A History Of The Amish (Paperback)

by Steven M. Nolt (Author) "For many Americans the dawning of the twentieth century offered optimism and opportunity..." (more)
Key Phrases: strict shunning, social shunning, church districts, Amish Mennonite, North America, Lancaster County (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The author, currently a historical interpreter (i.e., a historian and a kind of tour guide) in the Amish country of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, successfully presents the entire history of the Amish since 1525 while avoiding both the overly sentimental approach of much popular writing and the anti-Amish bias of the rest. Nolt's emphasis on the role of "shunning" may strike some scholars as overly strong, but he is otherwise quite convincing. John Hostetler's Amish Roots ( LJ 11/1/89) provides a good selection of primary sources; Nolt puts these views in context, while including enough primary material to depict vividly the Amish way of life and beliefs. There are other more detailed and scholarly works about various aspects of the subject, but this is the only recent general history. It is marred, however, by a somewhat confusing organization and bland style. Nevertheless, in view of the general public's appalling lack of knowledge on the subject, this is an essential purchase.
- James H. Sweetland, SLIS, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Presents the deep and rich hertiage of the Amish people.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Good Books; Rev Upd edition (December 31, 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561483931
• ISBN-13: 978-1561483938
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,375 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a reliable guide, June 4, 2003

By	Sagan Lazar "Sagan Lazar" (Mango Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History Of The Amish (Paperback)

to a topic that would not be considered terribly exciting by most people. Here in plain English, with no bias whatsoever, is the history of one of the most unfamiliar peoples residing in the United States. You have here a detailed but fast-paced account not only of the Amish's origin in Switzerland, Saxony, and the Netherlands in the 16th century, but also of their trials and tribulations in their eventual settling in the New World. Of particular interest to me personally was the historical origins of, and divergence between the Amish and the Mennonites with regard to the question of technology. This book has clarified for me the historical and religious reasons why the Amish have come to choose the way of life they have. I came away from reading this book not only with a deeper understanding of how and why of the Amish (and the Mennonites), but also with a much deeper respect for the genuine humility and modesty the Amish practice in their everyday lives through their work, emphasis on community, and manner of dwelling in harmony with nature. Having lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio for many years, I always believed the Amish to be the only realistic model of a non-monastic community that could convincingly claim to strictly follow the Christian ethos of non-violence and neighborly love. Happily, this book has done much to substantiate much of my own observations about the Amish. But this book is not just about the Amish's past-- in allowing us to to know more about the way the Amish live, and their reasons for it, this short history may give us pause and allow us to re-examine the empty rhetoric of "community" and "empowerment" that fills the double-speak of modern politics and many a special-interest group's battle cries. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in a highly successful form of communal living -- one that is not based on a childish rebellion against the modern world, but one based on a childlike acceptance of man's fundamentally naked condition regardless of his technological progress.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intelligent Overview, July 5, 2005

By	Dr Alexander Elder (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

I read this book prior to a long weekend trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country. The book is very clearly written (I almost finished it on a flight from Amsterdam to New York) but it presents all the key facts and concepts - in a sympathetic but unbiased way. Having read this book prior to my visit, I could have conversations with locals and feel closer to them thanks to the information and concepts picked up from this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who plans to visit the Amish part of the country and look a little deeper than horse-driven carts and beards without moustaches.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insite to the Amish, April 5, 2008

By	T. Baker (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From their beginnings in Europe to the Modern day this book gives a great overall history into what and who of the Amish people. Good read for the curious, history minded or those planning a visit to Amish country.