The Watchmaker’s Daughter

by Larry Loftis

The Hiding Place, the original popular story of Corrie ten Boom, written with John and Elizabeth Sherrill, was released in 1971 and made into a movie in 1975. Corrie, skilled in watch repairs, and the rest of the ten Boom family saved many Dutch—both Jews and non-Jews—from being sent to prison, concentration camps, and labor camps by German Nazis in World War II. 

Although The Hiding Place was a landmark book in telling the story of this remarkable Christian lady, Larry Loftis has gone even further in writing The Watchmaker’s Daughter. His research into the background of the World War II setting of the book sets the reader up to better understand the times culturally and politically and the invasion of Holland. His research includes examining photos and original small books by Corrie ten Boom along with memorabilia that are archived in the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College. Corrie ten Boom did not keep a diary, but Loftis sought out many other primary sources including journals and letters from survivors who had been hidden in the ten Boom home.

Corrie and her older sister Betsie were interned in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp for their crimes of hiding Jews. There these Christian sisters had a ministry within the barracks, holding secret Bible studies and encouraging the other women to hold strong despite the horrible conditions and continuous threat of execution. Upon release, Corrie began a ministry of traveling internationally with a message of forgiveness and established 3 different centers, one in a transformed concentration camp, to meet the physical and emotional needs of survivors. Betsie had a vision of the centers while they were still in the camp at a time when the fulfillment of her vision seemed impossible.  Corrie’s story is an amazing one showcasing the love of God and the power of forgiveness.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, History

Notes: Even if you think you know the story of Corrie ten Boom, I encourage you to read this book. Corrie’s story is unforgettable, and her courageous life of dependence on God extended way past the events in Ravensbrück. Loftis’ research and writing along with Corrie’s life and faith make this book remarkable.

Publication:  2023—HarperCollins

Memorable Lines:

This was the hardest part—the hatred. Over ensuing days Corrie tried to be nice to the woman, but to no avail. “She seemed to be entirely devoid of human feeling,” Corrie recalled, “and altogether hard, hostile, and wicked…Why should they always snap and snarl at us? I always greeted them with a pleasant ‘Good morning,’ but everything seemed to glance off their impenetrable armor of hate.”

“My sister died here,” she told Tiny. “She suffered so much. I, too, have suffered. But Jesus is always with us. He did a miracle in taking away all my hatred and bitterness for my enemies.”

For more than fifty years the Beje had been her own hiding place, her refuge. But Ravensbrück had taught her that this magnificent home—with all of its memories—was but a shadow; her true hiding place was Christ.