The Watchmaker's Daughter: An utterly gripping and heart-wrenching World War II historical novel (The Resistance Girl Book 1)

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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. It not only details the life of the Watchmaker’s daughter but also includes many details about her relatives and the people who were involved in her life and the underground Resistance in the Netherlands. Thrilled to announce that Barnes & Noble has chosen THE WATCHMAKER'S DAUGHTER as one of its 12 nonfiction books for its 2023 reading guide! 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. I really liked the added details and information that the author made available in this wonderful book. He did an excellent job. However, he had an amazing Lady to write about.

India Steele is desperate. Her father is dead, her fiancé took her inheritance, and no one will employ her, despite years working for her watchmaker father. Indeed, the other London watchmakers seem frightened of her. Alone, poor, and at the end of her tether, India takes employment with the only person who’ll accept her – an enigmatic and mysterious man from America. A man who possesses a strange watch that rejuvenates him when he’s ill. In the first novel in Archer’s Glass and Steele historical fantasy series, a woman who’s been cheated out of her family legacy begins working for a man with a magical secret. An inspiring World War II story of courage and daring. ... Loftis deftly interweaves ten Boom's compelling tale with of two young women living just miles away—Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn—to drive home the peril, grief, and spirit of resistance that surged through the occupied Netherlands. A well-researched, vivid, inspiring book that reminds us both of the power of resistance, and of the capacity of good people to stand up against evil in history's darkest hours." - Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing StarsThe Watchmaker's Daughter is a very well-researched, well-written, and thorough portrait of a woman who was a hero. There is included at the end of the book a section called "The Rest of the Story,” which covers the accomplishments of those central to the overall Dutch World War II story and includes picture. There is also an Appendix on refugees who stayed with the ten Booms, Bibliography, Notes, and Index. This remarkable biography shows the true power of forgiveness and inspires readers to keep the faith." — Woman's World I have not heard much about Corrie Ten Boom since the 70’s when her book, “The Hiding Place” was released. Her story is remarkable and inspiring. Her faith in God as she and her family faced the horrors of Nazi control amazed me. And her ability to forgive…hard to fathom. I really enjoyed the relationships between Corrie and her family members-especially Betsy. Her life was such a shining testimony of the power the Lord has through a child of His in full surrender. As Corrie herself came to realize several years after she was released from the concentration camp and the war was over, forgiveness to those who put her through that “hell on earth” -as the concentration camp was referred to- and wronged her in countless ways took the power of God to not hang on to bitterness and hate. 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.

Astounding ... An intimate, detailed portrait ... 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." - BooklistThat little rant aside, this was not a bad book. It took me so long to finish it because I kept coming across parts that had me so tense, I couldn't keep reading, even though I knew how the story ended. BN has been very kind to me this year (THE PRINCESS SPY was their Sept. Nonfiction Book of the Month)! An inspiring World War II story of courage and daring. ... Loftis deftly interweaves ten Boom’s compelling tale with excerpts from the writings of two young women living just miles away—Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn—to drive home the peril, grief, and spirit of resistance that surged through the occupied Netherlands. A well-researched, vivid, inspiring book that reminds us both of the power of resistance, and of the capacity of good people to stand up against evil in history’s darkest hours.”

Archer will hook genre fans with a likable cast and overarching plot worthy of further worldbuilding. 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. However, during the period of time that this book focuses on, she is in her 50s and she is the FIRST female watchmaker in ALL of Holland. So why is the title showcasing her father and her relationship to him when this story is about her and she was a watchmaker too? Now, I unfortunately know much more about not only The Holocaust but, about Holocaust deniers and the irrational hatred of Jews. At this time in history, antisemitism has raised its ugly head higher than usual.

I guess I'm just used to listening to and reading Holocaust memoirs, where everything is more personal and first person, causing the listener/reader to really feel what the narrator went through, because this book, while interesting, fell flat on occasion. Astounding ... An intimate, detailed portrait ... 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." — Booklist Like a skilled archaeologist, Larry unearths little-known fragments of Corrie Ten Boom’s story. By mining everything from historical records to family mementos, he’s exposed fresh facets of Corrie’s remarkable ministry. If you loved The Hiding Place, read this book!" — Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family In this haven each resident learned that countless others had suffered just as they had. All of them needed the same healing, too. “Each had a hurt he had to forgive,” Corrie recalled, “the neighbor who had reported him, the brutal guard, the sadistic soldier. Strangely enough, it was not the Germans or the Japanese that people had most trouble forgiving; it was their fellow Dutchmen who had sided with the enemy.”

Because I had lived so close to death,” Corrie remembered, “looking it in the face day after day, I often felt like a stranger among my own people—many of whom looked upon money, honor of men, and success as the important issues of life. Standing in front of a crematorium, knowing that any day could be your day, gives one a different perspective.” must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us Corrie, because we have been here."Recognizing the effectiveness of the BBC and Radio Oranje, Seyss-Inquart issued a “Measure for the Protection of the Dutch Population Against Untrue Information.” It stated that the Dutch should be protected from “false news,” and that only Nazi stations would be officially sanctioned. As expected, the law declared that anyone caught listening to the BBC or Radio Oranje would be severely punished.” An inspiring World War II story of courage and daring. ... Loftis deftly interweaves ten Boom’s compelling tale with of two young women living just miles away—Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn—to drive home the peril, grief, and spirit of resistance that surged through the occupied Netherlands. A well-researched, vivid, inspiring book that reminds us both of the power of resistance, and of the capacity of good people to stand up against evil in history’s darkest hours.”— Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom by Larry Loftis is a very highly recommended, moving biography of WWII Dutch resistance member Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983). Many will know her from her bestselling 1971 memoir, The Hiding Place. The Watchmaker's Daughter retells her story and expands on it with many photos, dairies, and letters from people involved. Larry Loftis has written a compelling account of the The Watchmaker’s Daughter, Corrie ten Boom, who survived the horrors of the WWII concentration camp. The persecution Corrie endured led her to thank the Lord for turning a prison cell into God’s training school. Such is the miraculous power of Jesus Christ.”— Rev. Franklin Graham I firmly believe that books about WWII, including the Holocaust, need to be read and the topic needs to be learned and remembered, so we can at least hopefully notice when something similar is taking place and try to do something to stop it (I'm looking at you China re: the Uyghurs).