If I Perish by Esther Ahn Kim is an inspiring story of a small and sickly woman who is self-described as timid and fearful but who went to prison because she refused to bow at a pagan shrine. The prison conditions were beyond terrible, cold and filthy, with corrupt and brutal guards. Esther witnessed to many prisoners and at one point even befriended a crazy woman. I had enjoyed this book as a teenager but it was so long ago that it was like new again.