Product Description


As a nurse-midwife in Amish country, Amber Bradley helps expectant mothers have their babies safely at home. But when Hope Springs' new doctor arrives, he insists all maternity patients deliver at a hospital. Amber is determined to show Dr. Phillip White that the Amish have a different way of life, one he needs to respect if he expects any patients at all. But even as he becomes more a part of the community, Amber must remember his stay is just temporary. Unless she can convince Phillip he's found the home--and heart--he's always been looking for.

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Customer Reviews (1)

The Doctor's Blessing


Amber Bradley is a nurse midwife in Amish country, helping Amish women to be able to deliver their babies safely at home. But when the new doctor arrives in Hope Springs, he is totally against home births and refuses to sign the release forms to allow her to do her job.

Dr. Phillip White is the grandson of the owner of the clinic, and he is there on a temporary basis while his grandfather recuperates from an injury. Phillip is expecting his stay to be relatively quiet in the rural area, but is stunned to find it is largely Amish. When the Amish refuse to patronize him, he loses most of his patient base due to his refusal to allow home births.

Amber is attracted to the handsome doctor but angered by his refusal to recognize her career as real and viable. What will it take to convince Phillip to recognize Amber as a midwife, the Amish right for home birth, and to decide that maybe Hope Springs isn't so backwoods after all?

THE DOCTOR'S BLESSING is the second book in Ms. Davids Brides of Amish Country series. While not technically an Amish book, the Amish are well represented, and there is a lot of facts given about them and their lifestyle in this book. I enjoyed a midwife theme too, as I had most of my children at home with a midwife.

THE DOCTOR'S BLESSING is very well written and I couldn't help but care for Amber and Phillip. The characters from the first book also made appearances. If you are looking for a good romance, then don't miss THE DOCTOR'S BLESSING. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.
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Product Description

Readers who have loved Gayle Roper’s first two books in the charming Amish Farm series will be delighted with the concluding book, A Rose Revealed.

Rose Martin became a nurse because she wanted to help people in pain. And she has come to realize that part of being a nurse means encountering death. But death by natural causes….not by murder. So when cancer-stricken Sophie Hostetter is murdered, Rose begins asking questions. Soon she’s drawn into a maze of family secrets that endanger her own life. Her growing attraction to Amish-raised Jake Zook further complicates her life. His resentment toward her is puzzling—after all, she helped save his life. Why will he not allow her to share that life now?

Readers who love an Amish setting, mystery, and romance will be turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.

About This Series: Prolific author Gayle Roper’s popular Amish Farm series was first released before the Amish fiction genre exploded. Now reissued, the contemporary series is reaching a wide new audience among Amish-reading book buyers.

Product Description
Upon moving to Minnesota and living next to an Amish community, I was intrigued to learn about Amish life. That moment came, when I was working in my garden one Sunday. A brother and sister of the nearby Amish family decided to come over and talk to me while they went for a walk. I was flattered to get to know some of the family. My husband came out to greet them as well. I knew in my heart that I was going to be a part of this moving, beautiful story of which this was only the beginning. I, being a patient soul, was prepared to get to know, learn, offer help, and advise, if they asked of me, or when I thought they needed to know something. I only wanted to help them, especially a young Amish woman, succeed in their way of life. All human emotions from sad, happy, indifferent, and outright hilarious, at times, are evident. There is an element of suspense in the story. Shortly after, it was time to end and put down my pen. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Amish cookbook
Many good recipes to try.I,m sure it will be handy.
Going to buy # 2 cookbook.

Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review
A true sense of Amish pride radiates from the pages of Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 2. In this one book you can almost feel the love transmit from the author to the reader as she reveals the simplistic beauty that captures the purity of the land and way of life through the many pictures included with each recipe.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 2 consists of two hundred Amish County recipes. Each one is a tantalizing tribute to the Amish community. Some of my favorite recipes included:

Iced Cinnamon Biscuits
Maple Twist Rolls
Beef Volcanoes
Million Dollar Fudge

In addition Ms. Brunstetter includes information about the Amish communities that are in the United States. I was amazed to learn that the Amish community has grown to a population of over two hundred nationwide. Some of the places in which the Amish reside include Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, Tennessee, and Christian County, Kentucky.

As an added bonus to the many recipes this book contains there is a unique section that offers home product recipes that include: earache remedy, cough syrup, and air freshener. This section was a welcome addition since it shows how to make useful products with natural ingredients.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook Volume 2 is an outstanding collection of the best recipes you will ever experience. You will find that this book becomes a permanent fixture in your recipe collection. It will be one book that you will proudly pass on to future generations.

Not just another cookbook!
The thing I love most about this cookbook is that Wanda spends a lot of time with the Amish folks herself, so you can be certain that these recipes are time tested and authentic.If you are curious about the foods that the Amish eat, then this is the book for you because the recipes are easy.There are no "hard to find" spices or ingredients and the food is delicious!!I absolutely love the introductions before the recipes.I actually sat down and "read" this cookbook which is something you don't typically do with a cookbook.This alone makes it a great gift for any occasion, as to me, it is not just another cookbook!

Love the receipes and pictures~
I love the selection of recipes in Wanda's cookbook~! The lemon bars from Holmes County Ohio are wonderful! I have been to Holmes County and it is so great to see it in her book~ Also I used to live in Florida, so the Sarasota area is also wonderful to see in her book, and of course ALL of the receipes! Wanda gives such great insight into the Amish with this book, even though a cookbook! Any cook would love this one! I really recommend it to anyone interested in the Amish and their world. They are wonderful cooks and bakers! Hands off to Wanda for this one!

Amish Cooking
I bought both one and two of Wanda Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbooks.They are both wonderful.I love all the recipes...they sound delicious and are clear and easy to use.I especially love the stories she writes at the beginning of each chapter about the different sects of the Amish.They are facinating and welcome to help understand the groups a little better.

I would recommend either book. ... Read more

Product Description
The keys to better business from a thriving group of business owners-the Amish

Business can be discouraging. According to US Department of Labor figures, only 44 percent of newly-opened firms will last four years. Amish firms, on the other hand, have registered a 95% survival rate over a five-year period. And in many cases, those businesses do remarkably well-as Donald Kraybill writes: "the phrase 'Amish millionaire' is no longer an oxymoron." Success Made Simple is the first practical book of Amish business success principles for the non-Amish reader. The work provides a platform of transferable principles--simple and universal enough to be applied in the non-Amish world, in a wide variety of business and management settings.

• Learn how to develop profitable and fulfilling enterprises as Amish explain how to build fruitful relationships with customers and employees, prosper by playing to strengths, and create an effective marketing story
• Includes interviews with over 50 Amish business owners outline the role of relationships in business and the importance of the big picture-taking in long-term goals, the welfare of others, and personal integrity
• Offers ideas on practical application of Amish business practices to non-Amish businesses, with bullet summaries at the end of each chapter reviewing the most important take-away points

With a focus on relationship-building and the big picture, Success Made Simple offers business owners everywhere the tools for better, smarter, more successful enterprises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Intriguing, winsome, and insightful
Though they are unplugged, informally educated, and committed to the mores of 1693, the Amish are genius business men--and women, flourishing far beyond the average rate of success in 2010. Erik Wesner's book is full of fascinating stories of how the Amish thrive in commerce through old-fashioned, counterintuitive methods that sometimes fly in the face of our "fancy" modern business methods. My late dad, a small bookstore owner, would have loved this book's advice; he already followed its credos of taking care of your employees, going above and beyond in customer service, and creating honest, well-crafted products that hearken back to the days before everything was made in China and Guam. Any small business owner will be inspired and informed, and anyone interested in the Amish will find tons of tidbits about Plain life from someone who knows this sub culture extremely well. Here is a novel and fresh business book with broad appeal!

Vivid Stories and Quality Business Lessons
Author Erik Wesner, who writes the excellent AmishAmerica blog, spent two years researching Amish businesses in Pennsylvania and Ohio. His new book, "Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive" is the result.

By weaving together the Amish experience, common business knowledge, and ideas from mainstream business gurus, Wesner derives business lessons for the rest of us. As the title suggests, the Amish remind us that business doesn't have to be a complicated venture.

Here's a general summary of what's in each chapter:

Chapters 1 & 2: You learn about how the Amish use vision and faith to build successful firms. Next, Wesner explores how Amish people become successful with only an eighth-grade education, standard in the culture.

Chapter 3 describes the Amish approach to sales and marketing, which emphasizes relationship-building and customer service.

Chapter 4 dives more deeply into relationships and customer service. You also learn how the Amish tend their reputations and difficult clients.

Chapter 5 & 6 cover Amish approach to team-building, managing, and hiring. Many Amish people have to keep community interests at heart when hiring, firing, and motivating employees.

In Chapter 7, you learn how the Amish stay competitive. This includes how to compete in a friendly, sustainable way with others in your community--not something that's standard in so-called English (American) culture.

Wesner wraps up the book with the Amish definition of business and success, leading readers to ponder what community, success, and their overall goals mean to them.

Thoughts on style:

When I first started reading the book, I couldn't figure out whether Wesner was describing the Amish or imparting general business wisdom. He'd weave Amish tales, business expert quotes, and general business wisdom into the same section. After a little hesitation, however, the style grew on me. I ultimately saw it as unique and quite seamless.

If one thing about the book caught me off-guard, it was Wesner's gentle, respectful treatment of the Amish. Chock it up to bad media conditioning. I suppose I expect business books to dictate something to me, and this one didn't. It didn't assume wrong or right. It was respectful. (Hey, maybe we could use more of this.)

Wesner also has a knack for illustrating how the Amish operate in their day-to-day lives. His stories, anecdotes, quotes, and research made me feel like I knew the Amish. I could tell he spent a lot of time with them.

Thoughts on content:

If you read business books, you've probably already learned some of "Success Made Simple"'s business lessons, which cover general business topics like marketing and human resources. The lessons I found most useful, however, were those I hadn't heard before. These include how the Amish use faith as a catalyst for business motivation and success. Or how Amish treat competition when everyone's in the same community.

I was also fascinated to learn that the Amish don't go to court. That shines a new light on how to sift out and treat difficult customers without threatening them with legal action. These unique lessons, the ones you don't find everywhere else, made the book stand out.

Overall: A good read

"Success Made Simple" is one of those books everyone can benefit from. Its mellow style and interesting anecdotes make it a good commuting or poolside companion. I especially recommend this book for business students, anyone interested in general business lessons, or anyone interested in the Amish.

(book review by Drea Knufken)

Excellent Book for All Small Business Owners
There is a tremendous amount to be learned from Amish business owners, and Erik Wesner hits the target with Success Made Simple.

Here are some of the most powerful small business lessons that remained with me when I finished reading the book.

Your level of formal education doesn't determine your level of success -- Wesner explained in the book how many successful Amish business owners have just an 8th-grade education under their belts. Not to reduce the value of an education, but this really does exemplify how there's a lot more to business success than book smarts. As explained in the book, knowledge and experience can come from a multitude of places, including hands-on learning, having a mentor and/or reliable sounding board, and adopting a can-do-open-to-learning attitude.

There is no substitute for excellent customer service -- As business owners, happy clients/customers are the goal, and the book delves into all of the ways Amish business owners put the customer relationship first. Wesner describes how Amish business owners focus on customer satisfaction including providing a high-quality product/service, inviting word of mouth referrals, and showing appreciation for the best clients.

Storytelling is more than a bedtime ritual -- I love the marketing section of the book where Wesner discusses how many Amish business owners use a compelling narrative to boost their sales and marketing activities. This is an excellent way to engage your audience, and differentiate yourself from the competition ... necessary elements in all marketing campaigns.

Success Made Simple

Erik Wesner spent an intensive period of time in the Amish community even though he is not Amish himself. He started by trying to sell them books which he did with some success.

I always had a bit of childhood fascination with Mennonites who lived nearby as I was growing up. They are similar in many ways to the Amish. They dress in black, drive horse and carriages, don't believe in cars or electricity and generally live life more like the turn of the 1900's than today.

I learned that the Amish are opposed to automation because they place such a high priority on family and they think things like cars would allow people to travel too far away from family.

The Amish success in my opinion is built on their great work ethic. In general I've seen most highly successful businesses, are lead by leadership with great work ethic. And work ethic permeates the culture.

The Amish are highly religious. Because of that they can be quite calm in times of high stress. They turn there problems over to God rather than becoming twisted up inside.

There is an limit on Amish entrepreneurs because the church and the community frowns upon growing too fast and too big. I guess as in any entrepreneurs' situation, entrepreneurs need to be there own people and recognize the peer pressure just is.

In one sense I thought the Amish would have many disadvantages because of their lack of automation, however in business they are not opposed to using equipment and computers. I think being Amish has some advantages though too such as: work ethic, community, and even the Amish name which is quite well respected.

It's an interesting book that gave me some fascinating insights into the Amish people and although it's interesting I don't think I will become one

A Book of Common Sense
"Success Made Simple" is an excellent book of common sense. I'm always surprised by how uncommon common sense often is, how easily we forget these truths. What Erik Wesner has done is to take business principles from the Amish, break them down, and convey to the reader the best way to apply them. Erik has compiled many invaluable lessons into one readable, thoroughly enjoyable book. Well worth your time! ... Read more

Product Description
On Christmas Eve in 1985, a hunter found a young boy's body along an icy corn field in Nebraska. The residents of Chester, Nebraska buried him as "Little Boy Blue," unclaimed and unidentified-- until a phone call from Ohio two years later led authorities to Eli Stutzman, the boy's father.

Eli Stutzman, the son of an Amish bishop, was by all appearances a dedicated farmer and family man in the country's strictest religious sect. But behind his quiet façade was a man involved with pornography, sadomasochism, and drugs. After the suspicious death of his pregnant wife, Stutzman took his preschool-age son, Danny, and hit the road on a sexual odyssey ending with his conviction for murder. But the mystery of Eli Stutzman and the fate of his son didn't end on the barren Nebraska plains. It was just beginning. . .
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Customer Reviews (52)

I MAY not finish it --- LOUSY!!
I usually LOVE Gregg Olsen's stuff, but this book REEKS!WAY too many people to keep up with, and trying to follow his story line is like trying to have a meaningful relationship with a MOTH!And worse than that, the graphic detail is just GROSS --- WAY too much information about homosexual sex.I am about halfway through the book and I am ready to just forget about it, but I keep thinking that he will FINALLY get to the point and tell me how this miscreant got the punishment he so RICHLY deserves.The main reason I read true crime is that it restores my faith that the "bad guys" get their just deserts, unlike O.J. and Cullen Davis, but I digress.Gregg screwed up ROYALLY with this one.Don't waste your money.

It was OK, not his best work
While this book seemed to be well researched, it did tend to drag on in places, especially in the last third of the book or so. (I found myself skimming just to get to the end).I do enjoy Gregg Olsens' books, but this one was not one of my favorites. I did feel enormous sympathy for the little boy though, and was horrified by the amount of people who felt they "should have told authorities" and never did. I also felt a bit confused by all the characters and it seemed a bit disjointed. Overall, a mediocre read but if you like this genre, he is one of the better writers. Also, once again, as in the last Kindle book I bought by Olsen, no photos! Pet peeve. Grrr. I think all true crime books should have at least a few, since it is about real people and not ones we need to imagine.

God found Danny
Eli Stutzman 56yrs old HIVgay man and a Swartzentruber Amish was found dead Feb 6, 2007 in his apartment in Ft Worth, Texas of self inflicted stab wounds.His body was never claimed.

WHO WAS ELI ?Eli is the subject of a very good true crime book by Gregg Olsen.Gregg is almost as good as Jack Olsen.

It was never proved that Eli killed his pregnant wife in a fire nor that he killed his son Danny 9rs old but he did go to prison for a short time for abandoning Danny's body in Nebraska.He was convicted of killing his room mate and employee Glen in Texes and served time there.He was thought to be responsible for the deaths of several gay men in different states.

One reviewer says that ELI HAD NO SOUL. They are so right.There was no heart nor soul.Just EVIL. I hope he suffered greatly.

Eli always said that Danny died from an illness and he left the body out where GOD COULD FIND HIM.

You will have to read this book and make your own decision on whether he killed him or not.

This book is not for the prudish..you will learn a lot (more than you want to know) about gay/male sexual practices. Eli wasa SICK pervert.

Had Danny lived there is no telling how horrific his life would have been.At least he is with GOD now.

You will not be able to put this book down.

A STUDY IN INDIVIDUAL EVIL
Not living too far from an Amish area I picked up Abandoned Prayers by Gregg Olsen.It has been many years since I purchased this book.Before I begin this review I would like to make reference to M. Scott Peck's book People of the Lie.Peck's work was a study in the spiritual dimension of evil.Before reading Abandoned Prayers I would suggest you read People of the Lie first.The subject of this book, Eli Stutzman, was evil.The author does a great job of telling us about the life of a serial manipulator who, it seems, murdered friends, acquaintances and most revolting of all his wife Ida and his own son, Danny Stutzman.(He was never convicted of either ot these crimes, but the author shows, sadly, that this was probably due to botched police and coroner work.)Based on the author's research we see an Eli Stutzman who from when he could form his first words lied about everything.His father, a strict Swartzentruber Amishman, saw right through Eli from his childhood.But, Eli's manipulation of everyone he came in touch with moves beyond the title of "sociopath."Whether or not a person was Amish or "Englisher" Eli used a sorry tale to work his way into their psyche.Eli Stutzman was an individual caught up in the homosexual subculture of multiple constant sex partners.People only existed to feed Eli's desire for more sex and money.He used and abused everyone who came near to him.Reading this book I was revolted by Eli Stutzman and this speaks well of the author Gregg Olsen.Mr. Olsen paints a picture of pure evil.Eli Stutzman spent only 20 years in prison for the killing of one of his roommates.He was a suspect in at least two other murders of people who know him.Because of ill health he was paroled from prison.In the last few years Eli Stutzman committed suicide.If I have one complaint I would like to see the author of this book release a new edition with and addendum showing the life of Eli Stutzman in prison and any insights to his suicide.Finally, it should also cover the people who defend Stutzman's innocence until this day, most fascinatingly those include folks in the gay community and conservative Mennonites.This is non-fiction crime writing at its best.

Why, why didn't anyone report this man for abuse earlier??
Here is the question no one else seems to have asked: why, why didn't anyone turn Eli in? Here is a man who went through more gay lovers than I would have thought existed across the western states.

Eli attended orgies with gays and lesbians who actually saw Eli's son, Danny, being taught behavior that I won't even mention because it isn't fit to be read by anyone young.This was clearly, however, abusive behavior. It was clearly morally wrong.It clearly should have been reported.And if only someone had had the courage to report Eli, Danny would likely be alive today.

It is depressing enough to read about Danny's teachers, who guess that Danny was being abused, but did not have sufficient evidence to do anything about it. But it is more than depressing, it is horrifying, to realize countless people sawand did nothing.

Olsen is a great writer, and in Eli he has an unforgettable character to write about. ... Read more

Product Description

Holmes County, Ohio, is home to the largest and most diverse Amish community in the world. Yet, surprisingly, it remains relatively unknown compared to its famous cousin in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Charles E. Hurst and David L. McConnell conducted seven years of fieldwork, including interviews with over 200 residents, to understand the dynamism that drives social change and schism within the settlement, where Amish enterprises and nonfarming employment have prospered. The authors contend that the Holmes County Amish are experiencing an unprecedented and complex process of change as their increasing entanglement with the non-Amish market causes them to rethink their religious convictions, family practices, educational choices, occupational shifts, and health care options.

The authors challenge the popular image of the Amish as a homogeneous, static, insulated society, showing how the Amish balance tensions between individual needs and community values. They find that self-made millionaires work alongside struggling dairy farmers; successful female entrepreneurs live next door to stay-at-home mothers; and teenagers both embrace and reject the coming-of-age ritual, rumspringa.

An Amish Paradox captures the complexity and creativity of the Holmes County Amish, dispelling the image of the Amish as a vestige of a bygone era and showing how they reinterpret tradition as modernity encroaches on their distinct way of life.

Customer Reviews (4)

Very serious, photo & title notwithstanding. Read it
I've lived in Lancaster for a lifetime and have known dozens of Amish. It was particularly valuable to me that this study is of Holmes County as it detached me from my personal feelings and observations. I agree with a the other reviewer that the title and cover art are quite misleading, I passed the book by a couple of times before buying it but have discovered a really well done, objective sociological study of the ongoing adaptations to the surrounding culture.

I could go on forever about the food for thought this gives all of us who struggle to be in but not part of the world or even understand what that means. That is one aspect of the book. From an anthropological and sociological point of view, I don't think a one volume work could be better. Even I didn't know how unessential the horse has become in everyday life (here with the no-till agriculture you see less and less mules and horses in the fields, for instance).

Also, the most serious "issues" which divide the Amish like the shunning and the Rumspringa may not be apparent ot an outside observer (like me). You see with great clarity regarding these questions how useless words like "liberal" or "orthodox" are, especially when applied from within a tradition, but from outside, too. If you're interested in the Amish or great sociology, buy it.

Best and Scholarly
The two College of Wooster professors spent a decade doing a thorough study of the Amish culture of Holmes County Ohio. What makes the study of this religious/cultural group so unique is the geographic footprint of the study. The world's largest Amish community in concentrated in the small Ohio county with a total population of approximately 40,000 (40% Amish). This makes an ideal sampling for a learned sociologist and antropologist to do a study.

The treatment of the Amish is not intended to be a "tourist" type promotion, nor is it a critical and highly opinionated work. It is easy and very informative reading. This is the kind of study that is instructive for non-Amish readers in that issues faced by Amsih are not unique to them nor Holmes County.

The "Valley Girl" on the cover is likely the decision of the publisher to attract consumer attention, and not the authors. I may have read every local book on the subject. This is the best yet.

A fascinating and thought-provoking read!
Many people consider the Amish to be a static, homogeneous group and often mistakenly refer to them as Mennonites, which they are not. Hurst and McConnell's thoroughly researched and well-written book puts to rest these misconceptions and introduces the reader to a complex, heterogeneous community that is constantly evolving.The book benefits from Hurst and McConnell's proximity to the Amish community and the access they were given during their research.Although the book is fact-driven, it is easyand entertaining to read, not filled with professional jargon and sluggish, as many culture-based books are. Readers with children may be surprised to learn that many of the issues we 'English' parents face our Amish counterparts face, as well.I read the book over two days; the format made it easy to put down and pick up as my schedule permitted.If you are interested in learning more about the Amish this is the one book you must buy.

A welcome addition to religious studies, sociology, and American History shelves
Emeritus professor of sociology Charles E. Hurst and professor of anthropology David L. McConnell present Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World's Largest Amish Community, an extraordinary study of the largest and most diverse Amish community in the world, located in Holmes County, Ohio. Today, the Holmes County Amish are more involved than ever in the changing world at large, forcing them to reconsider their religious tenets, family practices, educational options, occupations, and health care opportunities. In an era where cell phones, school buses, and other modern implements are practically required for the functioning of a large community, modernity is gradually transforming the distinctly Amish way of life. Individual chapters address "Coping with Church Schism", "The Changing Landscape of Learning", "Work Within and Outside Tradition", "Health along the Life Cycle", and much more. A welcome addition to religious studies, sociology, and American History shelves, especially recommended for college libraries. ... Read more

Product Description
But what was your life like before? This is the question that Ruth Irene Garrett, nee Miller, has been asked again and again and again by the thousands of inspired and fascinated guests who have attended her lectures and programs on her life growing up Amish to young womanhood, when she fell in love with an Englischer and left the Amish community to begin her new life out in the world.In Born Amish we learn aboutRuth Irene Garrett s early life as a child growing up in the Amish farming community of Kalona, Iowa: school, games and chores; work, crafts and foods; clothing, farming and tumbling about with many brothers and sisters. We learn about the expectations for girls and boys in Amish families, of social roles and understandings about courtship and marriage, about adult baptism and a life of faith in the Amish Church. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Insight into an unfamiliar culture
A good read...the author reminds readers throughout the book that observations written about the Amish community in which she grew up are hers alone; that not all families live as she did, and her views are not necessarily reflective of all Amish communities. Her story gives readers a peek into the Amish community and answers some of the questions of "why" they live as they do. It also brings other questions to mind that are not answered such as why it is common for children and women to be treated unfairly or badly by persons who claim to follow God's teachings. Overall, interesting if you like human interest non-fiction.

one womans story not a true portrayal of the amish
book should be listed as fiction.it is ONE womans ALLEGED story, not a bible on the amsih as some seem to take it.Poorly written and biased, I would not recommend it.

Born Amish
Another winner from Ruth Irene Garrett.

This is an engrossing look at the many communities of Amish throughout the USA & Canada, highlighting the differences in each community.These unique aspects include the color of the buggy and whether it has a roof, the women's prayer Kapp, the Schwarzentruber strictness of literally every aspect of life's mundane necessities like hat band width or length of hem in a skirt.

The children are beautifully photographed in daily activities of life, as are the families captured in working together in the fields of the family farm.The role of animals are also professionally presented in vibrant photos.

Highly recommend this and every work by this writer, for all who love or are fascinated by the Amish.

born amish review
this was good book.you can learn a lot.some of it is hard to remember,such as which type bonnet etc.but it was good.she could have even went into more detail of the mistreatment she felt she received from her family,but its the amish way not to offend.nadia rehmani -authoor of sharper than a two edged sword-one woman's walk into Islam and out.thats my story

Born Amish Written By An Amish
This is the true story of how one woman made the change and left the Amish lifestyle. It tells of the personal struggles of leaving family and lifetime friends all behind to adventure into a new life and follow one's own convictions. Very well written and informative. You can almost feel the pain this lady went through to start her new way of life!
I feel that all books are over-priced and for that reason I give this book only four stars! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Free Google Books PDF was better
The story was great, a real joy to read. I bought this one after reading "Tillie, A Mennonite Maid," by the same author. It's a charming 100 year old novel featuring romantic feelings and a hint of the supernatural. I am a sucker for these Amish books, I guess. However, I found it distracting to read on the Kindle for PC, because of the unattractive formatting. I wound up finding it for free on Google books, and reading the PDF version. Because it was a scan of an actual book, complete with original font (a Century Schoolbook-type font, which I find very enjoyable to read because it reminds me of the books of my youth), I found it to be vastly superior. I wound up downloading a version of Tillie, A Mennonite Maid from Google as well because it had adorable illustrations!

The only thing the kindle book might have had to recommend it was the text to speech feature, because I do notice it's enabled. I guess that works if you own a Kindle. I haven't found a way to make that work on the kindle for PC. ... Read more

Product Description

Donald B. Kraybill has spent his career among Anabaptist groups, gaining an unparalleled understanding of these traditionally private people. Kraybill shares that deep knowledge in this succinct overview of the beliefs and cultural practices of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites in North America.

Found throughout Canada, Central America, Mexico, and the United States, these religious communities include more than 200 different groups with 800,000 members in 17 countries. Through 340 short entries, Kraybill offers readers information on a wide range of topics related to religious views and social practices. With thoughtful consideration of how these diverse communities are related, this compact reference provides a brief and accurate synopsis of these groups in the twenty-first century.

No other single volume provides such a broad overview of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites in North America. Organized for ease of searching -- with a list of entries, a topic finder, an index of names, and ample cross-references -- the volume also includes abundant resources for accessing additional information.

Wide in scope, succinct in content, and with directional markers along the way, the Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites is a must-have reference for anyone interested in Anabaptist groups.

Product Description
Explore the questions most people have about the Amish and Mennonites. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A good start....
20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites is a slim book of less than 100 pages.The 20 questions are frankly answered with only the most basic information, only a few pages really, but this was not meant to be a in-dept study.The questions, such as Why do they dress that way?and What are their weddings like?seem like something both adults and children may find interesting.I would suggest this book for anybody who wants to take a peek at their societies but does not really wish to spend too much on a huge hardcover book written by a scholar.
Some of the photos are old, having been first published in 1979 and only being reprinted in 1995.But the information itself is sound and many of the facts have been updated. I, frankly, find the reviews in which many people seem upset that the book is not in-dept amazing.A glance at it could tell you this is a Rest Stop Book.While in Pennsylvania I found this book was at every Rest Stop, every book store, gift shop, and every place you might stop to fill up on gas, food and guide books.Right next to the maps and trashy romance novels.If you want more please remember that this is the FIRST in a series of books, The People's Place Book series, and that other books deal with their homes, schools, buggies, recipes and so on.I suggest getting it for a start.

Rather too basic to be really useful
Although the Amish and Old Order Mennonites are remarkably fascinating for their simplicity, peacefulness and deep emotional ties that modern industrial society lacks so much, this book, which I originally found in a bargain bookshop near my home in Carlton, unfortunately does not offer a great deal that curious people (like myself) ought to know about these groups.

The first book in the "People's Place" series, the book answers many crucial question about these groups but does so in a rather shallow and stereotyped manner that is unlikely to help the reader deeply understand and make his or her own judgments about the qualities typical of these groups. Whilst they explain clearly many quesitons like why the Amish reject higher education or why they dress as they do, there is very little effort to relate them together in a coherent fashion to the lifestyle they lead. As a person with a great interest in what motivates people and societies, I cannot consider this a good thing.

The "People's Place" series may not have had a good start, but the much more detailed later books therein show it had much more potential than shown on this first title.

Take A Good Look
Take a good look at them. Anabaptist means rebaptizer. They were accused of being freeloaders on society.

A little too general, may be confusing
I would think most people buying this book are interested in conservative Amish and Mennonite groups, not the liberal/mainstream Mennonites. However, this book seems to make a point of explaining the liberal/mainstream views on issues without necessarily saying it is their stance and is contrary to conservative Mennonite/Amish views. Of course, this may be because the authors are mainstream Mennonite and feel just as much "Mennonite" as the ones in buggies. While I won't dabble with that topic in this review, I'm not so much opposed to them identifying mainstream Mennonite views so much as them not clearly identifying them as such and as a contrast. A bit of history of the conservative vs. mainstream movements during the 20th century would have gone a long ways, even if just a couple paragraphs, to explain why there are pictures on one page of a Beachy Amish congregation with segregated seating a plain dress, and then a woman with a short skirt smoking a cigarette on the other. "You mean, they're both Amish/Mennonite groups? How is that?" a reader may ask.

But, the book does cover some basic questions readers may have about conservative Amish and Mennonites. Perhaps the less publicized book by Stephen Scott, Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups (People's Place Book 12), by the same publisher would be a good introduction to conservative Mennonite groups. Scott is with a plain church and is a researcher at Elizabethtown College.

Anything by Donald Kraybill is usually a good place to start with the Old Order Amish, but he is a sociologist not an Amish theologian, so you miss something there, though he does detail the whys of what they do.

And you won't find much of anything on rumsprunga in this book. That's because it's an overpublicized media entertainment stunt that is far from portraying universal practice. There are many Amish groups that do not practice rumsprunga, and many more that have a moderate form of it, as in meeting up with the youth to sing hymns. The media's practice is like taking a run-down inner city school and portraying it like it represents all US schools.

Interesting, but somewhat general and some answers incomplete
I found this book to be a quite readable overview of the Amish and Mennonite, although out of necessity it has to be quite general in order to be such a slim volume.My only complaint it that some of the "questions" are not answered satisfactoraly, namely that about the problems that the Amish currently have to contend with.Also, some of the photos (all in the book are black and white) are fairly dark, something which could easily have been avoided. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by a woman who grew up in an Old Order Amish community and church, Amish Women: Lives and Stories offers a gentle, lyrical inside view of Amish womanhood.How are Amish women unique? How are they typical? How do they find expression in a place that values community togetherness above all else? This generous and heartwarming memoir explores these questions to discover what it means to be a woman and to be Amish.Meet Naomi whose favorite author is C.S. Lewis. Rebecca who is single and has a career. Susie who is an artist. And Esther who has lost two children and spends much of her time reaching out to other members of her community who have suffered loss.Louise Stoltzfus gathered her stories through a series of interviews and conversations with Amish women, many of whom she has known most of her life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

More about family character than Amish Life
The book is more about the Character of the women and not too much about Amish life.It was interesting enough, but I buy these books because I love the Amish.Their lifestyle, their devotion to God and family and their non conformity.I was a little disappointed.It's a good enough short read, but if you are looking for that book that's going to take you to the Amish world, this didn't do it for me.

Amish Women - Lives and Stories
This book was very inexpensive so I bought it.It is an excellent book if someone is interested in the Amish women.The book was received in excellent condition.It now sits on my coffee table as everyone that sees it wants to read it!

thinking womans book
This book is one of my favorites! It is written to allow the reader to carefully think about each passage. Hence the very short paragraphs. Louise shares wisdom in a powerful way. She questions why the different women do this or that. She allows the reader to ponder about life in a simple way - without using big words. Very simply written. It will make you rethink what is important in life. Definately a "thinking" womans book!

What a disappointment!
I was very disappointed with this book. It was thin, double spaced and was NOT what I considered stories at all. At best it was comments and they sure did not go into detail. I regret that I spent money on this misleading book!!!! If I could give it less than one star I would.

Unclear audience, but good read.
As I read Amish Women, I felt unsure about what audience Stoltzfus had in mind while writing.The back of the book describes the text in academic language, but the content of the book is not academic.Stoltzfus often writes in fragments, but this lends a story-telling quality to the text.I wonder if Stoltzfus intended this book to be read to children? Either way, this look at the Amish is, unlike many books about the Amish, written not to exploit or exoticize the culture but to honor it. ... Read more

Product Description
Choose from a weight loss smorgasbord of all natural, safe methods for losing pounds and keeping them off, simple and easy. Take a few minutes twice a year to complete the 2 most powerful things you can do for your overall health improvement. Do you have a colic baby? Try this little known remedy with a near 100% success rate. Does cancer concern you? No need for that! Cleansing the body is basic to eliminating every disease. Do one simple thing that takes only seconds and minimize the number of colds you catch. Obtain the most powerful antioxidant known to man today to help you prevent disease and maintain excellent health. Save thousands! The remedies in this book use everyday items that are easily attainable from the cupboard, the garden and the local general store. Best of all, they work!"If I would have had your book a few years ago and practiced just one home remedy with ingredients costing about $2.75, I could have saved $30,000 in hospital bills and much pain caused by kidney stones." -Augusta, OH ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Dangerous Remedies
Borax in an infant's mouth?Common sense dictates that we keep our cleaning products locked up for a reason.

Common sense also indicates that garlic can't cure everything.Garlic juice in the ear for earaches, garlic up the nose for nosebleeds, garlic worn in socks for fevers, sniff of garlic for drowsiness, even a clove of garlic up the rectum for hemorrhoids.If garlic were really such a cure-all, Italians would never have need for doctors in their lives!

The most dangerous notion of all is that garlic can cure cancer.According to [...], there is no conclusive evidence that garlic alone can cure cancer, and it could also cause adverse side-effects when consumed in large quantities."Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences."[...].

This book is good for one thing only: a good laugh as we thank our doctors and medical researchers for how far they've brought us out of the dark ages of science.

Wonderful Book!
This is a wonderful book filled with natural home remedies: from what to take for the common cold to weight loss the natural way, to what to do for a colicy baby. I would recommend it to anyone.Excellent resource for how to use natural herbs and foods to prevent using harsh and costly antibiotics. ... Read more

Product Description
Traditional and contemporary recipes adapted from the kitchens and pantries of Amish cooks are highlighted. The author has spent years researching the foods, and has interviewed Amish women and dipped into their and recipe boxes. Color plates. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

And I thought Grandma's cooking was traditional
Talk about OLD wow love the recipies and the stories this is another cookbook that I think will make a great basic book for any one that wants really homey food. Very traditional and it gives you a sense of background even if you are not Amish becuase at one time most cuacasins where using these recipies in america.step by step directions and yummy pics very well balenced selection and I got more then my moneys worth on this book.

About the book---
The Best of Amish Cooking: Traditional and Contemporary Recipes Adapted from the Kitchens and Pantries of Old Order Amish Cooks

ANNOTATION
Traditional and contemporary recipes adapted from the kitchens and pantries of Amish cooks are highlighted. The author has spent years researching the foods, and has interviewed Amish women and dipped into their and recipe boxes. Color plates.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
This beautiful book by a New York Times bestselling author who is also a leading expert on Amish cooking highlights traditional and contemporary recipes adapted from the kitchens and pantries of Amish cooks.

Phyllis Pellman Good has spent years researching these foods. She has interviewed Amish grandmothers and dipped into old books, diaries, and recipe boxes.

The dishes she selected are ones that were and continue to be popular in eastern Pennsylvania, usually in the Lancaster area. According to Good, they reflect the fruitfulness of Amish fields and gardens, as well as the group's emphasis on family and community.

Color photos set the mood. Wonderful descriptions and introductions prepare the setting. And delicious, savory recipes fill this book with some of the best food you'll find anywhere.

SYNOPSIS
From the Backcover

Main Selection--Better Homes and Gardens Cook Books Club

This beautiful book by a leading expert on Amish cooking highlights traditional and contemporary recipes adapted from the kitchens and pantries of Amish cooks.

Phyllis Pellman Good has spent years researching these foods. She has interviewed Amish grandmothers and dipped into old books, diaries, and recipe boxes.

The dishes she selected are ones that were and continue to be popular in eastern Pennsylvania, usually in the Lancaster area. According to Good, they reflect the fruitfulness of Amish fields and gardens, as well as the group's emphasis on family and community.

Color photos set the mood. Wonderful descriptions and introductions prepare the setting. And delicious, savory recipes fill this book with some of the best food you'll find anywhere.

"Nobody cooks quite like the Amish! Phyllis Pellman Good sets out to show how anyone can do it in The Best of Amish Cooking." --South Bend Tribune

"Author Phyllis Pellman Good spent years researching for this exceptional book, gathering recipes from Amish grandmothers, diaries, old books, and recipe collections in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area. Recipes are delicious, hearty, wholesome, and in tune with the seasons. Descriptions of the Amish lifestyle make for a good read." --The Cookbook Collector

"This beautiful book by a leading expert on Amish cooking highlights traditional and contemporary recipes adapted from the kitchens and pantries of Amish cooks." --Country Almanac

"Good explains how recipes, foods, and cooking styles figured into the Amish households. Directions are short and to the point, and the photos are charming." --Booklist

Today Phyllis spends much of her time as a book editor. She also edits Festival Quarterly, a magazine exploring the art, faith, and culture of Mennonite peoples. She is the author of the book, A Mennonite Woman's Life, co-editor of the book Perils of Professionalism, and co-author with her husband, Merle, of 20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites.

Together she and Merle are executive directors of The People's Place, The Old Country Store, and several galleries and related shops in Intercourse, Pennsylvania.

Phyllis received her B.A. and M.A. in English from New York University.

The Goods are parents of two daughters and members of the East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church.

The Best Cook Book in My Kitchen
I love this cook book!It's just full of recipes for that wonderful Amish food, and the thing I really love about it is that for the most part, the ingredients are items you probably already have in your kitchen, as opposedto some of the "coffee table" cookbooks you have to travel toFrance in order to get the ingredients they call for.I wouldn't bewithout this one, and I've just finished ordering it as a gift.Get thisone, you'll love it.

Wonderful accurate cook book with good stories
My neighbor has cooked with some of these recipes for years (she is 76). She was so happy to find these recipes written so that she can give them toher daughter, grand daughters and great grand daughters. The author is anexcellant authority on Amish cooking. ... Read more

Product Description
Holmespun takes the reader on a photographic journey through the largest Amish and Mennonite community in the world, Holmes County.Combining poignant interviews and candid photography, the book reveals an entirely unique society, from barn raisings to volleyball. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Holmespun
A beautiful collection of photos from Holmes County, Ohio along with interesting background information about the people and customs of this area.

AMAZING!
I have been to Holmes County before, and this book accuratly and beautifully shows the Amish of Ohio! I would (and have!) reccomend this book to anyone who loves beautiful photograhy, the Amish, and Holmes County! I couldn't put it down! I would LOVE to own this book!

V. Temple
A wonderfully done pictoral of Holmes County, Ohio.After visiting there, it's a lovely reminder of the people and places.The pictures and stories capture the beauty and simplicity of the Amish/Mennonite communities in Holmes County. This book brings back wonderful memories.

Filled with captivating color photographs
A 2003 Independent Publisher award finalist, and winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award of the Publishers Marketing Association, Holmespun: An Intimate Port-rait Of An Amish And Mennonite Community is a lavishly presented portrait of life in Amish and Mennonite communities. Photographers Amanda Lumry and Loren Wengerd effectively collaborate to produce a thoroughly fascinating and visually wonderful presentation filled with captivating color photographs which are complemented by an informed and absorbing text written by Laura Hurwitz and describing the events of daily life. Holmespun is a simply wonderful addition to personal photography book collections and recommended for community library collections seeking to include commendable materials for readers seeking information on Amish and Mennonite lifestyles and communities.

Holmespun
This book is truly amazing!In this day and age, you would never know that a community of that nature still existed.With the hustle and bustle of my daily routine (I consider my family an "Average American Family"), it really makes you want to live the life of the Amish and Mennonite families.I live in the suburbs of Sacramento and their lifestyle is completely foreign to me.After looking at all of the wonderful photographs, I immediately wanted to cook a home cooked meal and a pie from scratch.I would truly love to visit Holmes County one day and see these kind, hard-working people firsthand.I am going to give this book as a gift to my mother, both of my sisters and my close friends.I know they will enjoy it as much as I have. ... Read more

Product Description
What is it like to be an Amish child? With unforgettable photographs Jerry Irwin shows memnts within the Amish community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful 'Coffee Table' Book
The photos in this book are timeless!Having recently visited the Amish in Pennsylvania, my family are now interested in all aspects of Amish culture and life.The book is beautifully laid out and captures the exact emotions we experienced whilst there.Highly recommended for the Amish collector.

A wonderfully presented photo display
This wonderfully presented photo display of Amish children captures what it's like to live in an Amish world where English is a second language in America, where there are no modern technological devices, and where family ties are unusually strong. Beautiful color photos capture the Amish child's world.

COFFEE TABLE BOOK ON THE AMISH
It's ironic that readers are attracted to pictorial books on the Amish, considering that sect's well known aversion to being photographed.Amish children are a particularly attractive subject.This is a beautifully produced book, mostly depicting the Lancaster County Amish, photographed by a transplanted Lancaster resident who has earned the trust of the community. This book is recommended for all readers interested in the Amish - particularly for the many people who visit Lancaster County each year. ... Read more

Product Description

Celebrate Christmas with four Amish romances.

"A Choice to Forgive" by Beth Wiseman

After Daniel disappeared that long-ago Christmas Eve, Lydia built a life with his brother. But now she's a widow and Daniel has reappeared, asking for forgiveness. Can she go back to her normal life with her long-lost love as her neighbor?

"A Miracle for Miriam" by Kathleen Fuller

Seth is no longer the arrogant young man who shattered Miriam's confidence and broke her heart. Will he be able to show "plain" Miriam that she is truly beautiful to him?

"One Child" by Barbara Cameron

The birth of one child forever changed the world two thousand years ago. On a snowy Christmas night in Lancaster County, another child changes the world for two very different couples.  

Customer Reviews (1)

Ethnography
The book provides excellent insight into the life of Amish children. Although I do not think I could adopt their ways of behavior, there is much to admire about the dedication of the Amish to protecting their culture. Unfortunately, that same dedication to preserving their way of life makes education a sticky and difficult issue to negotiate. ... Read more

Product Description
This reliable favorite is newly revised for greater usefulness! With 100,000 copies already in print, this new edition offers increased clarity of 30 popular and often-requested patterns.Here are the full-sized patterns themselves, as well as step-by-step instructions, color suggestions, and exact yardage measurements for creating the traditional charm of the Amish masterpieces.This manual also offers a selection of quilting templates in the actual sizes needed to make a full-size quilt. Detailed drawings and diagrams throughout the book lend accuracy to the whole satisfying process. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Somewhat disappointed.
I bought this book because the patterns looked amazing.While they are very good, and can be used at all skill levels, I'm not pleased with the pattern measurements.

I've now made several quilts from the patterns, following each exactly.My latest turned out to be well over 20 inches wider than it should have.Some of the math appears to be incorrect.

That being said, the patterns ARE useful, and the color suggestions are great - just be prepared to modify your quilt while you're working on the top if you have strict measurements in mind.

Amish Quilt Patterns
Arrived fast, perfect condition.Excellent people to do business with, would definitely deal with them again.

A classic, One of the best resources I have in my library!!
Rachel Pellman excells in being plain, simple and concise.This book includes not only the patterns for making the blocks but quilting designs as well for the complete Amish look.The patterns are in black and white allowing them to be easily photocopied and colored by the experimenting quilter.The assembly instructions are precise and are shown as diagrams making it easy to see and copy each desired block.I find it an invaluable tool and resource for my library.In fact this book is the most used of all my quilting books.While this book is a rare find it is well worth the time to find and use.I highly recommend it particularly for the beginning quilter although the more experience quiltmaker will find much of value here too.Patterns range from the simple Bars and Center Diamond to the complex Star, Rolling Rock,and Jacob's Ladder.This book contains enough patterns to keep quilters busy for years ... Read more

Product Description
Strong, lyrical photographs and sensitive text detail the life of the Amish, showing their homes, traditions, and handiworks, all of which display the strength and practical optimism by which they live. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great photographs of an Amish household!
This is a terrific book for kids.. (and adults, I loved it)
Children will get introduced to a very different culture through vivid photographs. The differences in the amish home and ours may start a wonderful conversation ,possibly teaching young children that life can be lived without constant TV, and computer games!?
I would love to see this book in all elementary school libraries.

Amish Home
This is a beautifully presented book with superb photographs and sensitive text.Itgives an insight into Amish homes and a glimpse into their way of life.Raymond Bial has answered some of the questions about these people and their lives while always respecting their privacy and beliefs which is as it should be. Highly recommended.

A very good book to begin the understanding of the life.
THIS BOOK IS A VERY GOOD PRICED BOOK, OF THE BEGINNINGS OF A VERY DIFFERENT AND OLD WAY OF THE LIFE, THE AUTHOR IS VERY EXPANITORY IN HIS WRITINGS, I RECAMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO ENJOYS READING OF THESE UNIQUEPEOPLE. THIS BOOK IS NOT VERY LONG, BUT, GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL. ... Read more