Life in an Amish Community (Way People Live)

Wagner, Katherine

ISBN 10: 1560066547 ISBN 13: 9781560066545

Publisher: Lucent Books, 2001

Synopsis

Discusses the origins of Amish culture and how Amish people currently live, discussing religion, education, community life, and health.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-This book covers much of the same ground as Jean Kinney Williams's The Amish (Watts, 1996). Like that title, it explains who the Amish are and why they have chosen to live apart from the rest of society, eschewing modern technology. Well-documented passages relate information on the sect's history; education, worship, and marriage practices; daily life; interaction with "Englishers" (their more worldly neighbors); challenges relating to pacifism; and current social and economic problems. Wagner's book, however, is packaged more tightly with smaller type and frequent subheadings organize the six chapters. The author also uses many more sources, which are listed in chapter notes and in an extensive annotated bibliography. Primary sources are quoted throughout the text and in sidebars, offering everything from a bookmobile librarian's perspective on the group's reading habits to an excerpt from an Amish mother's diary. In the introduction, the author begins by assuming readers believe that "-a culture that embraces the old and familiar seems odd," but this is a minor quibble. Most of the material is presented objectively and provides welcome insights. Wagner refers to a number of communities throughout the country, mentioning similarities and differences. Adequate black-and-white photographs appear throughout.

Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-10. Wagner does a thorough job introducing the Amish in this new volume in the Way People Live series, looking first at the Ordnung, rules that govern members of the community, and some of the more obvious things that distinguish the Amish--clothing, transportation, language. She follows with an overview of the group's development from roots in a European reformation movement that began in the 1500s, and a look at various traditions around which the community is built--from Sunday worship to schooling to work, even to death. She also touches on contradiction and controversy within the ranks (the use of cars in some communities) and the difficulties (harassment by outsiders, for example) members regularly face. A solid, well-written, well-organized introduction to a dedicated group of pacifists who maintain a slow pace in a world where technology, speed, and self-interest are often used to measure success. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Lucent Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1560066547
• ISBN 13: 9781560066545
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 112