The life story of Corrie ten Boom--a female Dutch watchmaker, whose family transformed their house into a hiding place straight out of a spy novel to shelter Jews and refugees from the Nazis during Gestapo raids.
There is little sense of Corrie herself during these early chapters, as the archive on which Mr. Loftis relies appears to have few insights into her thoughts at this stage. Instead, the author weaves together material from many other primary and secondary sources ... As his prose begins to echo the proselytism that characterized Corrie herself, biography slides into hagiography. Yet Corrie ten Boom’s indomitable faith in the face of evil was extraordinary, and The Watchmaker’s Daughter recounts a story that deserves to be remembered.
The extraordinary bravery of Corrie Ten Boom is eclipsed only by her ability to find faith and hope in utter darkness. Perfect for readers of biography and history.
Loftis... turns up diaries and letters from others in ten Boom’s circle as well as a trove of photographs that enable him to tell a detailed, moving story ... A story of unbelievable suffering and courage that deserves to be told.
