Editorial Content for The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
In THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER, bestselling author Larry Loftis pays long-overdue homage to one of the great women of the 20th (or any) century: Corrie ten Boom, whose beliefs and determination saved countless lives.
Born in Holland in 1892, the very sickly baby would grow into a strong, stalwart woman. At age 12, she had the opportunity to do work that her older brother had relinquished --- assisting her father in his thriving business as a watchmaker. She was fortunate to have schooling in the technology, showing her intellect and diligence at a profession she enjoyed. But doom was looming around them as Hitler became the leader of Nazi Germany and in 1940 would send troops to invade Holland.
"Loftis successfully brings Corrie ten Boom to a new generation, skillfully and aptly providing daily happenings, lively dialogue and inner thought to this well-researched history."
The chaos that followed underscored Hitler’s hatred of Jews and tightened Corrie’s resolve to protect those whom the Nazis targeted, despite the clear danger that entailed. Her family’s actions were based largely on a belief that the Jews were God’s chosen people and deserved to be spared. Living in a large house, they began taking in men and women one by one, even constructing a false wall to conceal the bedroom --- the Angel’s Den --- for their refugees, both Jews and members of the resistance, helping many to flee the country. They devised a way to smuggle orphaned babies out of Holland, saving hundreds.
In 1944, Corrie’s family was arrested. She and her sister, Betsie, were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp where they held Christian gatherings. After the war, Corrie devoted herself to the rehabilitation and faith renewal of others. She traveled the world telling her remarkable story and wrote a book, THE HIDING PLACE, that became a bestseller and later a film of the same name.
Loftis, whose nonfiction mysteries (THE PRINCESS SPY, INTO THE LION’S MOUTH) have been well received, was fascinated by Corrie and her outstanding accomplishments. He explored copious materials about her, including a collection of her writings and other memorabilia in the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College. Graham had met Corrie and lauded her stamina in tirelessly recounting her harrowing saga and conveying her Christian message for the latter 40 years of her long life.
Loftis successfully brings Corrie ten Boom to a new generation, skillfully and aptly providing daily happenings, lively dialogue and inner thought to this well-researched history. Her achievements and courage as arrayed by Loftis will offer hope and a renewed sense of resolve to all who labor in good cause.
Teaser
Corrie ten Boom was a groundbreaking, female Dutch watchmaker whose family unselfishly transformed their house into a hiding place straight out of a spy novel to shelter Jews and refugees from the Nazis during Gestapo raids. Even though the Nazis knew what the ten Booms were up to, they were never able to find those sheltered within the house when they raided it. Corrie stopped at nothing to face down the evils of her time and overcame unbelievable obstacles and odds. But even more remarkable than her heroism and survival was Corrie’s attitude when she was released. Miraculously, she was able to eschew bitterness and embrace forgiveness as she ministered to people in need around the globe.
Promo
Corrie ten Boom was a groundbreaking, female Dutch watchmaker whose family unselfishly transformed their house into a hiding place straight out of a spy novel to shelter Jews and refugees from the Nazis during Gestapo raids. Even though the Nazis knew what the ten Booms were up to, they were never able to find those sheltered within the house when they raided it. Corrie stopped at nothing to face down the evils of her time and overcame unbelievable obstacles and odds. But even more remarkable than her heroism and survival was Corrie’s attitude when she was released. Miraculously, she was able to eschew bitterness and embrace forgiveness as she ministered to people in need around the globe.
About the Book
New York Times bestselling author and master of nonfiction spy thrillers Larry Loftis writes the first major biography of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during WWII --- at the cost of losing her family and being sent to a concentration camp, only to survive, forgive her captors and live the rest of her life as a Christian missionary.
THE WATCHMAKER'S DAUGHTER is one of the greatest stories of World War II that readers haven’t heard: the remarkable and inspiring life story of Corrie ten Boom --- a groundbreaking, female Dutch watchmaker, whose family unselfishly transformed their house into a hiding place straight out of a spy novel to shelter Jews and refugees from the Nazis during Gestapo raids. Even though the Nazis knew what the ten Booms were up to, they were never able to find those sheltered within the house when they raided it.
Corrie stopped at nothing to face down the evils of her time and overcame unbelievable obstacles and odds. She persevered despite the loss of most of her family and relied on her faith to survive the horrors of a notorious concentration camp. But even more remarkable than her heroism and survival was Corrie’s attitude when she was released. Miraculously, she was able to eschew bitterness and embrace forgiveness as she ministered to people in need around the globe. Corrie’s ability to forgive is just one of the myriad lessons that her life story holds for readers today.
Reminiscent of Schindler’s List and featuring a journey of faith and forgiveness not unlike Unbroken, THE WATCHMAKER'S DAUGHTER is destined to become a classic work of World War II nonfiction.
Audiobook available, read by Christa Lewis
