The Puzzles of Amish Life (People's Place Book No. 10) [Paperback]

Donald Kraybill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1998

While the details of Amish puzzles vary from settlement to settlement, the cultural vlaues undergirding the puzzles in this book sustain the life of many other Amish communities as well.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kraybill answers them with his full authority but always personably, straightforwardly, and at sufficient length to be richly informative. As in his longer text, he shows that the Amish are not as rigid as is often thought and that the durability of their way of life constitutes a critique of and a challenge to the greater American society within which, 'despite their shortcomings, they have created a social order in which human contentment flourishes.'" - Booklist "A stream of good books flows from Good Books in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. This simple explanation of Amish practices comes from a leading academic Amish-watcher who knows how to write for a broad public." - The Christian Century "Highly recommended for a wide audience, from teens to adults who have questions about and a special interest in the Amish." - The Midwest Book Review "This amply illustrated little book is an excellent interpretive introduction to the Amish. For people desiring more information, one can recommend Kraybill's more scholarly companion volume, The Riddle of Amish Culture." - Mennonite Life "To many outsiders, the Amish way of life seems to be a morass of contradictions that can't be seen as upholding any religious principles. Telephones are not allowed in houses but appear at the end of farm lanes; Amish can't own cars but often hire cars and drivers; some uses of electricity are acceptable but others are not, and so on. "Basically, Kraybill says that one reason the Amish survive is their ability to compromise with modern life. '. . . the bargains strike a delicate balance between the forces of tradition and the sway of progress. The Amish are willing to change, but not at the expense of communal values and ethnic identity. They are willing to use modern technology, but not when it disrupts family and community stability. The cultural compromises, rather than foolish contradictions, are negotiated deals that preserve key Amish values and, at the same time, permit selective modernization.'" - Pennsylvania "In The Puzzles of Amish Life, Donald B. Kraybill explains the more perplexing aspects of Amish life." - St. Anthony Messenger "If you are the least bit interested in these people who seem to be left over from another, more peaceful time, this book is a must. "Be warned though: A lot of your romantic ideas about these folks will be shattered-clothing styled in traditional patterns but made from synthetic materials, vinyl flooring, formica counters, and colorful gas stoves and ranges really upset any image!" - New York-Pennsylvania Collector

From the Back Cover

How do the Amish thrive in the midst of modern life? Why do the Amish separate themselves from the modern world? Why do a religious people spurn religious symbols and church buildings? Why is humility a cherished value? Why do a gentle people shun disobedient members? How do the Amish regulate social change? Why is ownership of cars objectionable, but not their use? Why are some modes of transportation acceptable and other forbidden? Why are tractors permitted around barns but not in fields? Why are horses used to pull modern farm machinery? Why are telephones banned from Amish homes? Why are some forms of electricity acceptable while others are rejected? How is modern machinery operated without electricity? Why are some occupations acceptable and others taboo? Why do the Amish use the services of professionals-lawyers, doctors, and dentists-but oppose higher education? Why do Amish youth rebel in their teenage years? Are the Amish freeloading on American life? Are the Amish behind or ahead of the modern world?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Good Books; Revised edition (December 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561480010
• ISBN-13: 978-1561480012
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism > Mennonite
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Ethnic Studies
  • #7 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Mennonite

More About the Author

Donald B. Kraybill, Ph.D., is senior fellow at the Young Center of Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pa. Among his many publications, he has authored, coauthored, or edited eight books on Amish society. The Riddle of Amish Culture (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001)is his flagship book that explains why the Amish are thriving. Amish Grace and The Amish Way (both by Jossey-Bass) explore Amish forgiveness and spirituality. His Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites and Mennonites is the only book that provides an overview of some 200 Anabaptist groups in North America. Kraybill's The Upside-Down Kingdom, which won the Religious Book of the Year Award, in print for more that thirty years, it is still widely read. His books have been translated into more than half a dozen languages. The Young Center, where he is based, is the premiere national institute for Amish studies. Kraybill's commentary on Amish life has been featured in dozens of broadcast and print media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian (London), The Australian, Newsweek, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, NPR, and BBC Radio to name a few.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and intelligent, July 7, 2005

By 

Dr (Jackson Heights, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Puzzles of Amish Life (People's Place Book No. 10) (Paperback)

Our private guide n the Amish country recommended this book - and I read it after returning home to New York. Prof. Kraybill really tied all the threads for me - how the Amish choose to live the way they do, what are the pleasures and limitations of their society, how it maintains and governs itself. A short book written in an sophisticated but absolutely lucid, clear, and interesting language. Thank you!

5.0 out of 5 stars Why the Amish live the way they do, September 10, 2008

By 

E. A. Lovitt "starmoth" (Gladwin, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Puzzles of Amish Life (People's Place Book No. 10) (Paperback)

Sociologist, Donald B. Kraybill is recognized as one of the foremost living experts on the Old Order Amish and has written many books about them, most notably "The Riddle of Amish Culture" and "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" (with Steven M. Nolt and David L. Weaver-Zercher - 2007). "The Puzzles of Amish Life" is the tenth book in the "People's Place" series and is quite well-written and interesting, especially if you have Amish neighbors and are curious about their way of life.

Here is the list of questions that Professor Kraybill answers in this 112-page book:
* How do the Amish thrive in the midst of modern life?
* Why do the Amish separate themselves from the modern world?
* Why do a religious people spurn religious symbols and church buildings?
* Why is humility a cherished value?
* Why do a gentle people shun disobedient members?
* How do the Amish regulate social change?
* Why is ownership of cars objectionable, but not their use?
* Why are some modes of transportation acceptable and others forbidden?
* Why are tractors permitted around barns but not in fields?
* Why are horses used to pull modern farm machinery?
* Why are telephones banned from Amish homes?
* Why are some forms of electricity acceptable while others are rejected?
* How is modern machinery operated without electricity?
* Why are some occupations acceptable and others taboo?
* Why do the Amish use the services of professionals--lawyers, doctors and dentists--but oppose higher education?
* Why do Amish youth rebel in their teenage years?
* Are the Amish freeloading on American life?
* Are the Amish behind or ahead of the modern world?

If you only have time to read one book on the Amish, I highly recommend "The Puzzles of Amish Life" or Professor Kraybill's "The Riddle of Amish Culture (Center Books in Anabaptist Studies)."

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Source for Traditional Amish, September 13, 2007

By 

Joseph Adams "brother" (Superior, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Puzzles of Amish Life (People's Place Book No. 10) (Paperback)

This is the best non fiction book ever written. This describes the practice of traditional Amish- no school, no cars, no computers, no blowdryers, no electricity no TVs. It was founded in the 1800s by Jacob Amman. The use of narcotics is pretty much encouraged. It says that when you want something you want it right here right now. College is taboo and they quit school after 8th grade, seldom attending public school. They are on social security, don't join the military and have no technology.