Author: Richard Wurmbrand

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £7.99

Lowdown: This is an extremely well-written book about the sufferings and experiences of a man, who grew up an atheist, in a Communist orphanage in Romania. The introduction describes his hatred of the Christian God and how God found him, completely changing his life. He then takes the reader through a terrifying account of the many years he suffered torture and imprisonment for preaching the Gospel. Communism tried to destroy Christianity and would stop at nothing to get Christians to confess and turn on one another. Richard witnessed many terrible as well as miraculous events during this persecution and believes God only kept him alive so he could share his story. As the leader of the 'Underground Church' he had access to many stories from other Christians and completely dedicates each page to their sacrifice.

Good points: This book tells the story of many forgotten and unheard of Christians who are suffering extreme persecution, while we live in a free country. It is truly the most encouraging, distressing and uplifting book that I have read, and fuels a young Christian with a wealth of information to take to those who would mock them for being a Christian. This book surely proves that it takes a special kind of person to be a martyr for Christ and there must be something in the faith they are so freely willing to suffer and die for. A must read that has been updated for a new generation, devoid of such heroism.

Bad points: It has to be said that although Richard fails to describe all that he saw in his fourteen years in prison, he does go into a lot of detail concerning Christian children beaten to death in front of their parents etc which is very distressing to read at times. Every page has some information on the tortures and persecution suffered by men, women and children alike. This is only recommended for older teenagers.