Samuel: The Inspiring Story of How an Amish Boy's Tragedy Brought Two Worlds Together

by Robert J. Hastings, Lorene Herschberger, Oba Herschberger

When 10-year-old Samuel Herschberger, an Amish boy, became entangled in a piece of farm equipment, the injuries he sustained were so extensive that his survival amazed emergency personnel called to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563524376
• ISBN13: 9781563524370
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Longstreet Press
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

heartwarming in the heartland

I enjoyed this book...about a story that happened not far from where I grew up (my town is even mentioned in the book). A great book about a family and a community and the ties that bind us all - devoid of the clutter that dominates our lives...this is about real people and real strength, and making it through horrible adversity through community teamwork and inner strength

About a boy - An unforgettable book!

I picked up this book, intrigued by the picture on the front of an Amish buggy on a lonely road in the country. The heart of this book is amazing! You turn the pages and your heart just fills with the plight of Samuel and his parents as they try to get help for Samuel and his long hospitalization. Robert J. Hastings is incredibly tender in his dealings with Samuel's parents; who take turns in the book, through Bob Hastings interviews, talking about the trials and troubles they go through. I was struck by the innocence and humility of Oba and Lorene. They were as naive as small children in having to deal with all the ugly things of this world; hospital bills, pettiness, uncaring people. Throughout their ordeal however, we are uplifted as the doors swing open for them! The strangers that open their homes and hearts to them. The miraculous survival of Samuel. The charity of Precious Moments artist and creator Sam Butcher who creates a commemorative Amish button that is sold at Hallmark stores and nets the family $20,000. I found their whole story so touching, more so because it was true. This family had to completely trust in the kindness of strangers and this they found in abundance! Read it, you will love it. I immediately bought six more copies and gave them away to people who had a special place in my heart. I now have a special place in my heart for Samuel. It is a beautiful book!

This is an excellent book

If you are reading this you are probably interested in buying it. I really suggest you do. I knew the author personally, he was my pastor. He was a great man, writer and individual. Unfortunately he died several years ago, but part of him still lives on through his ability to touch others with his tremendous ability to write. Bob, as we called him, writes about an Amish boy who is caught in a threshing machine. A boy named Samuel. His father first thinks him dead, but after hearing a slight moan they rush him to the hospital. Samuel lives. His condition allows him to have a phone in his house (which usually isn't permitted in Amish homes) for medical emergencies. It isn't just a tale about a boy, but how we put our faith in Jesus to heal not only our broken body, but our broken spirit. It is an inspirational story, and if you like it, I suggest Bob's other books which are Tinyburg Tales, Tinyburg Revisited, Nickel's Worth of Skim Milk, Penny's Worth of Minced Ham (both about growing up in the Depression), and several others. His work is always uplifting, getting you to focus on God, not on yourself and your own problems. I highly recommend anything he has ever written, because I have read them all. They are all a gift, just as the man himself was to me. Bob, you're missed.