Not Good If Detached

Not Good If Detached chronicles Corrie ten Boom's global travels and ministry work in the years following World War II. The book takes its title from a train ticket she once received, which bore the warning "Not Good If Detached" - a phrase she connects to the Christian life. Through a series of vignettes and encounters, ten Boom recounts her experiences speaking to audiences across multiple continents and meeting people affected by war, persecution, and spiritual seeking. She shares stories from her visits to various countries including Germany, Korea, and Israel, where she delivered messages about forgiveness and God's love. The book documents ten Boom's observations about faith, healing, and reconciliation in post-war communities worldwide. Her firsthand accounts of both suffering and hope span diverse cultures and circumstances in the 1950s and 1960s. At its core, Not Good If Detached explores the theme of spiritual connection - both to God and to fellow humans - as essential for meaningful existence and recovery from trauma. The narrative reinforces the message that isolation, whether physical or spiritual, hinders healing and growth.

Readers emphasize the book's focus on practical Christian faith and finding purpose through serving others. Many note that while shorter than ten Boom's other works, this book delivers clear messages about staying connected to God through prayer and service. Readers liked: - Personal anecdotes from ten Boom's travels and ministry - Straightforward writing style - Relevant life applications - Brief but impactful chapters Common criticisms: - Less polished than her other books - Some repetitive content - Lacks the depth of "The Hiding Place" Ratings: Goodreads: 4.33/5 (163 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (41 ratings) Several readers highlighted the metaphor of a train ticket that's "not good if detached" from its stub as particularly meaningful. One Amazon reviewer noted: "The message is simple but profound - we must stay attached to Christ to have any value." Some reviews mention the book works best as a complement to ten Boom's other writings rather than a standalone work.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom A Holocaust survivor's memoir of protecting Jewish refugees and finding faith during imprisonment in concentration camps.

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose A missionary's account of survival and maintained faith through four years in a Japanese prison camp during World War II.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew The true story of a man who risked his life to transport Bibles behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

In His Steps by Charles Monroe Sheldon A minister's challenge to his congregation to make decisions based on what Jesus would do transforms their lives and community.

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot The account of five missionaries who lost their lives reaching an indigenous tribe in Ecuador, and the impact of their sacrifice.

🌟 Despite being confined to a concentration camp during WWII, Corrie ten Boom traveled to over 60 countries after her release, sharing her message of forgiveness and faith well into her 80s. 🌟 The book's title "Not Good If Detached" was inspired by a train ticket Corrie once saw, serving as a metaphor for how Christians need to stay connected to God—just as a ticket is worthless if detached from its stub. 🌟 This book was published in 1957, following the success of her best-known work "The Hiding Place," and continues her story of post-war ministry and worldwide travels. 🌟 Corrie ten Boom and her family saved an estimated 800 Jews during WWII by hiding them in their home in Haarlem, Netherlands, which had a secret room behind her bedroom wall. 🌟 The book includes accounts of her work with displaced persons and former Nazi guards after the war, demonstrating her remarkable ability to forgive those who had been her persecutors.