grow, and prepare her for events in her future - through much of that time led to a lot of introspection on my part and a call to reflect on one of the main themes of this book: Our times are in God’s hands.
“We began to see that suffering and glory were strongly related in the Bible and in the lives of Christians through the centuries…had the Lord allowed her to come into the state of silence, helplessness, and utter dependence on Himself in order to show her more of His glory? We became more sensitive to watch for God’s handiwork in this suffering, wondering how this seemingly endless situation was going to work out in conformity with His nature of goodness and love. We thought of Tante Corrie’s attitude; it was saying to us that though she did not like to suffer, seeing it had come to her, she was not fighting it; she was accepting it, believing that somehow He was going to turn it into freedom and glory in His time.”
March 1, 2016
Corrie Ten Boom’s amazing story of hiding Jews in her family’s Dutch home during World War II is told in the book called The Hiding Place which I read years ago. This is a follow up story written by one of her companions. Corrie spent her life after the war travelling and speaking around the world. At age 83 she was full of energy until she had a stroke and lost her speech. In spite of her physical limitations her ministry continued to minister to millions of people. This book will be enjoyed by anyone who loved Corrie Ten Boom as well as those who are involved with the elderly or handicapped.
June 21, 2023
Corrie Ten Boom has always been an inspiration in my life, whether learning part of her story in school or learning new things throughout my life. I didn’t know this book existed until randomly finding it at a tiny mom-and-pop book shop.
It was cool to hear (read) more about her life after the holocaust.
Corrie’s story is so encouraging when you realize how much strength and fight she had to keep going through life for all its ups AND downs. She never let anything take her joy away. Corrie also always looked for the lesson and God-sightings in every season - what a great way to live.
The book was a little bit of a slow read for me, but I also went into a reading slump after this….
It was cool to hear (read) more about her life after the holocaust.
Corrie’s story is so encouraging when you realize how much strength and fight she had to keep going through life for all its ups AND downs. She never let anything take her joy away. Corrie also always looked for the lesson and God-sightings in every season - what a great way to live.
The book was a little bit of a slow read for me, but I also went into a reading slump after this….
December 13, 2009
Written by the woman who was Corrie's assistant at the end of her life. I was inspired by the description of the way Corrie prayed.
May 9, 2019
Beautiful, hard story of a believer yielding to seemingly senseless suffering and the practical love of other Christians. I'm glad I read it.
"The life of a Christian is an education for higher service. No athlete complains when the training is hard. He thinks of the game, or the race....'In my opinion, whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us.' Looking back across the years of my life...I can see the working of a divine pattern, which is the way of God with His children. Take from the Lord the power He is willing to give you at this difficult time. One day you will see His pattern, too."
"Child, it is not as much what happens, but how we take it that is important."
"When the very worst happens, the Lord Jesus remains the same."
"...In her times of distress her relationship with the Lord was very real, and He sustained her."
"Since this suffering has come my way I will go through it with the Lord with the same resolution I needed when I was well."
"She had served Him in her youth; now she was serving Him in her old age. She had served Him in strength, now she was serving Him in weakness. She had served Him in health, she was serving Him in illness. She had served Him in her life; she was serving Him in her death. We saw how God built her up in her spirit daily, did not forsake her, provided for her, and sustained her. A new awe and respect for the preciousness of human life came into our thinking....His view of her had not changed although in the eyes of an achievement oriented society she may have lost her usefulness."
"Her lips could no longer say, 'Jesus is Victor,' but her life could, and it did."
"The deepest fellowship with Him lies in not resisting when suffering comes our way, but in going through it resolutely with Him."
"Our times (are) completely in God's hands."
Pages 77, 109, 134, 139, 153, 156, 162, 189
"The life of a Christian is an education for higher service. No athlete complains when the training is hard. He thinks of the game, or the race....'In my opinion, whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us.' Looking back across the years of my life...I can see the working of a divine pattern, which is the way of God with His children. Take from the Lord the power He is willing to give you at this difficult time. One day you will see His pattern, too."
"Child, it is not as much what happens, but how we take it that is important."
"When the very worst happens, the Lord Jesus remains the same."
"...In her times of distress her relationship with the Lord was very real, and He sustained her."
"Since this suffering has come my way I will go through it with the Lord with the same resolution I needed when I was well."
"She had served Him in her youth; now she was serving Him in her old age. She had served Him in strength, now she was serving Him in weakness. She had served Him in health, she was serving Him in illness. She had served Him in her life; she was serving Him in her death. We saw how God built her up in her spirit daily, did not forsake her, provided for her, and sustained her. A new awe and respect for the preciousness of human life came into our thinking....His view of her had not changed although in the eyes of an achievement oriented society she may have lost her usefulness."
"Her lips could no longer say, 'Jesus is Victor,' but her life could, and it did."
"The deepest fellowship with Him lies in not resisting when suffering comes our way, but in going through it resolutely with Him."
"Our times (are) completely in God's hands."
Pages 77, 109, 134, 139, 153, 156, 162, 189
July 6, 2024
This book, is the remarkable story of Corrie’s final years, told by her last companion. Mrs. Moore walks us through those seven and a half years with great insight and honesty, sharing the special and very difficult memories of those final days.
Corrie lived to be 91 years old. The last five years she was unable to speak except for a few words or when she sang Dutch hymns that were very well known to her. The last two and a half years she could no longer walk or move the right side of her body. Still, she continued to share God’s love with all she met. She received visitors as often as she was able. Many came to see her and pray with her in those final years. She silently. She spoke to people through gestures and with her eyes. With the help of her companions, and her limited abilities, they were able to understand her and receive love from her.
Corrie learned the lessons of faith, love and obedience throughout her life. She traveled throughout the world teaching of Jesus’ love and forgiveness of sin. She loved the Lord deeply and leaned on him in all situations. She believed that everything was in God’s time.
In Mrs. Moore’s conclusions, she said that she had learned much from Corrie in her time with her. “It is not so much what happens in life, but how we take it that is important.” Another thing she had learned was that, “The deepest fellowship with Him lies in not resisting when suffering comes our way, but in going through it resolutely with Him.”
I highly recommend this book to all adults. It is a book that I believe will bring comfort and insight to those who are suffering through illness and end of life issues.
Corrie lived to be 91 years old. The last five years she was unable to speak except for a few words or when she sang Dutch hymns that were very well known to her. The last two and a half years she could no longer walk or move the right side of her body. Still, she continued to share God’s love with all she met. She received visitors as often as she was able. Many came to see her and pray with her in those final years. She silently. She spoke to people through gestures and with her eyes. With the help of her companions, and her limited abilities, they were able to understand her and receive love from her.
Corrie learned the lessons of faith, love and obedience throughout her life. She traveled throughout the world teaching of Jesus’ love and forgiveness of sin. She loved the Lord deeply and leaned on him in all situations. She believed that everything was in God’s time.
In Mrs. Moore’s conclusions, she said that she had learned much from Corrie in her time with her. “It is not so much what happens in life, but how we take it that is important.” Another thing she had learned was that, “The deepest fellowship with Him lies in not resisting when suffering comes our way, but in going through it resolutely with Him.”
I highly recommend this book to all adults. It is a book that I believe will bring comfort and insight to those who are suffering through illness and end of life issues.
October 22, 2020
I read this some 25 years ago, but after referring it to a friend, I thought it was time to reflect again on this most unusual holocaust survivor. Ten Boom was "one of whom the world was not worthy", a courageous energetic elder who lived for decades after she survived the camps from hiding Jews. Yad Vashem in Jerusalem honors her. But her last years, debilitated by several strokes, as narrated by her caregiver are possibly more remarkable than her earlier years for her steadfast aim and joyful tenacity in honoring the One who gave her such remarkable character, tested by much fire and proven. Pam Moore's telling is personal and relatable for her own struggles in caregiving even as she shows us the One leading them both in love.
August 15, 2023
This book starts pretty slow and the author’s voice feels indistinguishable from many Christian books of its time. However, once Corrie gets sick and we arrive at the premise, it begins to shine with spiritual truth. I feel like I learned a lot both about and from Corrie through this book. The author does a great job of detailing her own struggles and how God used Corrie to help sanctify her. I really enjoyed the second half of this book, and I would thoroughly recommend this book. The somewhat low star rating is more due to the quality of writing, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a good and likely helpful read for many. It’s so easy to get distracted from what really matters. Give it a go!
December 23, 2018
I always enjoy anything by or about Corrie ten Boom, and this is no exception. It really has, however, little about the 5 "silent" years of Corrie (as a stroke victim) and more about her ministry with Pam (the author) and their relationship leading up to the 5 years. This explains Pam's devotion to Corrie, and also their ability to communicate throughout those years. I loved the reminders of how Corrie made every person feel like a priority, despite her busy schedule and international ministry.
April 16, 2019
An inspiring story of the last years of a faithful servant of the Lord
Pam, Corrie ten Boom’s niece, goes to Holland to be her new companion. What she ends up being is more like a nurse and a friend, as Corrie travels to America and then suffers failing health. I don’t think that anyone can read this account of Corrie’s death without tears, for she knew where she was going when she died and did not fear death in the least. She died with a song in her heart and love for all of mankind, but mostly for her beloved caretakers.
Pam, Corrie ten Boom’s niece, goes to Holland to be her new companion. What she ends up being is more like a nurse and a friend, as Corrie travels to America and then suffers failing health. I don’t think that anyone can read this account of Corrie’s death without tears, for she knew where she was going when she died and did not fear death in the least. She died with a song in her heart and love for all of mankind, but mostly for her beloved caretakers.
July 15, 2019
I love reading about Corrie ten Boom and her life. Her life story continues to encourage me. Pam Rosewell's retelling of Corrie ten Boom's final years provide a glimpse into Corrie ten Boom's heart which was after God's own heart and will. A wonderful book to tell the rest of the story after The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord. You will be encouraged by God's sovereignty after reading Pam's book about the final years of Corrie ten Boom and how even in her last days God used her to affect many for His glory.
December 13, 2020
Just read the last page moments ago and I have a feeling I will take many things from this book as I have every other Corrie Ten Boom book I’ve read. Praise God for the faithfulness he displayed in Corrie’s life— from a concentration camp in Germany, to traveling the world proclaiming the gospel in her twilight years, and in living her final five years as a stroke survivor —a prisoner in her own mind, unable to verbally communicate. And yet her life still displayed surrender to a good God. Even in her infirmity her life proclaimed: Jesus is victor.
And...
The best is yet to come
And...
The best is yet to come
March 22, 2020
The entire story exudes peace. Thus was the life of Corrie ten Boom - peace in the midst of complete confusion. It was a beautiful story of the end of a life well-lived. I loved how there was the constant reminder that she accepted from God's hand anything that came her way. She was never embarrassed, ashamed, or upset by her circumstances. They were from God, right to the end. This is a calming book to read. A beautiful narrative of a beautiful woman.
October 14, 2021
I love reading anything by or about Corrie ten Boom! It was neat to read this book and see this part of her life, and to see how she finished well. It's such a testament to how she lived her whole life.
I didn't give this 4 stars because the writing wasn't super great. It kind of felt over-explained in some parts, and I felt as if it would never get to the part of the story I was wanting to read. Still very good, though!
I didn't give this 4 stars because the writing wasn't super great. It kind of felt over-explained in some parts, and I felt as if it would never get to the part of the story I was wanting to read. Still very good, though!
June 9, 2025
I’ve read a few of Corrie’s book, but this was an interesting one because it was told from the perspective of her companion.
I loved getting to hear about her life (especially the second half) from an outside perspective.
I was moved to tears many times. Sometimes tears of joy for the work Corrie did and her committed to the Lord, but also sometimes tears of sorrow as I grieved the loss of Corrie (even though she died before I was born).
I loved getting to hear about her life (especially the second half) from an outside perspective.
I was moved to tears many times. Sometimes tears of joy for the work Corrie did and her committed to the Lord, but also sometimes tears of sorrow as I grieved the loss of Corrie (even though she died before I was born).
July 23, 2025
When she caught herself wishing for something that was not God’s plan her immediate response was to instead pray and thank God that he does all things so well. The contentment, thankfulness, humility, hospitality, and joy that continued to be front and center in her life in the midst of all the darkness and the light is such a testament to the amazingness of our Lord. She completely trusted in him and because of that, so did the Lord bring countless others to do the same.
July 27, 2024
I had read The Hiding Place previously (which is an incredible book). I was reminded of Corrie ten Boom recently and sought to read another book by/about this remarkable woman. The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom was recommended. This book is written by her companion. While it again evidences how remarkable Corrie ten Boom was, it’s not anywhere near as good as The Hiding Place.
December 31, 2024
Going into this book, I didn't know about Corrie's life outside of the help she and her family gave to the Jewish during the holocaust. This book was deeply moving and encouraged me to not only dig deeper into my faith, but also helped me on my way to healing from some past trauma. If Corrie, who went through so much could maintain her faith through all of this, can't I? What a blessing.
May 23, 2018
This book taught me much
Pamela's willingness to be transparent in her feelings in all situations described in this book were a great encouragement to me. Gods work is alive in the most simple tasks. Thank you for sharing Pam.
Pamela's willingness to be transparent in her feelings in all situations described in this book were a great encouragement to me. Gods work is alive in the most simple tasks. Thank you for sharing Pam.
April 20, 2019
Would definitely recommend you reading this book!!
I really enjoyed reading this book!! Corrie Ten Boom was such a solider for our Lord Jesus!! It really encouraged me in my walk for Christ.
I really enjoyed reading this book!! Corrie Ten Boom was such a solider for our Lord Jesus!! It really encouraged me in my walk for Christ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews