3-book giveaway and Q-and-A with authors of The Amish
Donald Kraybill, Karen Johnson-Weiner and Steven Nolt have written a new comprehensive book on the Amish, simply entitled The Amish. You probably recognize the authors’ names from numerous books including The Riddle of Amish Culture, New York Amish, A History of the Amish, and many more.
Over 500 pages in length, this new collaboration covers the Amish from just about every angle, from history and religious practices to gender, health, diversity, media, education and much more.
I had a chance to read The Amish some time ago when it was in manuscript form and learned a lot from it. What I really liked was the span of information covering Amish from across different areas of North America. Writing about “the Amish” can be a challenge especially considering how wide-ranging the Amish can be in their practice and custom. The authors handle this adeptly, including ample examples from numerous states and communities to flesh out points made in the book.
Given its wide scope and up-to-date information there really isn’t a book like this on the Amish today. I would place it among a handful of Amish must-reads.
One highlight I’ll mention here is a chapter on Amish diversity which compiles a listing of the many Amish affiliations across North America, and which I don’t think has ever been done before. For me this is worth the price of admission alone.
Q-and-A and 3-book giveaway
Below you’ll find the first part of a Q-and-A with the authors. Some of these are general questions on Amish life, and some are specific to the authors’ experience with the Amish and writing the book.
The second part, which we’ll post in a week, will focus more on general questions on Amish life and culture.
Johns Hopkins is also providing three books for a giveaway of The Amish. There are 2 ways to enter this contest:
1) Leave a comment on this post for one entry.
2) Share this contest via your social channels (Facebook, Twitter,etc) or website. Let me know you did by emailing amishamerica@gmail.com. That will get you a bonus entry.
We’ll draw and post the winners in one week, on Thursday May 30th, along with the second part of the Q-and-A.
Donald Kraybill, Karen Johnson-Weiner, and Steven Nolt on The Amish
Why did you write this book?
Donald Kraybill, Karen Johnson-Weiner, Steven Nolt: Mainstream Americans are fascinated by the Amish—and so are we. But despite the rise of Amish-themed tourism, television shows, and romance novels, there is surprisingly little authoritative information available about them. Although there are books about the Amish in specific locations or particular practices, there was no book that provided a comprehensive picture of the enormous diversity of Amish life. There are more than forty types of Amish in 460 communities across North America. We’ve spent more than a quarter century getting to know these people, and wanted to share the remarkable diversity and resilience we’ve found.
What do you think would most surprise the average American about Amish life/culture?
Their friendliness and humor when you learn to know them. How satisfied they are even without the latest household conveniences and online technology. Also, people would be surprised by their creativity and inventiveness when it comes to technology. They’re not dour folks left over from the 19th century.
What are three things you learned about the Amish researching and writing this book that you didn’t know beforehand?
Well, first of all, the astonishing diversity of Amish life across North America is amazing. We knew it was diverse but as we gathered information from many sources we discovered forty different distinctive groups and many of them have a variety of subgroups. Church regulations are determined by local congregations and with over 2000 of them in the US it really means they’re more than 2000 different ways of being Amish.
Second, we were surprised by the number of Amish publications. Over the last twenty years Amish writing and publishing has flourished. There are some fifty different Amish-produced-for-Amish related magazines, newsletters, correspondence papers such as The Budget, not to mention all the books, family histories and directories that are produced by Amish people.
Third, we often say that Amish people are grounded in stable local communities, and for the most part they are, however the amount of migration and mobility which we were able to track with historical records since the mid-1960s tell a story of a lot of movement within states as well as between states.
What does the Amish population look like today?
The Amish are growing rapidly. Their population doubles about every 20 years, and today they number more than 275,000. So they are thriving even in the midst of a hypermodern, high-tech society.
Most of their growth comes from their own children. On average 85-95% of their children join the church as young adults. Outsiders who have no family connections to the group are able to join if they accept Amish beliefs and agree to live within the bounds of the Amish lifestyle. Although several dozen outsiders are currently members, it is rare for outsiders to join.
Why do you think the Amish have become the darlings of reality TV?
For starters, the Amish are interesting because they appear so different from the rest of us. Outsiders have trouble imagining that anyone would be satisfied living without a car, a smart phone, or a high school education. So Amish-themed reality TV sets up lives that are radically different and “Amish” characters who then rebel against Amish ways of life, smashing our stereotypes of quiet, reclusive, rural pacifists.
How do three people write one book on such a broad subject?
The good news here is that the three of us are still friends! It is indeed a challenge for three people to write a twenty-two chapter book with a consistent voice and tone throughout. We like to think we’ve accomplished that but of course readers will have the final verdict.
One of us would draft a chapter on a topic in which we had special interest or expertise, but then the draft was revised, revised, and revised by all of us. Most of, if not all of the chapters went through at least ten revisions. In addition we had a developmental editor, and an in-house editor offering suggestions and raising questions which really helped to improve the clarity and style of the text.
One of the more interesting “discussions” at the page proof stage focused on the use of commas. With three authors and three editors (two copy editors and a managing editor) we had six different views on the appropriate use of commas!
Having three authors with different areas of expertise certainly produced a much more accurate and comprehensive book than any one of us could have written alone. Trust and mutual respect was key. We had worked together in various projects prior to the book and so we knew each other, trusted and respected each other, and that was really critical to an effective writing partnership. We could argue and debate without losing respect and confidence in each other.
What do you hope readers will take away from reading The Amish?
The fact that Amish society has enormous diversity and complexity and is not simple or simplistic. The Amish are a robust and ingenious American group that has creatively developed ways to negotiate with the outside world to both maintain their traditions and tap many benefits of modern life.
Read and Donate
As a Red Cross Blood Services recruiter and advocate of the Amish, I visit different settlements on a daily basis. I look forward to reading the book and hearing about it at the upcoming Elizabethtown Amish Conference. If I win a copy, I will donate it to the Central PA Amish Library.
I love to learn about the Amish and this sounds so good!
Excited
This book looks great! I love the previous works of these authors.
would love to enter to win a book. question- if an outsider joins and is still called an outsider are they not equal members? in every way.
book give away
I love reading and learning about the Amish, please enter me in the give away thanks
jcisforme2aol.com
I would give my arm and leg to win this book. I love reading Amish and Amish authors. They all have something to offer in their writings.
This book is one I definitely want to add to my collection. It sounds extensively well-researched and comprehensive, as well as being far more factual than much of what is written about the Amish. I always appreciate more scholarly works, that discuss what the reality of being Amish is rather than all the fanciful stuff that’s spread about (especially on TV, but also in books)! I’d love to own a copy, and many thanks to the authors for their interview!
Miss Giveaway
I love Amish books and Amish authors. They are all rated high in my estimation.
Sounds like a very interesting title. I remember trips to Lancaster, PA as a boy and the different world the Amish seemed to live in.
Im looking forward to reading this book… however I attain it. 🙂
I really love the authors Q&A. Thanks so much!
comment on 3-book giveaway and Q-andA with the authors of the Amish
I am going to Ohio this year and will be having a day in Berlin, Ohio. I can’t wait. We have a small community of Amish close by where I live and I love going to their stores and purchasing homemade items. I been reading Amish books for over 8 years now and truly love each and everyone. I am enthralled with the Amish and love reading about their everyday way of life.
This book will definitely go on my “to buy” list!
I love the Amish books, we have a small community of Amish close by and I go and visit the stores that they sell their homemade items. I love reading about the Amish and their way of life.
Want to win because.....
I would like to learn more about our Amish friends.
It would be wonderful to be so lucky and happy to win the book!
Thanks for offering a chance to win.
Kind regards,
Jeanneke, Dokkum – Friesland, The Netherlands.
WIN A BOOK
Sounds like an absolute “must read”!
I love learning about the Amish and have been fortunate to begin meeting some great Amish folks. My parents have a home in rural southwest Ohio and many Amish, as well as Mennonites, have begun to migrate to that area. One Amish woman told me they left their home in Kentucky because as the English moved closer to their homes, they felt their own children were being influenced by technology in the wrong ways. She said it is important that they follow God and the church, their family and hard work, in that order.
What I find amazing is that because of this, they (as well as extended family), packed up everything, moved away and started over, just to protect their children. Imagine if we, the English, would do something like this to protect our own children?
Sounds like excellent reading! Please enter me in the contest.
Thank you!
Amish
We have a large population of Amish in our area. They run discount grocery stores, general merchandise, lumberyards, and greenhouses. They are great neighbors to have!
I’m familiar with the authors’ previous work and would be honored to win this book. I’ll suggest we buy one for our library, too.
As usual, thank you for this opportunity!
Alice Mary
I might drive to Young Center and buy mine now
A stellar and audacious cast of experts to take on such a daunting challenge. We know we’ll not be disappointed. Congratulations! When did you first conceive the idea for such a comprehensive project and when did you actually begin working on it? Rich S
The Amish
I am fascinated with Amish culture and read everything I can get my hands on – both fiction and non-fiction. I have read books by these authors – e.g., Amish Grace, The Amish Way – and found them interesting and informative, as well as very readable. This new addition sounds terrific and I look forward to reading it.
Lee Ann
This book sounds so interesting. I love learning about Amish and their lifestyle.
3-bbok giveaway
Sounds like a very interesting and informative book. Would love to own a copy. Enjoyed the author Q & A. Thank you.
I love reading anything and everything about the Amish. I really, really would love to win and read this book. I live in eastern NY and never knew NY state had Amish until I read Karen Johnson-Weiner’s book “New York Amish”. Now I don’t have to travel to Pennsylvania or Ohio when I can just take a day ride an hour away to see the Amish. I used to travel to Pennsylavania to visit an Aunt and Uncle who lived in Lancaster county and would see the Amish from their home. Sadly, my Aunt and Uncle are no longer with us and I haven’t been back to Pennsylvania for years. Thank you for this giveaway.
I would like to enter the book giveaway to donate the book to the library here. There have been Amish here from way back when they lived like most people around here used to but the Amish community is growing and their ways don’t comply with modern laws so there are more and more conflicts.
The Amish
Please enter me in your 3-book giveaway and Q and A with authors of THE AMISH. Thank you
This is surely one book that I would love to read. I am really in to Amish books and recipes and their way. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Also shared on FB so my friends can see and enter too
I would LOVE to win these books! I have an ever growing Amish book collection that I love to read and go into in their amazing world!
I love reading about the Amish, I have read lot of Amish books. Would like to win this book to put with my Amish collection.
I love reading about the Amish, I have read lot of Amish books. Would like to win this book to put with my Amish collection. I also share this on my Facebook page.
Love the Amish Authors
I would love to win some more Amish books. These authors are great.
I enjoy reading books about the Amish. I am an avid reader of Inspirational Fiction novels, by various authors.
Can’t wait to read this book!
Sounds like this book would have some authentic information, compared to the novels and TV shows. Sign me on for a chance to win one.
Thank you for compiling and writing such an all inclusive look at the Amish for us! I look forward to reading through it.
3book give away
This has a lot of good info. I’d love to know more.
I know of quite a few people who assume all Amish people must surely be very serious, judgmental, and never laugh. I’m glad I know better. Just as Englisch people run a wide range from serious to …not serious ( lol can’t think of a word ), it makes sense Amish people would do the same!
BOOKGIVEAWAY
I prefer books that I know are written by people who are learned and considered experts. I have several books by Steven Nolt and Donald Kraybill and surely would love to read this one. Thank you for the opportunity.
90 responses to 3-book giveaway and Q-and-A with authors of The Amish
It sounds like a very interesting read. So much of the things we hear about the Amish seem illusive, more like a make belief life style, than actual people. I’d like to learn more! Thanks for a chance!
Book Give-away
I appreciate someone writing an up to date and factual book on the Amish. Thank you & I look forward to owning this book.
I would say the world needed a comprehensive book such as this.
New Book
I am learning of my Amish ties who came to Lancaster, Ohio and Indiana and find them so practical and happy with the lives they have created. I prefer the non fiction books about them and not the romanticized versions.
Give away
Would love to win these books.
Book Entry
Please enter my name for the drawing — definitely would be interested in this book!
Entering . . .
now. It would be great to read of the many different groups and their present characteristics. Count me prayerfully in.
Would love to win!
Sounds like a fascinating book. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!
book giveaway
Would like the opportunity to read this book.
would love to win all 3 of them books,thank
and i shared u on FB