The Amish

Today in history - September 20th, 2012 - 16 members of a dissident Amish group in Ohio are convicted of hate crimes and conspiracy for the cutting of beards and hair of other Amish people with differing religious viewpoints.  Want to learn more about the Amish?  Here are ten nonfiction picks on this group known for their plain style of dress, pacifism, and refusal of modern technology.

Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World by Suzanne Woods Fisher - Of all the gifts that Jesus left us, his peace is most elusive. We long for it in our homes, in our relationships, in our life situations. One place we can look and see "living peace" is in the lives of the Amish. But you don't have to become Amish to bring these simple, practical ways of living into your own life--and make personal peace a reality. Organized around five central themes in Amish life, each section will include real-life stories, callouts of Amish proverbs, and interesting facts about Amish communities. Each section will also contain questions for reflection and action--things you can do in your own life that "make for peace."

Amish Prayers: Heartfelt Expressions of Humility, Gratitude, and Devotion compiled by Beverly Lewis - The Amish as well as other Anabaptist groups have used the same book of prayers for centuries. Now for the first time a selection of these prayers is readily available in English. This exclusive authentic translation from the original German--with an introduction by Beverly Lewis--will give readers insights into the spiritual foundations of the Plain people. Each prayer is paired with a Scripture passage to draw readers closer to God. This hardcover illustrated gift book is perfect for old and new fans of Amish fiction alike.

The Amish: A Concise Introduction by Steven M. Nolt - There seems to be no end to our fascination with the Amish, a religious minority that has both placed itself outside the mainstream of American culture and flourished within it. Yet most people know very little about the nuanced relationship the Amish have with society or their own communities.
Drawing on more than twenty years of fieldwork and collaborative research, Steven M. Nolt's The Amish: A Concise Introduction is a compact but richly detailed portrait of Amish life. In fewer than 150 pages, readers will come away with a clear understanding of the complexities of these simple people. Writing in engaging and accessible language, Nolt explains how the Amish at once operate within modern America and stand very much apart from the world. Arguing that Amish life is shaped equally by internal and external social, political, and economic contexts, Nolt explores Amish identity as emerging from a complex cultural negotiation with modernity. He takes on much-hyped topics such as Rumspringa and reveals the distinctive Amish approach to technology. He also explains how Amish principles stand in contrast to contemporary American values, including rational efficiency, large-scale organization, and Western notions of individuality.
Authoritative, informative, and illustrated, this guide provides a vivid introduction to a way of life many find fascinating but few truly understand.

Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman's Ties to Two Worlds by Saloma Miller Furlong with David Furlong - At age twenty, Salmoa Miller left behind her Amish community in Burton, Ohio, and boarded a night train for Vermont, where she knew no one. Soon, however, a vanload of people from her community, including the Amish bishop, arrived to take her back into the fold. Saloma's freedom came to an abrupt end when she went back home to Ohio with them. Thus began a years-long struggle of feeling torn between two worlds: would she remain Amish and embrace the sense of belonging and community her Amish life offered, or would she return to the newfound freedom she tasted in Vermont? Bonnet Strings offers a universal story of overcoming adversity and a rare look inside an Amish community. Readers will find in it a true story: of woundedness and healing, of doubt and faith, and of the often competing desires for freedom and belonging.

The Essential Amish Cookbook: Everyday Recipes From Farm & Pantry by Lovina Eicher - Taste the goodness of Amish life. Bestselling cookbook author and food columnist Lovina Eicher brings together the best of Amish cooking as she shares traditional Amish recipes along with her own kitchen tips and secrets. The easy-to-follow, authentic recipes are prepared every day in countless homes in Old Order Amish communities. In this richly illustrated with step-by-step photographs, learn Amish cooking just as if you were in Lovina's kitchen. Make the hearty, simple dishes that the Amish cook together and serve at home, church services, and weddings.

Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother's Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts with Jeanette Windle - Who would have believed all the beauty God would create over the nine years since that awful day. On October 2, 2006, a gunman entered an Amish one-room schoolhouse, shooting ten girls, killing five, then finally taking his own life. This is his mother's story. Not only did she lose her precious son through suicide, but she also lost her understanding of him as an honorable man. Her community and the world experienced trauma that no family or community should ever have to face. But this is, surprisingly, a story of hope and joy--of God revealing his grace in unexpected places. Today Terri lives in harmony with the Amish and has built lasting relationships that go beyond what anyone could have thought possible. From the grace that the Amish showed Terri's family from day one, to the visits and ongoing care Terri has given to the victims and their families, no one could have foreseen the love and community that have been forged from the fires of tragedy. Let Terri's story inspire and encourage you as you discover the wonder of forgiveness
and the power of God to bring beauty from ashes.

Homespun: Amish and Mennonite Women in Their Own Words edited by Lorilee Craker - Ever wish you could visit with a group of Amish or Mennonite women over a cup of coffee? In the pages of Homespun, Amish and Plain Mennonite women swap stories and spin yarns while we listen in. Lorilee Craker, bestselling author of Money Secrets of the Amish, collects these personal writings about hospitality, home, grief, joy, and walks with God. Hear from one woman who struggles with feeling inferior to her sister, from another about her longing for a baby, and from a third who accidentally bought stretchy material to sew her husband's pants. Each woman's story is a testament to the grace of God and the blessings of community.

More Than Happy: The Wisdom of Amish Parenting by Serena Miller with Paul Stutzman - In the tradition of Bringing Up Bebe and Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, an in-depth look at the practices and principles of Amish parents and how they raise children who are self-sufficient, hard-working, and remarkably happy. In More Than Happy, Serena Miller uncovers many surprising insights, including the significance of real responsibilities, the wisdom of unplugging from technology, the value of unstructured time to play, the importance of firm rules, and the importance of each teenager's freedom to decide what is best for their future.

Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women by Cindy Woodsmall & Miriam Flaud - Best-selling novelist Cindy Woodsmall might seem to have little in common with Miriam Flaud, a woman immersed in the culture of Old Order Amish. But with nine children and almost 60 years of marriage between them, Cindy and Miriam both have found the secrets to facing life with strength and grace. Whether enduring financial setbacks, celebrating new babies and times of prosperity, grieving the crushing losses in the deaths of family and friends, or facing disappointments with their respective communities--through it all they find guidance for each day by looking to God.
 With poignant recollections, unexpected insights, and humorous tales, the two women welcome you into their unique friendship. You'll also gain a rare glimpse into the traditions and ways of the Amish as Miriam recalls special occasions and shares family recipes throughout the book.
 Plain Wisdom is a heartwarming celebration of God, womanhood, and the search for beauty that unites us all. So grab your cup and your quilt and settle in for a soul-comforting read with Plain Wisdom.

Renegade Amish: Beard Cutting, Hate Crimes, and the Trial of the Bergholz Barbers by Donald B. Kraybill - On the night of September 6, 2011, terror called at the Amish home of the Millers. Answering a late-night knock from what appeared to be an Amish neighbor, Mrs. Miller opened the door to her five estranged adult sons, a daughter, and their spouses. It wasn't́ a friendly visit. Within moments, the men, wearing headlamps, had pulled their frightened father out of bed, pinned him into a chair, and -- ignoring his tearful protests -- sheared his hair and beard, leaving him razor-burned and dripping with blood. The women then turned on Mrs. Miller, yanking her prayer cap from her head and shredding it before cutting off her waist-long hair. About twenty minutes later, the attackers fled into the darkness, taking their parents' hair as a trophy for their community. Four similar beard-cutting attacks followed, disfiguring nine victims and generating a tsunami of media coverage. While pundits and late-night talk shows made light of the attacks and poked fun at the Amish way of life, FBI investigators gathered evidence about troubling activities in a maverick Amish community near Bergholz, Ohio, and the volatile behavior of its leader, Bishop Samuel Mullet.