In the Secret Place

by Peter van Woerden

A book by Corrie Ten Boom's nephew - who began his career in the Dutch underground in 1942. Having found Christ in the midst of World War II, he evaded the police for many months until the night he went to visit his grandfather and Aunt Corrie.

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice complement to The Hiding Place, this one written by “that rascal Peter” whom Corrie loved so much.

Once again the quiet influence of Caspar ten Boom shines through.

Peter encourages us to sacrifice everything for the joy of knowing Christ.

[Mark Wurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Netherlands during WW2

This is a great little book that takes around one hour to read. Written by the nephew of Corrie Ten Boom. A man that became a true follower of Jesus during the German occupation of the Netherlands. We must be so thankful for the freedom we have today. I can’t imagine living how the author Peter did for five years! This book helps one understand the crime against humanity that Hitler’s Nazis committed.

[Lauren Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to find In the Secret Place. For years, I’ve devoured everything I find about Corrie ten Boom and her family, but I had not known her nephew wrote a book until I stumbled across this little e-book earlier this week. Peter is mentioned several time in Corrie’s The Hiding Place, and I really enjoyed reading a slightly different perspective about events covered in Corrie’s bestselling book. Peter’s own story was heavily impacted by the events of the Nazi occupation of Holland during WWII. Though raised in a strong family environment with a Christian heritage that went back generations, Peter’s faith wasn’t sincere—until time in prison forced him to look at his own inability and his need for Jesus. A short but powerful book.

"...the danger of my situation made me lay my religion in the balance. Would it stand up in the tests that these others had faced? I remembered the stories my mother had read to us, particularly the one about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the fool who built his house upon the sand. The analogy that she had drawn had seemed trite at the time. Now the storms that had shown which house was built on a firm foundation seemed very real."

"I had had to come to prison to find Christ, an unfailing Friend."

"To this day, we do not know why the soldiers did not enter the door with the cross. They had searched the whole house systematically. They’d entered every door, except the door to the basement They had stood directly in front of it. Maybe their eyes were held so that they could not see it. To me, the door with the cross has become a very precious symbol. I know there was no power in that piece of wood, carved in the form of a cross. It is but the image of a cross that once stood on a rocky hill, a cross that carried the thorn-crowned Son of God, who through His sacrificial death opened the door of escape to men and women, boys and girls, from the terrible condemnation of eternal death."

[Cynthia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! Excellent quick read. Hungry for more.

Excellent! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read more about Pierre Van Woerden, as he is known in France. He wrote so many delightful choruses that we often sang in our church in France. Many of them are Bible texts set to music. Colossians 3:16 comes to mind: “Que la Parole de Christ habite en vous abondamment…”. (Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…). I wish the book were still in print so I could give a copy to friends and family.
This is the first time for me to learn that Corrie Ten Boom was his aunt.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, easy read. Would be a great read for teens, maybe even older children as the descriptions of prison, hunger, beatings, etc are toned down, but it is still a war story. This book tells the testimony of Corrie ten Boom’s nephew: how he found God in prison, how God called him to ministry, all in the midst of WWII. Would recommend as it’s a good story that can be finished quickly. I only took as long as I did because I had a VERY busy week the week I read it.

[Sara Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational account of the occupation in Holland

This account of the war years in Holland by Corrie Ten Boom's grandson Peter is truly inspiring. Peter's journey with faith is relatable for any young Christian who grew up in a Christian home, and the insights he shares are helpful to remember still today.

[Keith White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in grade 9. One part I cannot forget is when he doesn't want to lie . . . and he tells the Nazi's that the people are under the table . . . it was a good fit with the Hiding Place which was so commonly mentioned at the time (late 70s and early 80s).

[Kenna York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, to the point, insightful book by Peter Van Woerden about his life through World War Two in the Netherlands. If you care about the ten Boom family, you will care to read this. If you don’t know about the ten Boom family, you should.

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading at a grade-school level, but nevertheless, very enjoyable. The gospel of Jesus Christ is presented in a clear and thorough manner through the author's personal telling of his spiritual journey during WWII.
Btw, the author is Corrie ten Boom's nephew.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit different than I usually read. It had some religious meaning to it, a lot of talk about God and Christians in Holland during World War II.

[Ramona Aboul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes a few small details that complement Corrie's books. It's interesting to read the story from the perspective of someone who did not live at the Beje. Very short.

[Michael K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hiding Place from the viewpoint of Corrie ten Boom’s nephew Peter

A wonderful supplement to Corrie’s book. A testament to the power of God in horrific times. An enjoyable read. And an excellent rebuke to the superficiality of my faith.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

A coming of age and faith set in Holland in WWII

[Bill McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring true story

This book offers hope and encouragement to anyone facing hard situations. The power of the love of Christ always triumphs!

[Denise Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Reading about Corrie Ten Boom’s nephew and his walk with the Lord despite suffering for Christ was a joy. The book is very readable.

[Mrs. Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrie Ten Boom’s nephew’s story

Good testimony about coming to faith and living through ww2 times. Rounds out the Ten Boom story. Shows how God brought him through.