Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World [Paperback]

Suzanne Woods Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2009

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."

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Capture the simple peace of the Amish in your own life

You don't have to become Amish to make personal peace a reality. Organized around five central themes in Amish life, Amish Peace shows you how you can cultivate a simple life of love, gratitude, and faith in the midst of a very complicated world. It includes real-life stories and examples of Plain People, Amish proverbs, and fascinating facts about Amish communities. Each section also contains questions for reflection and action, outlining things you can do in your own life that "make for peace."


"Fisher plants the reader inside Amish living rooms, barns, kitchens, and schoolhouses while distilling the best of what Plain life has to offer."--Erik Wesner, author, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive and the Amish America blog

"You will not only learn about this unique subculture, but you will also be inspired to live a life of peace."--Joel Kime, pastor, Faith Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

"Suzanne offers us a glimpse into a world of peace, serenity, and total commitment to family and God. This book just might change the way you live your life."--Glenda Lehman Ervin, vice president, marketing, Lehman's


Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist culture can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne has contributed to several nonfiction books, is the author of three novels, and lives in California.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher's interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Benedict left the colony, amicably, and eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne's work has appeared in many magazines, including Today's Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, Christian Parenting Today, Marriage Partnership, and many others. She has contributed to several nonfiction books and is the author of two novels. Fisher lives in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Trade Paperback Edition edition (September 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080073338X
• ISBN-13: 978-0800733384
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, host of Amish Wisdom (a weekly radio show), raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook...the latter two with sporadic results.

Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her family moved to Hong Kong for four years, just as the internet was developing, and she continued to write articles in a 44-story high-rise apartment, sending manuscripts 7,000 miles away with a click of a key.

After returning from Hong Kong, Suzanne decided to give her first novel a try. For four and a half months, she worked on an antediluvian computer in a cramped laundry room. She didn't even tell her husband what she was up to. When the novel was completed, she told her family at dinner one night that she had written a book. "That's why there's no food in this house!" said her slightly insensitive sons.

Undaunted...Suzanne found a small royalty publisher for that book and wrote three more (all earned multiple). With help from an agent, she has five books currently under contract with Revell. On September 1st, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, will be released by Revell. The Choice, a novel about the Amish, will follow on January 1st.

Writing, for Suzanne, is a way to express a love of God and His word. With every book or article, she hopes readers get a sense of what faith really looks like in the daily grind. She hopes they realize that life can be hard, but God is good, and never to confuse the two.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Joy to Read October 1, 2009

By David

Format:Paperback

Suzanne's book caught my eye. Her statement "You don't have to become Amish to make personal peace a reality", really got my attention. Amish Peace is a must read on several different levels. First, if you are curious about the Amish lifestyle, as I am, then this book is for you. As you read this book you feel like you are being transported to a typical Amish community. You feel like you are there as the story unfolds. This book is very easy to read. I find a good time to read is after a busy day, because I feel so relaxed as I am reading it.

Another reason I find the book so enjoyable is because Suzanne takes these principles and relates them to the reader. For example, at the end of every section she writes an area of reflection based on the topic she just wrote about. These are thought provoking statements and questions for the reader to ponder based on your own life. These have really inspired me to look at areas of improvement in my walk with God, as well as my family life.

You will want to read this book over and over. Living in such crazy times, this book gives sound biblical references and is an excellent tool to keep around. I have been referring to it as part of my daily devotions. I hope everyone will purchase this book. It will be a real asset in your Christian walk.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging and Uplifting August 29, 2009

By Happy Reader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's not often I want to thank an author for writing a book, but I thank Ms. Fisher for writing Amish Peace.
Really. I've only begun reading the book, starting with the Epilogue, and was so blessed - it absolutely ministered to me as I am learning to take my "sticky fingers" off the things only God can do, and turn away from "my kingdom" so His Kingdom can come.
Then I read the chapter on special children and know that one of the women I bought a copy of the book for, who struggles with having a severely handicapped child, will be touched and blessed and helped when she reads it. It's hard to wait until Christmas to give it to her.
I love the font...the pictures on the covers...mostly I enjoy hearing the authors "voice". Reading the book is like sitting down and having a good chat with her...it's encouraging and uplifting
I highly recommend this book. I find myself wanting to savor it and make it last. The Amish Proverbs that begin each chapter are finding themselves sprinkled throughout my thoughts and words each day, and it's a refreshing perspective.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, enjoyable, educational October 4, 2009

By Erik Wesner

Format:Paperback

As someone who has visited thousands of Amish homes in communities from Pennsylvania to Iowa, I can say that Suzanne has done a top-notch job of recreating Amish life on the page. Her vignettes are moving, thought-provoking, and easy-to-digest. A great read.

Erik Wesner, author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive and the Amish America blog ([...])