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Corrie ten Boom's Prison Letters
Corrie Ten Boom's Prison Letters.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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2389 people want to read
About the author
Corrie ten Boom
126 books1,602 followersCorrie 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 29, 2023
Yes I’m a romance reader, but I love me some Jesus! Corrie Ten Boom is a hero of the faith for sure and she makes me proud of my name, Korrie!
August 5, 2017
I wish I would have read this directly after reading The Hiding Place. I enjoyed these letters and sketches of Corrie ten Boom. In the afterword is one of my favorite quotes of hers.
"God has only plans, no problems, in the life of a child of God."
"God has only plans, no problems, in the life of a child of God."
Read
February 12, 2015Prison Letters � Corrie ten Boom\n \nThis is a collection of letters Corrie and her sister, Bessie, both wrote and received while in prison for helping Jews during World War II. Additionally, there are little snippets of observations and ponderings Corrie wrote down on scraps of paper.\nI am a little torn on this book. It was a very quick read, so worth the time. It was a very personal account of some of the issues and horrors in prison and concentration camp during WWII. You feel for Corrie and her sister and what they experienced. You marvel at their strength of faith and courage. That they can still praise and believe in a good God after what they experiences. You know that can only be because of a strong foundation and lifestyle that had previous to the war. And you marvel at their good attitude and positive outlook.\n \nAnd that�s where I�m torn. It might be my more cynical side, but I�ve also read The Hiding Place. There were tough times and it wasn�t all �praise God� � especially where Corrie was concerned. She had some real bad attitude, defeated, depressed moments. And none of that is clear in the letters. Now, that is possibly because they didn�t want to let on to their family all of the misery. They didn�t want their family to worry further. And I can understand that. But parts of it were just a bit too cheery for me for �prison letters.�\n
January 28, 2023
The encouragement of this woman’s faith and the power of the goodness of God radiates from these pages. This is a must read if you have read The Hiding Place. If you haven’t, go now and read them both. There is not much like the first hand account of grace in the midst of human evil.
August 9, 2012
Recently, I have discovered a new favorite genre--letters. I haven't read nearly enough books of this nature to give a definitive answer, but I greatly enjoyed this short collection. Years ago I read The Hiding Place. Last year I met a lady that was Corrie ten Boom's personal assistant when she was touring and speaking. The lady told several stories about Corrie which made me want to read this. Now I want to reread The Hiding Place and see the connections. This book would make a nice partner to the other, and it is a definite reminder of how difficult times were. It makes me grateful for the liberty we have, but it is also an encouragement/conviction to see how these two sisters praised God and grew in faith in the midst of adversity.
May 20, 2008
I have always loved Corrie Ten Boom--The Hiding Place was a favorite book from my childhood. I just read this small volume of letters written to and from Corrie and Betsie while they were imprisoned (excepting the time they were at Ravensbruck, when no mail was allowed) Predictably, I found the letters sweet and a little melancholy in their forced cheerfulness. Nice little volume for ten Boom fans.
November 11, 2020
I've been taking so much comfort from reading about Corrie Ten Boom (and family) and the ordeal that they had to endure during WWII. I forsee a time in the very near future when we will face difficult times and when our freedom of religion is severely curtailed. For this reason, I have taken such comfort in reading about others of great faith who have lived through similar times.
July 11, 2023
It’s hard to rate a book that’s a collection of letters. There’s a simplicity to them, in the mundane needs of humans and the everyday reliance on Christ in the midst of unimaginable evil.
Read as a supplement to several books we’ve read as a family about Corrie, and in preparation for seeing her house this summer.
Read as a supplement to several books we’ve read as a family about Corrie, and in preparation for seeing her house this summer.
December 27, 2022
Wow. Eye opening and a crazy reminder that God is good no matter how terrible people are.
“I was free and knew…it was my chance to take to the world God’s message of the victory of Jesus Christ in the midst of the deepest evil of man.”
“I was free and knew…it was my chance to take to the world God’s message of the victory of Jesus Christ in the midst of the deepest evil of man.”
July 14, 2022
Short but stunning. The absolute highlight is a few letters written by Corrie’s sister Betsie, who died in the concentration camp. By all accounts, Betsie seemed to have an unusual intimacy with God and a rare, otherworldly, heavenly quality about her that surpassed even Corrie. Deeply moving to hear the voice of this saint who never got to tell her own story after the war.
February 7, 2023
Corrie is a one of the most inspiring women of Faith. If you’ve read The Hiding Place I would highly recommend you read this one as well. Reading this has inspired me to pray for and love those around me harder. And to speak more boldly to strangers about my faith and the love and forgiveness of God.
At the end it includes Corries favorite verses & a few of her own quotes… my favorite:
My life is like a weaving, between my God and me. Ofttimes He weaves in sorrow and I in foolish pride, forget He sees the upper and I the underside.
- corrie ten boom
At the end it includes Corries favorite verses & a few of her own quotes… my favorite:
My life is like a weaving, between my God and me. Ofttimes He weaves in sorrow and I in foolish pride, forget He sees the upper and I the underside.
- corrie ten boom
February 8, 2016
If you haven't read the Hiding Place yet, don't read this one. You'll understand it much better if you read that first.
That said it was really good. The first time I read it I didn't see what was so special about it. This time I did. Beyond the fact the letters help give a clearer picture of their time in prison, they open up the struggles and joys they were experiencing. This time I saw how they were relying each day on the Lord. They used every letter to encourage the recipient to look to the Lord for every detail of their lives.
It's just such an encouragement. You really should read it.
October 3, 2011
Not quite what I thought it would be. Interesting, tho I feel like I am missing back stories. But she even said in the afterword that alot was not mentioned.
You did feel the emotion from everyone, especially their faith in God. In every word sent to eachother, they had love for eachother, for God, and knowing that no matter what, they had done right. (Protecting Jews from the Nazis.)
You did feel the emotion from everyone, especially their faith in God. In every word sent to eachother, they had love for eachother, for God, and knowing that no matter what, they had done right. (Protecting Jews from the Nazis.)
September 25, 2021
"God has only plans, no problems, in the life of a child of God.
I have experienced God's love."
I have experienced God's love."
Read
July 6, 2023“When all the securities of the world fall away, then you realize like never before what it means to have your security in Jesus.”
I have not read “Hiding Place,” but I know the general story enough to have understood where these letters were written and to/from whom. I am astounded by her unwavering faith as well as her heartbreak over those near her who did not have the same assurance and never came to. She was truly a remarkable woman and a great advocate of Jesus.
I plan to read her book someday, and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot more about her life and work. She clearly loves Jesus with everything, and even the darkest of circumstances did not waver her faith. Truly remarkable.
I have not read “Hiding Place,” but I know the general story enough to have understood where these letters were written and to/from whom. I am astounded by her unwavering faith as well as her heartbreak over those near her who did not have the same assurance and never came to. She was truly a remarkable woman and a great advocate of Jesus.
I plan to read her book someday, and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot more about her life and work. She clearly loves Jesus with everything, and even the darkest of circumstances did not waver her faith. Truly remarkable.
August 30, 2021
Growing up, I learned much about history in both Christian schools and home. The Hiding Place was required reading, and I am still so thankful I read it in highschool. Now, decades later, being able to read this epistolary book of Prison Letters was like finding a hidden room in a museum! The new details I was not aware of, were both sad and joyful. I learned more about Betsy and other family members through Corrie's actual letters here. Recommended for upper highschool through Adult.
September 26, 2019
'Wie in de schuilplaats van de Allerhoogste is gezeten, zal overnachten in de schaduw van de Almachtige.'
Mooi om over het geloofsvetrouwen van Corrie Ten Boom te lezen. Ik geef drie sterren omdat ik een stukje achtergrond bij de brieven mis.
Iets meer achergrond van de briefschrijvers en over hoe ze in de gevangenis zijn gekomen zou een mooie toevoeging zijn geweest.
Mooi om over het geloofsvetrouwen van Corrie Ten Boom te lezen. Ik geef drie sterren omdat ik een stukje achtergrond bij de brieven mis.
Iets meer achergrond van de briefschrijvers en over hoe ze in de gevangenis zijn gekomen zou een mooie toevoeging zijn geweest.
March 17, 2023
Heartbreaking but beautiful. The faith and hope they all had during the worst times ever! The letter Corrie wrote to the German that betrayed them, the forgiveness, it is encouraging. If this woman could forgive someone that betrayed them, then I can learn to forgive as well.
I know that back then, the word retarded was “normal” but it makes me cringe each time I come across that word.
I know that back then, the word retarded was “normal” but it makes me cringe each time I come across that word.
January 21, 2025
This book is a heaping helping of perspective that reminded me of what it truly means to be sustained by God AND by the prayers of His people. Would recommend it to any reader!
November 17, 2008
It wasn't sure what to expect, but it didn't hold my interest like I thought it would. I hadn't realized that they were able to send/receive mail in some prison camps - so that was surprising to me. I am amazed at how positive they all were despite the awful circumstances and to see how much faith she had. I'll just say again that she is an amazing woman.
March 5, 2012
What a testimony that in the midst of suffering in prison, Corrie and Betsie were constantly praying for others, keeping up their spirits, and ministering to others. A real inside look at their lives in prison.
January 15, 2014
A sad, disappointing, real, and touching book. I am going to give the book to my husband, an English teacher, who may use this book along with Night when reading about this time period in class. I didn't give the book 5 stars because the names and people get a bit confusing.
October 18, 2016
The first time I saw Corrie Ten Boom, she stole my heart away. She is such a humble woman yet bold. Her time in the concentration camp was heart breaking but with God in her life she still was able to touch many lives.
February 3, 2008
Letters written by Corrie Ten Boom from Prison. Very powerful. Insights to God's Providence while she was in prison during World War II for hiding Jews.
November 4, 2011
Inspirational read in my teenage years. How one woman held onto, and inspired faith, in her God of love under the most trying of circumstances.
May 29, 2013
Collection of letters to and from, and diary notes by, Corrie and Betsy ten Boom during their incarceration in Scheveningen Prison and Vught Concentration Camp for their resistance work in WWII.
February 27, 2013
This is a short book, that can be read quickly, yet it speaks powerfully to the Ten Boom's faith in God, during the holocaust.
November 21, 2016
deeply impactful.
May 11, 2014
Inspiration is always an excellent reason to read a book.
October 10, 2021
Corrie ten Boom wrote in the beginning of the book that it was by Gods grace that these letters were preserved and she believes it was so she could share them with us. What a sweet treasure to have these letters (and sketches) preserved.
It’s interesting that Nollie had to share information from Betsie to Corrie and vice versa. She often quoted one sister in her letters to another to let them know what the other was feeling/doing. Betsie and Corrie were just a corridor apart, but it might as well have been miles.
One of my favorite parts were Bestie’s journal entries. I love that we have a piece of her writing. We have so much writing from Corrie, how nice to have a little direct from a Betsie. One thing we learn from her letters is that she knew her father would die as a martyr, and knew it even before the news came from Nollie.
How amazing it is that these ten Boom’s are so close to the Lord. I’m so in awe of this family.
I read this little collection of writings in one sitting.
“But God, I know, help to keep the ones in this book safe, surely for the purpose of my one day presenting them to others as a reminder of the great love he gave us and the comfort of his presence wherever we were.”
It’s interesting that Nollie had to share information from Betsie to Corrie and vice versa. She often quoted one sister in her letters to another to let them know what the other was feeling/doing. Betsie and Corrie were just a corridor apart, but it might as well have been miles.
One of my favorite parts were Bestie’s journal entries. I love that we have a piece of her writing. We have so much writing from Corrie, how nice to have a little direct from a Betsie. One thing we learn from her letters is that she knew her father would die as a martyr, and knew it even before the news came from Nollie.
How amazing it is that these ten Boom’s are so close to the Lord. I’m so in awe of this family.
I read this little collection of writings in one sitting.
“But God, I know, help to keep the ones in this book safe, surely for the purpose of my one day presenting them to others as a reminder of the great love he gave us and the comfort of his presence wherever we were.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews