Common Sense Not Needed

Common Sense Not Needed recounts Corrie ten Boom's travels to various countries behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. As a Dutch evangelist and former resistance member, ten Boom smuggled Bibles and shared her Christian message with people living under Communist rule. The book follows ten Boom's journeys through multiple nations including Russia, Poland, and Czechoslovakia in the 1960s and early 1970s. Her narrative includes encounters with local Christians practicing their faith in secret, interactions with government authorities, and methods for avoiding detection while carrying religious materials. Ten Boom's firsthand observations capture daily life in Eastern Bloc countries during a period of restricted religious freedom and state control. Her experiences meeting with underground church members reveal networks of believers who maintained their faith despite opposition. The book speaks to themes of religious persecution, individual courage, and the power of faith to endure under oppressive systems. Through ten Boom's perspective, readers gain insight into how people preserved their spiritual beliefs and practices in societies where such expression was forbidden.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Corrie ten Boom's overall work: Readers consistently highlight ten Boom's straightforward, honest writing style in describing her wartime experiences. Amazon and Goodreads reviews frequently mention her ability to balance dark subject matter with hope and faith. Readers appreciate: - Personal, intimate narrative tone - Focus on forgiveness rather than bitterness - Details about Dutch resistance activities - Clear explanations of her faith without being preachy - Historical accuracy and authenticity Common criticisms: - Some find the religious elements too prominent - Writing can feel simplistic at times - Later books repeat material from The Hiding Place Ratings across platforms: - The Hiding Place: 4.8/5 on Amazon (22,000+ reviews), 4.5/5 on Goodreads (219,000+ ratings) - Tramp for the Lord: 4.8/5 on Amazon (1,200+ reviews) - In My Father's House: 4.8/5 on Amazon (300+ reviews) One reader noted: "She tells her story without sensationalism or self-pity." Another commented: "The historical details bring wartime Netherlands to life."

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom The account of a Dutch Christian family who sheltered Jews during World War II and endured concentration camps demonstrates faith-based resistance to Nazi oppression.

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose A missionary's memoir of surviving a Japanese prison camp in World War II reveals persistence through imprisonment and loss while maintaining religious conviction.

In My Father's House by Corrie ten Boom This prequel to The Hiding Place chronicles the ten Boom family's life before World War II and the foundation of their faith-based activism.

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg A narrative based on true events follows a German pastor and Jewish teenager who plan an escape from Auschwitz concentration camp.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew A Dutch missionary's autobiography recounts his work smuggling Bibles into Communist countries during the Cold War while relying on faith-based guidance.

📚 Corrie ten Boom wrote this book specifically to share the gospel with people who have intellectual disabilities, using simple language and straightforward concepts. 🏠 The book draws from Corrie's experiences speaking at L'Abri, a Christian community in Switzerland founded by Francis Schaeffer, where she worked with disabled individuals. ✝️ Prior to writing this book, Corrie ten Boom was already famous for "The Hiding Place," which detailed how her family helped hide Jews during World War II and her subsequent imprisonment in a concentration camp. 🌍 The book has been translated into multiple languages and is used in ministries worldwide that work with developmentally disabled people. 💝 The title "Common Sense Not Needed" reflects Corrie's belief that understanding God's love doesn't require intellectual capability, but rather an open heart.