A History of the Amish

by Steven M. Nolt

Book Overview

Authoritative, thorough, and interestingly written, A History of the Amish presents the deep and rich heritage of the Amish people with dozens of illustrations and updated statistics. The Amish, one... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561483931
• ISBN13: 9781561483938
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Good Books
• Length: 379 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Interesting and informative

This book was an eye opening account of the history of the Amish and their transition into American modern life. It was sad to see the struggle that they have had and continue to have with government over reach into their 1st Amendment religious freedom to enjoy and express their faith/beliefs. All in all a great read.

Amish

Because I'm a history nerd and recently moved to upstate NY where there are many Amish I was curious regarding the Amish way of life in the 21st century! This book I enjoyed but don't know if everyone would as reads more like a school text book. However, very detailed and sometimes laborious in the long struggle of Mennonite and Amish. It did not answer the questions I had as to why their customs are so different. The only solution one arrives at is they want a simple way of life and do not wish to live in modern times. There were no explanations as to the reason for some of their cultural customs. I found that lacking. Their struggles were covered; but their cultural customs were not.

A Fascinating Minority Group

A HISTORY OF THE AMISH will absorb you into the Amish world. You will learn how they began in 1693, deal with their divisions/splits, and discover their current problems. It's a history book that is an easy read, but not light on both the negative and positive facts. You'll feel like an expert--though far from it--after your read. You will come to appreciate the uniqueness of this semi-separatist clan/sect. This subculture is also an interesting study in social studies class--either by the whole class or as an individual or group project, and there's so much realia available. An emotional read-aloud for the intermediate grades is PLAIN GIRL, which deals with the contrasting issues between being a dedicated Amish and "English" (non-Amish). A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up

Frozen in time

Nolt does an excellent job of opening up the early beginnings of the Amish to their present day frozen in time establishment. He follows many unique families as they struggle for survival, and a home. My only wish would be is additional focus on doctrines and beliefs; and the problems that are created. I realize though, that that was not the objective of the book. There is a large bibliography, end-notes, and it is fully illustrated. We begin in 17th century Europe with the founder, a man named Jakob Ammann. Knowledge on Ammann is obscure. After struggles with doctrines, the Amish, along with the Mennonites branched off from the Anabaptists. After this schism occurred over doctrines, many petty, the Amish found themselves looking for a new homestead. They spread over Europe; many were persecuted, some left freely from Switzerland and eventually found themselves settling in Pennsylvania. Small settlements can be found all over the eastern half of the United States to this day. It is a testament to their resolve that they survived at all. In time, decreased numbers would force mergers. They still live on the "edges of American society" with their close knit structure. The encroaching world continues to challenge their Christian faith. Though, through all this they are still growing and expanding. My thoughts, well, I think they are an example for all: their faith in the inerrancy of the Bible, moderation, love, kindness, and forgiveness. But, they have allowed old customs to stand in the way of growth. They have taken certain scripture as literal when it is meant to be taken figuratively. Where does it say that we should live in the 17th century? Sharing of their faith is greatly needed in this broken world, but they choose to isolate themselves. Blessings Scott

Great book

Timely shipment and in great condition. I was very pleased with order.

An Intelligent Overview

I read this book prior to a long weekend trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country. The book is very clearly written (I almost finished it on a flight from Amsterdam to New York) but it presents all the key facts and concepts - in a sympathetic but unbiased way. Having read this book prior to my visit, I could have conversations with locals and feel closer to them thanks to the information and concepts picked up from this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who plans to visit the Amish part of the country and look a little deeper than horse-driven carts and beards without moustaches.

a reliable guide

to a topic that would not be considered terribly exciting by most people. Here in plain English, with no bias whatsoever, is the history of one of the most unfamiliar peoples residing in the United States. You have here a detailed but fast-paced account not only of the Amish's origin in Switzerland, Saxony, and the Netherlands in the 16th century, but also of their trials and tribulations in their eventual settling in the New World. Of particular interest to me personally was the historical origins of, and divergence between the Amish and the Mennonites with regard to the question of technology. This book has clarified for me the historical and religious reasons why the Amish have come to choose the way of life they have. I came away from reading this book not only with a deeper understanding of how and why of the Amish (and the Mennonites), but also with a much deeper respect for the genuine humility and modesty the Amish practice in their everyday lives through their work, emphasis on community, and manner of dwelling in harmony with nature. Having lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio for many years, I always believed the Amish to be the only realistic model of a non-monastic community that could convincingly claim to strictly follow the Christian ethos of non-violence and neighborly love. Happily, this book has done much to substantiate much of my own observations about the Amish. But this book is not just about the Amish's past-- in allowing us to to know more about the way the Amish live, and their reasons for it, this short history may give us pause and allow us to re-examine the empty rhetoric of "community" and "empowerment" that fills the double-speak of modern politics and many a special-interest group's battle cries. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in a highly successful form of communal living -- one that is not based on a childish rebellion against the modern world, but one based on a childlike acceptance of man's fundamentally naked condition regardless of his technological progress.