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Beautiful Courage

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They’re bold. They’re fearless. They’re adventurous. They have a faith that can move mountains. They’re women of courage.

This series of easy-read biographies celebrates the lives of women who lived committed to changing the world for better. What set them apart? Their willingness to live courageously for Christ, even in impossible situations.

What made Corrie ten Boom's courageous life so beautiful? Corrie and her family, moved by the plight of the Jews during World War II, built a secret room—a hiding place—into their home in Haarlem, Holland. Discovered by the Nazis, the ten Booms were sent to notorious concentration camps. By God’s grace, Corrie would survive to become a “tramp for the Lord,” sharing in more than sixty nations the thrilling message that nothing, not even death, can separate us from God’s love. Readers will be inspired by her story, celebrate her legacy, and learn that God can use His women to do mighty things. . .if they have courage .

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2022

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About the author

Sam Wellman

91 books16 followers
Sam Wellman, PhD, is a writer of numerous biographies. He has traveled to Germany many times and twice stayed for several months (in Berlin and Wittenberg). He blogs and tweets on Martin Luther and Frederick the Wise. He lives near Wichita, Kansas.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Cheri.
2,172 reviews73 followers
June 2, 2022
#BeautifulCourage #NetGalley

Long ago, I read the book The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, it was a story of courage, and one that has stayed with me.
Beautiful Courage an easy readers edition, that will help us not forget our past, we must never forget.
Corrie ten Boom and her family, had a hidden room, where they would hide Jews, even though Corrie was caught and sent to Ravensbruck, a concentration camp, she never stopped telling people about Jesus and the Bible. She shared her story of forgiveness and acceptance. Even in her later years Corrie traveled and shared her story. Corrie is an example of someone who, turned ashes into beauty.
Profile Image for Kate Heinz.
123 reviews14 followers
March 17, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC of Beautiful Courage. My thoughts are my own.

I read The Hiding Place a few years back. The Hiding Place is Corrie ten Boom's haunting WWII memoir. Admittedly, I hadn't read a Christian biography for many years. But, when my mother-in-law said that The Hiding Place was among her favorite books, I wanted to give it a try.

Then, I was given the opportunity to read the devotional, God Is My Hiding Place. God Is My Hiding Place is based on Corrie ten Boom's writings.

After reading God Is My Hiding Place, I felt a strong desire to learn more about Ms. ten Boom's life. I wanted to know more.

I found Beautiful Courage.

Written by Sam Wellman, Beautiful Courage explores the life of Corrie ten Boom. I love how he also incorporates stories from others in her family. Beautiful Courage pays particular attention to her her story before WWII. However, it does go into detail about the events leading up to her arrest and her time in Ravensbruck.

The last section of Beautiful Courage focuses on her life after being released. And, what a life she lived! To live with that kind of faith and the desire to see the peoples of the world. There's even a point where Corrie wonders if part of the reason she hops from country to country is the urge to flee due to the period where she was imprisoned. I can't comprehend that from where I sit in the 21st century. And to think that she felt an intense urge to always be on the go.

I love the life lessons throughout the book. She learned life lessons from her father. She learned from her horrific experience in confinement and in Ravensbruck. Some of these lessons included fortitude, faith, grace and forgiveness.

Corrie ten Boom ranks among my heroes and is one of the Christian heroes of faith. If you've never read about Corrie ten Boom, I recommend reading The Hiding Place first. You don't want to miss out on the wealth of knowledge presented in that memoir. Then, I would read Beautiful Courage so you can understand the full picture of her life. Finally, if you are looking for comfort, love, peace, help with anxiety or knowing God's will, read God Is My Hiding Place.

In conclusion, Corrie ten Boom lived a life full of courage. She endured great suffering through illness and as a prisoner at Ravensbruck. Feeling God call her to minister to people around the world, she spent the rest of her life traveling and calling people to Jesus. As such, she impacted the world for Christ through her ministry. Her story reminds us all that God can use our life stories for his glory.
57 reviews
March 19, 2022
One of my favorite quotes by Corrie ten Boom is: "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."

Beautiful Courage by Sam Wellman gives us such a tender look at the life of Corrie ten Boom. The simplicity of Corrie and her family, work hard, love each other completely and serve God faithfully, was put to the ultimate test during World War II. But in the midst of all the horrors that were endured by this family, faith remained, and courage flourished. Corrie ten Boom's life and legacy is a testimony to what God can accomplish through a willing heart. Wonderful book you will be glad you read.

Thank you, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
817 reviews33 followers
August 3, 2023
Beautiful Courage: The Story of Corrie Ten Boom is a wonderful book! As a person who is just now discovering who Corrie Ten Boom is and her story, I found this story fascinating. I love learning about the life of Corrie Ten Boom and reading her Testimony and Legacy of her family. Because of this, I am currently devouring anything I can get my hands on regarding Ms. Ten Boom and her family. I also love how she was on the forefront on ministering to people with special needs. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity this book. My review is also on Goodreads.
Profile Image for Vicki.
332 reviews7 followers
June 23, 2022
Beautiful Courage was definitely written at a teen reader level. I would say that even though it says for teens, it could be read by an advanced preteen. Corrie Ten Boom had such an interesting and courageous life. This will be an inspiration to our younger readers. Beautiful Courage was filled with hope . There are some great life lessons in learning about Corrie Ten Boom’s life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Profile Image for Terry Felix.
269 reviews17 followers
June 21, 2022
Corrie Ten Boom is one of my heroes of the faith. Her courage and faithfulness in devastatingly difficult circumstances are both a challenge and an encouragement. This beautiful, easy to read biography gives insight to her pre-war background and how she continued to live courageously and in a way that made a difference in the world for the entirety of her life. Her story is truly an inspiration.
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour for the opportunity to read and honestly review.
Profile Image for Julianna Steen.
175 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️s. I love Corrie ten Boom—The Hiding Place is one of my all-time favorite books. This book tells a lot of the same stories, but has a few new/different ones thrown in there and is still super powerful. It never ceases to astound me the horrors people went through under the Nazi regime during World War II. It also confounds me how much God transformed people like Corrie & Betsy, allowing them to forgive + fulfill His plans for them. Definitely convicting about how I live my life. 🙃
42 reviews
May 30, 2022
Must read for all Christians

Reading books like this is very important for the LORD'S people right now. Hard times are probably coming and reading about people who have already been through the worst times and saw the faithfulness of the LORD.
Profile Image for Lauralee.
271 reviews11 followers
May 13, 2022
This easy-read biography was actually highly informative and I learned more about the incredible life and faith of Corrie ten Boom. What a legacy! I only wish the book had gone a little more in depth, but I highly recommend for homeschoolers or anyone wanting to learn more about the ten Booms.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lucy-Bookworm.
767 reviews16 followers
May 30, 2022
I have previously read “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom, so I was familiar with parts of her story. Very aptly titled “Beautiful Courage”, this biography gives a more rounded view of her life including her upbringing and the pre-war years.
Corrie was brought up in a family who believed in hard work, love & respect but also a huge faith. Her parents and older siblings truly believed that God would provide, and they strived to serve him faithfully. Their faith was put to the ultimate test during WW2, becoming part of the Dutch resistance, hiding Jews "In this household, God's people are always welcome" and others who would be persecuted, before being betrayed and imprisoned themselves in various locations including the notorious Ravensbrück concentration camp. Corrie’s faith did not waver despite her suffering, and she was able to share hope with her fellow inmates during this time. There are many moments of real humanity and also moments of humour (eg “who would ever be grateful for fleas?” to “praise God for fleas!”)
On her release, Corrie felt that she was able to speak to people who had lived similar circumstances – who can relate better to prisoners or refugees or those who have suffered during war than somebody who has also lived it? Her legacy is a testimony to what God can accomplish through anyone if they are willing to be His hands/feet/voice. The book also looks at what happened to her siblings during this time, some imprisoned with her, and this really gives a good picture of Corrie’s world.
Overall, this book is well researched, well written and accessible. It will particularly appeal to Christians looking for encouragement/inspiration or just to learn more about an inspirational woman, someone who truly relied on God/her faith to sustain her. However the book is very accessible and I would challenge people who are not of the same faith to try it too


Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own & my review is left voluntarily.
Profile Image for Carolyn Bryant.
966 reviews79 followers
April 8, 2022
I love this well-written and remarkably interesting narrative that chronicles the triumphs and trials in the life of Corrie ten Boom. It drew me in from the start and held me captive to the end. This book is well-researched and captivating especially the recounting of the ten Boom family’s courage and faith as they faced the physical danger and moral dilemmas of aiding the Jews as part of the World War II Dutch underground. The vivid depiction of the family’s experience in the Nazi concentration camp evokes myriad emotions. The detailed description of her prolific worldwide ministry after the war is inspiring. The title of the book is very appropriate. Corrie ten Boom was most certainly a beautifully courageous woman who lived her life “in Christ”, and Mr. Wellman excellently conveyed her story. I found encouragement and inspiration in this book and highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews