Customer Reviews (10)

Blood of the Prodigal
This is the first book in the Ohio Amish Mysterys by this author.It starts a little slow, but don't give up,it gets better.Each book in the series is a little better than the last. I am on the 4th one and can say I have really enjoyed reading them. These books are suitable for all ages and pretty good reads.

Amish Tale
I found this a very interesting book with many insights into the Amish of the Ohio. It was well written and flowed easily. It had a bit of a bash at the end.

Great
Although I haven't had a chance to read it yet; can't wait to get started.

Quick and Intriguing book
I bought the book yesterday after hearing the author give a speech at the library. He entertained us royally with stories of the Amish lifestyle and I knew that I just had to buy his books. So far, I've only read one (it sure is a quick book!) and I had to force myself not to cheat and figure out the ending before the end of the book.

It was worth the wait.

This is a novel that I am proud to say is from Ohio. I have been in Holmes County but not to gawk at the Amish. We have Amish living near by just half an hour away. We see them all the time on our way to Indiana.

This book, Gaus' debut novel, is about the father/son relationship in an abstract way. Branden, a professor at a local college, was called upon to find an Amish bishop's grandson who was kidnapped by his father. The search leads to murder and suddenly, the hunt for the missing boy becomes urgent. With detective reasoning by the young sheriff deputy, Branden and Branden's wife, the race to find the boy intensifies.

This is a gripping novel and it is surprising that it hasn't been moved up the bestseller's lists. It really is a well-written novel and intense. If you are interested in learning more about the Amish, this is an excellent novel to start with. It gives you the basics of the Amish faith and why they do the things the way they do.

It is a great read for summer if you're looking for something quick to read.

4/21/08

A Fantastic, Captivating Read!
I could hardly put this book down! I read it entirely in two evenings and enjoyed it immensely. This author knows all the details of the Amish lifesyle and has a way of putting it into words that can really peak your interest! Get you hands on it as soon as you can...you won't be sorry! ... Read more

Product Description

Cookbook From Amish Kitchens is a Good Books publication.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Quality
These series of books have some tried and true recipies and has become a valuable addition to my cookbookarea

Simple and spectacular
This simple small book of soup recipes has some of the best tasting soups we have ever had.
Using everyday ingredients, you can create a delicious, satisfying soup for anyones taste. Really a terrific find. Easy to follow recipes are good for any level of cooking experience.

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients and techniques; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED.

Cookbook from Amish Kitchens: Soups
Excellent in all phases: description was the selling point for me for my soup-loving gift recipient. It was all it claimed to be, shipped and received timely and in excellent condition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED.

A wounderful book full delicous meals heary or light!
This book is truley amazing! My husband will not eat dinner without meat. My daughter will only eat chicken. And my son is allergic to Veal. You might see my dellema now. I could never find any meals that the entirefamily would enjoy. Until I found this book. You will adore it from thestart. We live near amish neighborhood, because we live out in the country.Who said that these are resipies they have been enjoying fro years! Atfirst I thought nothing would work for my family but I tried it any way andfound it to have the most popular dishes in the house! We use this book fordinners at least 4 times a week! My family adores this book and so willyours.

Amazon Fan, Jan Goodman ... Read more

Product Description
America's Amish Country II (Revisiting America's AmishCountry) is a complete photo documentation of the Amish Lifestyle inmost of the settlements in the US and Canada and their Europeanhistory before moving to the US.376 full color photographs, 144pages, full color dustjacket ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Hard to pinpoint.
While some of the photography was beautiful, there were a couple of things that I disliked about the book.

The first was the fact that I felt like I was intruding.It didn't seem that the people photographed had always consented. [Many Amish do not like to have their photographs taken, because of a Biblical passage.]Some of them seemed like they had allowed the photographer in, but in some photos I just couldn't help feeling that something wasn't right.

The second was the layout.I thought the book was very poorly layed out and could have been much more effective if it had been properly laid out. There is a lot of interesting information held within the pages of this book, if you know where to look.[It is difficult to find captions for pictures, etc.]

It is, however, an informative guide to the Amish.

Showcases a very special way of life in America
America's Amish Country II is a beautifully photographed, survey of Amish areas spread out through twenty-two states and Ontario, Canada. Each of the 376 full color photographs depict some aspect of the Amish way of life including close knit families, self reliance, strong work values, barn raising, threshing rings, field plowing, hog butchering, deer hunting, pea shelling, clothes washing, vegetable garden work, young scholars, youth group activities, fishing, family picnics, sports, baseball, volleyball, horse shoe pitching, ice skating, and more. Leslie Kelly's text and captions serve to enhance Doyle Yoder's spectacular photography. America's Amish Country II is a splendid, highly recommended example of a photo essay volume showcasing a very special way of life in America. ... Read more

Product Description

Here at last is an authentic portrait of the Amish, in striking photographs and honest accounts of their daily concerns and enduring traditions. Photographer Lucian Niemeyer earned the trust and friendship of Amish families by helping to harvest crops on their farms in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, site of one of the oldest Amish settlements in North America. After "many backbreaking days" in the fields, he gained acceptance in a community that draws sharp lines of separation from the outside world--and has, by tradition, shunned photography. With the encouragement of his Amish friends who welcomed the chance to correct inaccurate accounts of Amish ways, Niemeyer began to assemble this honest and sensitive photographic record. He worked without filters or darkroom manipulations, using only natural light. The results are unprecedented--photographs of families, community gatherings, even the seldom seen interiors of Amish homes and schools. These unique images capture the deliberate simplicity and the natural beauty that characterize Amish life in Lancaster County.

In the accompanying text, Donald Kraybill--author of the highly acclaimed Riddle of Amish Culture--tells the often surprising story of today's Old Order Amish. His introduction provides a sweeping overview of Amish life in North America and explains how a traditional people have managed not merely to survive but to flourish in the midst of modern life. In thirty-five "vignettes" throughout the book, Kraybill explains Amish views on issues ranging from "Childbirth" and "Women Entrepreneurs" to "The Riddles of Farm Machinery," "Sowing Wild Oats," and "The Politics of Separation." His concluding essay examines why modern observers are so drawn to the Amish and their traditional values.

Customer Reviews (1)

Old Order Amish
Old Order Amish: Their Enduring Way of Life, explores the Amish in modernAmerican in general, and the settlement of Amish people in Lancaster CountyPennsylvania, in particular.This book not only has fascinating text whichthrows the reader right into the heart of what it means to be Amish, butalso has breathtaking photographs of life in and around the village ofIntercourse, just some 60 miles west of Philadelphia.The author exploresmany of the differeent aspects of Amish life, such as: farming, religion,courting, marriage, childbirth, business & industry, education &politics.This book is well worth the price; I thoroughly enjoyed it! ... Read more

Product Description
A leading expert on Amish life and cooking traditions selects choice recipes which are favorites among these people, known for their plentifully spread tables. Delectable and bursting with flavor! Amish families gather around their long kitchen tables for three meals together every day. It may be routine, but the food they enjoy is beyond the ordinary. Delicious Amish Recipes includes Cracker Pudding, Fresh Meadow Tea, Potato Rolls, Baked Corn, Chicken Roast, Shoofly Pie, Whoopie Pies, and many, many more tasty favorites, all easy to prepare. ... Read more

Product Description
Hard workers, lunch box carriers, and children who hike a distance to school or the bus stop find snacks (sweet or salty) and special drinks a happy reward.Cooks turn out candy, snacks, and pleasing beverages to surprise and celebrate.It’s time for a break or a party!One of 12 cookbooks from Amish kitchens! The recipes in this series overflow with the good, old-fashioned food which comes from some of the world’s best cooks. These handsome cookbooks have sold more than 800,000 copies! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients and techniques; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED.

It was scrumptious!
Yum,Yum,Yum.A fantastic book filled with great Amish treats ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Simple yet Delicious
This is a very petite book but I have tried several of the recipes and they are quite delicious! Only downside is that the book is small and that there are no pictures

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients and techniques; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Product Description

Cookbook From Amish Kitchens is a Good Books publication.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients and techniques; nothing fancy. Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book on Amish life and history
I bought this book probably 8 years ago in Arthur, IL in a Mennonite Music/Bookstore. If has been very informative and entertaining. About once a year, I read it again (I'm 1/2 way through it now).

The only bad thing about the book is the binding on my copy. The color pictures near the back tend to come out after time. I don't know how to keep the from falling out, but I just make sure I don't lose them. It can also be a little confusing at times to read. The book was originally published in German then translated into English. I think this accounts for the hard reading at times (but not very often).

The chapter on anabaptist history is fascinating. The author had access to public records in Germany, and he has a personal knowledge of the regions these particular Amish came from. I've read many books on the Amish. Almost all of them include a short history, but this is the most interesting by far.

Also, the author lived with the Amish for a time. He ate with them, went to their church services and weddings, and helped them on the farm. He knows them probably better than any outsider does. He doesn't know the Amish on an academic level, he knows them personally. They have opened up their lives to him, and he did them justice with this book.

In short, if you are interested in getting to know a little more about the Amish, whether this is your first or hundredth book on them, you have to get this book. It will give you more knowledge and information than most of the other books combined.

a thruout story of amish lifestyle and culture
I took interest in the amish lifestyle visiting an amish area in Indiana. I bought Langins book in order to outweight the popular and tourist atmosphere there. And the book sure did that.

By now I have red the book twice and it is on my top ten of books you just need to read. Langin stayed with the amish and this book is a personal experience of amish farmlife mixed with detailed descibtions on the anabaptist history. His knowledge of the swiss german language adds a little extra to the book.

In short - my favourite ... Read more

Product Description
This book is now out of print from Herald Press.
Hosteler's authoritative book has sold more than 700,000 copies in various editions. The author introduces the Amish people, describes their way of life, views of themselves and outsiders, their mission in the world, social institutions, family and education, unique community customs, and their small-scale approach to agriculture, sacrifices, and rewards. Full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A life shaped by faith
This pamphlet defines the Amish lifestyle both in photographs and words.Although the author, John A. Hostetler (1918 - 2001) was born into an Old Order Amish family, he himself was never baptized into the Amish community.As an adult, he joined the Mennonite Church.He first published this pamphlet in 1952 to counteract inaccurate popular literature on the Amish.It has remained in print ever since.It is a simple, straightforward introduction to a way of life that we 21st Century 'Englishers' find hard to understand.

The religion of the Amish people originates in sixteenth century Europe coincident with the beginning of the Protestant reformation.Zurich, Switzerland was the original home of the Anabaptists who disagreed with the 'mainstream' Protestants of the time over infant baptism.The Anabaptists believed that baptism should only be conferred on adults who were willing to following the disciplines of the new Church.They also renounced oaths, reveling and drunkenness, the use of force in war or civil government, and personal adornment.They have and will "move to other lands rather than take up arms or defend themselves."

One of the interesting sections in "Amish Life" defines this Order's view of other Anabaptists, most especially the Mennonites.There is also a discussion on how Amish spiritual rebirth and baptism differ from the religious commitment of modern fundamentalist Christians.

Even though the Plain people don't make an effort to convert outsiders to their way of life, their numbers are increasing.When I was a child, I don't think there were any Amish in my county.Now every parking lot in town has at least one hitching post for horse-drawn vehicles.The Amish seem to be much more efficient at farming the land up here than the 'English' (that's the rest of us):"The account of creation and the parables in the Bible inform the Amishman that he must be a steward of the soil...The Amish believe that with good management the land will not only yield a livelihood, but as in the Garden of Eden, their farms should reflect pleasantness and orderliness."

This author also explains the practice of 'shunning,' the biblical basis of which is found in the teaching of Paul (1 Corinthians 5:11).It is one of the practices that separate the Amish from the Mennonites.

The final few pages of this 48-page pamphlet discuss both the cost of being Amish, and the joys and satisfactions of full participation in an Amish community.The author's final words on his subject are:"In a world that has grown cold for lack of human contact, traditional communities like the Amish have important lessons to teach us."

Amish Life

This book was of course written in the pre-Internet days when there was a need for such basic overviews, but now that the kind of information contained therein is readily available, the book is largely redundant. Still, I was fortunate enough to come across a copy cheap and it is a welcome addition to my small collection of books on the Amish as it still is an interesting read.

Brief description of Amish life....
This is a good, general-purpose overview of Amish life.There are better, more thorough books on the topic, but this will give the layman a good introduction.

For more information, I would recommend "On the Backroad to Heaven: Old Order Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish, and Brethren", by D. Kraybill. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Champion and Critic of the Amish, Their Scribe and Their Prophet
This well-crafted biography is a significant contribution to the study of Amish Mennonite history and culture, yet it is more than that.Prize-winning poet Julia Kasdorf is so successful in presenting Joseph W. Yoder (1872-1956) as a real person in a credible narrative that I found Fixing Tradition hard to put down.

Kasdorf not only gives us Yoder as a real person, but makes a convincing case for why he merits the substantial study she has given him.Over many years he devoted considerable energy to the advancement of both higher education and popular singing among the Mennonites.Sometimes described as "the first successful Mennonite writer," he combated mainstream American misunderstanding of the Amish through his Rosanna of the Amish, which remains in print today.A controversial figure throughout much of his life, Yoder was a champion and a critic of the Amish, their scribe and their prophet.He was progressive, intriguing, enigmatic, and stubborn.

Kasdorf's portrayal of Yoder as a figure working to bridge Amish Mennonite society and mainstream American culture stimulates general questions about how high-commitment religious groups relate (and do not relate) to the dominant society around them.It also raises questions about the use and abuse of religious authority and the ways religious traditions speak to both their own adherents and outsiders.

Yoder's passionate opposition to the "prayer veil" worn by Mennonite women is an episode in early feminism, though the public voices in the controversy were those of men.It is also a vivid case study of how a particular practice may be connected to explosive questions of a religious tradition's self-understanding in an alien world.

Fixing Tradition opens windows on several notable social phenomena of a century ago, among them the pedagogy of singing in small communities, the widespread culture of bachelors, and "muscular Christianity" which under other names remains a vital factor in American religion today.Yoder's interests led him to stay connected with a wide variety of people and communities.

In this book's lovely epilogue, "Field Work and Folk Talk," Kasdorf recounts her research in the Big Valley region of Pennsylvania, an area that formed both her and Yoder.By approaching the people there with respect for their traditional emphasis on resemblance and repetition as ways of knowledge, she was able to enrich her understanding of someone who challenged tradition, who struggled to be both Amish and an American progressive.

Yoder's contemporary William Faulkner famously observed that "The past is never dead.It's not even past."Julia Kasdorf graciously suggests to the readers of Fixing Tradition that this is true for Joseph Yoder's people--and for all of us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A peek into another lifestyle...
If you're like me, you only have a basic knowledge of the Amish life.This book can help you gain a bit more insight and understanding of what it takes to be Amish.Various aspects of life are addressed:religion (which includes their history and worship), schooling, home life, and social life. It also discusses misconceptions, and how that even within the Amish there are variations from sect to sect.There are clearly labeled photographs, maps and sidebars of information.A full index, list of notes, works cited, and a 'for further reading' section is at the back.The one problem I had with the book was it seemed to jump all over the place, and didn't flow as I was reading.Some of it was logical, but other times it felt like the author didn't know where else to stick it, so she just added it to "leaner" chapters.This series does provide good information, though, and students would be able to access what they needed through the index.

Best book on the Amish I've read
This was a gift for my mother-in-law, who has read a lot of books on the Amish. She said this was the best book on the Amish she'd ever read. It answered a lot of questions she had wondered about and not found in her extensive Amish reading. She said the information was well-presented and she liked the way the author "put things". ... Read more

Product Description
A view of the Amish today as seen through the lifestyle of a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Classic Literary The-Verdict-is-Yours
Thinly-disguised as fiction, this excellent book by Ms Naylor presents an unbiased view of the Amish lifestyle in America. She examines their belief system, traditions, morals, religious and social goals all in highly readable language.Enhanced by the captivating pen and ink sketches of George Armstrong, this book soon gives up the pretense of plotline, expanding frankly into non-fiction.A reader could almost drown in so much researched material, but a real Amish family could read this work without qualms, as their values are given without "English" prejudice.

Fourteen-year-old Simon Stolzfus prefers book learning to farming; why can't he take pride in the simple, homespun occupations which satisfy his brothers? For generations the male patriarchs have cultivated a strong sense of family and land usage in harmomy with Nature.Is it right for the youngest brother to keep Simon's secret?Naylor leaves us wondering at the end how Benjamin, the grieving patriarch, will handle the explosive situation of his son's flagrant disobedience.Is compromise possible or the death knell to century-old tradition?What happens when a small Society begins to wink at its own prohibitions? And what happens to Amish youth who can't--or won't--fit into the predetermined niche?The verdict is yours--will you decide for young Simon or for the venerable patriarch? ... Read more

Product Description
A warm, moist, pungent smell through the house. A steaming loaf of bread just lifted from the oven! Thoughts of cinnamon rolls, glazed doughnuts, and corn pone will make any child hungry for home. For these foods are rich in flavor and affection and warm memories of big kitchens full of love.One of 12 cookbooks from Amish kitchens! The recipes in this series overflow with the good, old-fashioned food which comes from some of the world’s best cooks. These handsome cookbooks have sold more than 800,000 copies! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

According to my sister, these are good bread recipes
The Amish bread cookbook was a 'stocking stuffer' gift for my brother-in-law, who decided to try making his own bread. According to my sister, who's made several of the recipes, they are good and easy and don't require a lot of fancy ingredients. Please note that this is a booklet, not a huge book, and it's pretty basic......but the recipes are good and you can't beat the price.

Love this little Cookbook
I love this little cookbook.It has a variety of recipes.I have tried three of the recipes so far and each one has turned out very good and very tasty.For this money you can't pass this by.

very good food
these recipes are indeed well thought and written however if you aren't planning to feed McNails navy you better be good at dividing the amounts the raisen bread recipe was the first one I made when I saw it made 5 loafes I divided it by 2 they came out great and I could of done all 5.

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients and techniques; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED.

Home Baking!
No need for a bread machine with these recipes! Simple, down to earth, and best of all....Delicious! There is no substitute for the home made taste of fresh baked bread and muffins. These recipes are simple to follow, andeasy to make. The Potato Bread recipe is my personal favorite, but thenagain, mmm love those bran muffins also! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

don't waste your time
There are good books about the Amish.This is NOT one of them.Herbooks conflict each other with a love/hate relationship of the
Amish.Also do not support "amish" books that photograph the amish.This is offensive to them and against their religion!Any book by Garret on the Amish is one to avoid.

Amish Heritage
I am a fan of Ruth Irene Garrett.Her story here is in addition to her first book, "Crossing Over."

She has many fascinating photos (taken by her photographer husband, Ottie) that enhance the entire documentary of Amish life as she experienced it first hand and chronicles the daily life of the Plain People who, by conscious choice, seperate themselves from the world.

Simply beautifully composed and edited, an insiders peek into the reclusive and closed life of the Amish in all its simplicity and domestic beauty.

Highly recommend all books by this enchanting author.

"Thumbs Up From Another X-Amish Lady!
Ruth Irene Garrett gets a sure "thumbs up" from me for "My Amish Heritage."The pictures are so beautiful and well processed.At times, I thought I was in a time capsule, being zapped back to the farm in Lancaster County.At other times, I reflected the 10 mile an hour buggy rides down the flower-covered dirt roads!Remarkable!

Amasterful achievement
"My Amish Heritage, The Pictorial Journey Of Ruth Irene Garrett," is a collection of 450 or more of the most unusual and outstanding photographs I've ever seen of Amish life. You can tell from the very beginning that the photographer (Ottie Garrett) was having fun, but yet he was very serious about his work. The different types of photographs(action, stills, scenery and children) proves that there is an understanding between the photographer and his subject, an achievement in the art of photography. I personally feel that "My Amish Heritage" is a great follow up and accessory to Ruth Irene Garrett's book "Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life." Not only does it capture Ruth Irene's life in the Amish world but her transformation to the modern world. It also gives the reader a closer look at the real world of the Amish. Ruth Irene and Ottie have given us an insight into the Amish world that is seldom ever seen. Turner Publishing's presentation of "My Amish Heritage" should be commended for an excellent job. If the saying is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then this book is priceless. ... Read more

Product Description

Amish Kitchen Cookbooks Pies is a Good Books publication.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The definition of "Old-Fashioned"...
I have all of these adorable little 'Cook Books from Amish Kitchens', and have really enjoyed them.The are very small and simple... the complete opposite of a coffee-table/display-style cookbooks we see most often today. This is a thin pamphlet with matte paper and does not include interior photos of any recipes (excluding the cover).The text is in a handwritten-style font and clearly explained.The recipes are very homey with basic ingredients; nothing fancy.Simple, delicious recipes in a simple, small booklet. RECOMMENDED.

LOTS OF OLD FASHIONED GOODNESS ON THESE PAGES!
I ordered several of these small pamplet-like cookbooks and was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful recipes inside.Many excellent cream and fruit pie recipes with that special taste you can't buy at the grocery store.Easy to read and no nonsense.Lots of goodness (and recipes) in a small book. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

An enlightening read that should not be overlooked
No technology, little travel, the Amish life seems simpler. "Visits with the Amish: Impressions of the Plain Life" are the reflections of Linda Egenes on her visits with her Old Order Amish neighbors and what she learned during her travels and time spent with them. Painting a picture of their lives, she provides much insights into the lives of these people that outsiders would not often know. "Visits with the Amish" is an enlightening read that should not be overlooked.

An Intimate Glimpse
into the lives of the Amish is something that not many people get to experience. How lucky was Ms. Egenes! She dispensed my view that they are serious and somber all the time. It seems like they have lots of fun and are just as happy as non-Amish people, even though they don't have T.V., computers, etc. The book holds your interest from cover to cover, especially since most chapters aren't too long. Good reading!

A Lovely Gift
I wanted a gift for my Aunt Carolyn and came across Visits with the Amish. The title attracted me and I knew it would be of interest to my aunt, as well.Questions came up about the Amish whenever I saw a horse-drawn buggy bravely trot down a main road here in Iowa. Wouldn't it be nice to visit the Amish and have so many questions about their lifestyle answered? Don't tell my aunt, but I read "her book" first and found detailed, simple, and clear answers to my questions. I also liked the warm format of "visits." It felt like I was there, in person, at home with the Amish and, fair warning, time flew by quickly as I got totally immersed; this informative book is easy reading. The beauty, simplicity, and warmth of the Amish are reflected in every aspect, from the beautifully designed cover, to the simple and well placed illustrations, and to the clarity of chapter organization. Time to wrap it up; Visits with the Amish is a great gift!

A Treat for the Senses
Visits with the Amish ushers readers into the timeless beauty of areverent and joyous society. Whether quilting with the ladies, watching menmake saddles, or playing tag with school children, Egenes describes hersubjects with intimacy and accuracy.

The book is a delightful treat forthe senses. The taste of home-made ice cream; the sound of church hymnssung a capella; the image of a bonetted-girl riding her horse bareback-these are just a few of the impressions that stick with you. At oncelyrical, funny, touching and informative, Visits with the Amish, leavesreaders with the sense that the "plain life" is anything but. ... Read more

Product Description
SEE PHOTOS FOR TABLE OF CONTENTS, ETC. !! This book is a stapled paperback, author has signed inside... ... Read more

Product Description
“Sarah's Seasons gives us insight into the life of an Old Order Amish woman—something rare and hard to come by.It also records the growing friendship between Martha Davis and Sarah Fisher and the juxtaposition of the author's life with her subjects.”—Mary Swander, author of Out of This World

“Have you ever kept a diary?” With that question author Martha Davis sets out on her journey into the quietly remarkable life of an Old Order Amish woman know to us as Sarah Fisher.Sarah not only kept a diary but welcomed Martha to read it and to view the world through her eyes.The even, peaceful tenor of Sarah's diary entries and the closeness to nature of her life and work will make readers question the pace and values of their own lives, and the degree of social interconnectedness in Sarah's world will offer a model for many of us outside it.

Sarah's brief daily notations, recorded on a calendar throughout 1976 and 1977, reveal an ongoing account of her seasonal routine.In many ways the straightforward simplicity of her writing is a reflection of her life near rural Kalona, Iowa, a life filled with what Martha Davis calls look-easy tasks undertaken without the conveniences of electricity, phones, or automobiles.For Sarah, diaries are a record.“A diary can settle a question, a disagreement,” she tells Martha.“You look back and see what took place.That's history.”

Through their conversations, Martha soon discovered she had more in common with Sarah than diary writing.Though Davis lived in the mainstream culture, an “English” person as the Amish say, like Sarah she grew up on a farm in rural Iowa during the 1950s and 1960s.Like Martha, Sarah had spent several years as a teacher.

In Sarah's Seasons Martha Davis shares their common experiences and common interests—gardening, quilting, and cooking.Alongside Sarah's diary, Martha presents their shared recipes and conversations as well as reflections on her own more modern existence.Because of her friendship with Sarah, the author found a new sense of belonging to and purpose in the mainstream world.In the end, Sarah's diary becomes for Martha a meditation on time and community.Amazon.com Review
When an unlikely friendship was seeded between Sarah Fisher,an Amish woman in rural Iowa, and Martha Moore Davis, an"English" from outside Fisher's Old Order community, oneoutcome was this quiet, unassuming, often lovely book. In Sarah'sSeasons Davis braids together Fisher's brief diary entries markingthe seasons and the daily work of a community that spurns modernconveniences. One typically spare entry relates: "In the evening,Eli took Katie to Lloyds. We stopped at Dad's to see Mom. Went tohospital. Barbara was born." No earthshaking insights arespilled, just the ebb and flow of a life that harks back to oldertimes when God and family reigned and folks came together to help oneanother with tasks too big for a few hands. Recipes and conversationsfurther point up the contrasts between the lives led by Fisher andDavis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

an amish inspiration
I find this book very inspiring and admire Sarah Fisher so much for her role as a wife and mother and because she is so productive in her daily life. Her love for her family and for her Amish Community is what we should all strive for. I would love to see a picture of her but know that would have showed pride in the book. I enjoyed her thoughts on gardening, cooking, spirituality and writing. I get more out of it each time I read it.....good read....

Sarah's Seasons
This book is simply the diary of a young Amish housewife and mother going about her daily chores of cooking, sewing, cleaning, and rearing children.Interesting, but not particularly engaging look into the ordinary life of an Amish woman & the impressive amount of activity she crams into a single day in her life.

EllieandBoo
Reading this wonderful book made me wish for a plain and simple life. Reading about Sarah and her everyday life made me feel Like I really knew her and this book reminded me of a time when I was much younger... with children...a husband and a house to run. Sarah takes life as it comes and seems to let nothing bother her. Her faith in God keeps her on a steady path. She is someone I would like to cross paths with. Birthing her babies, her mothers death...the cycles of life are all handled with dignity and grace. This is one book that I will keep onmy book shelf.

Sarah, Plain and Raw
For those unfamiliar with Amish diaries, Sarah's musings are far from the emotion filled journal entries one commonly sees in the English world. Sarah's record keeping consists of three to five lines of basic news, usually including the weather and family illnesses, scribbled on a feed calendar. Martha Davis doggedly tries to find and analyze greater substance and meaning behind the two years worth of day to day activities noted in this way by her Amish friend. I'm not sure she succeeded, as her conclusion mirrors her repeated observations that Sarah's life is slower and more anchored in daily task work. It was still rewarding to read the news from Sarah's community in Kalona, Iowa during the 1976-77 years, and no doubt it has changed minimally since then. Overall, it was an enjoyable book that felt like a warm blanket, and I can't help but recommend it.

For the curious, Sarah (Fisher) died some years back, and she'd probably be very surprised by how many people continue to enjoy this elaboration of her calendar.

A Beautifully Portrayed Work!
My co-worker loaned me this book. For I used to be a member of an Old Order Amish sect.What I found in the diary were true emotions and experiences that a woman faces living in an Old Order Amish sect.This is a beautifully portrayed work.I recommend it, as well as, "The Storekeeper's Daughter", by Wanda Brunstetter, and "My Amish Heritage", by Ruth Irene Garrett.

Sicily Yoder aka Teresa Phillips
Author of, "Leaving Lancaster County." ... Read more