Brad Igou on Amish Voices: A Collection of Amish Writings (Book Giveaway)

Buggy in snow- Chuck Grimmett/flickr

Free Rein

One day in late fall, snow fell and caught me unprepared for winter. Hoping to save a little time, I took a different way home, one with which I was not too familiar, yet I anticipated no problem. Old Dobbin obligingly trotted on, but I was not far until I began to have doubts that this road was leading me home. By now the only thing I was certain of was that I was not going where I wished to go.

A sudden inspiration came to me, and I urged my horse onward. I turned around and headed back the way I had come. Only this time I left it all to good old Dobbin. I knew I was too confused to decide for myself, and I believed that my horse wanted to get home every bit as much as I did. It was exactly the opposite of what seemed right to me, but I knew my hope was in trusting my horse and God, who had given him the homing instinct. We had not gone too far before the faint outlines began to look familiar. My horse had found the way.

Is it not the same in our lives? We think we know, only to find ourselves on the wrong track. Our only way back is to turn around, let loose the reins, and trust Another to lead the way, even when it is not what we might choose for ourselves. We know he guides the way and knows our every need.

–A Teacher

Excerpt from Amish Voices: A Collection of Amish Writings by Brad Igou, © Herald Press, 2019. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Heraldpress.com.


Brad Igou is the person behind the book Amish Voices: A Collection of Amish Writings.

For many years, Brad was president and co-owner of the Amish Experience at Plain & Fancy Farm in Bird-in-Hand, PA, before retiring last year.

Brad was the publisher and author of numerous articles in the Amish Country News monthly, which you might have come across if you’ve visited Lancaster County. He has also spoken at conferences on the Amish at Elizabethtown College.

The Amish In Their Own Words – an earlier version of this book – was one of the first books I ever read about the Amish.

So it’s nice to have Brad here today to answer some questions on his own experiences with the Amish over the years, and how this unique book – based on writings in the Amish publication Family Life – came to be.

Enter to win a copy of Amish Voices

To enter the drawing for a copy of Amish Voices, just leave a comment on this post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced in a separate post next week.


Brad Igou on Amish Voices

Amish America: Can you give us some brief background on this book – how did it come about and what does it contain?

Brad Igou: In 1999, after many years of reading Amish publications, the first book The Amish In Their Own Words, was published. Then 20 years later a condensed version, Amish Voices, was released.

The idea behind both books was to let the Amish speak for themselves through their writings in the monthly magazine Family Life, from Pathway, the Amish publishing house based in Aylmer, Ontario, Canada.

Amish America: How did you first meet the Amish and how have you worked and interacted with them over the years?

Brad Igou: In college I got a job working at a local Amish attraction as a guide. One of my jobs was to go out and pick up craft items from an elderly Amish lady. We struck up a friendship, and I became so interested in the Amish that I changed my major to sociology/anthropology at Ithaca College.

In my senior year, I was able to do an independent study by living and working with an Amish family for three months. It was there that I came across copies of Family Life, and found them a fascinating window into Amish life, quite different from the academic books I was used to reading.

Obviously during my thirty years at the Amish Experience (Route 340, between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse), I had contact with many Amish, especially when we developed our unique Amish Visit-in-Person Tour.

Amish on scooters- likeaduck/flickr (cropped)

What did the process of putting together this book look like? 

I don’t know exactly when, but I believe in the late 1980’s, I met Amishman Abner Beiler while on a tour. Of all things, we got talking about cornmeal pancakes and I told him I would drive by his house with a recipe I had.

Known as a local Amish “historian” and a good talker, I learned he was currently housing a library in his house, and all the issues of Family Life beginning in 1967 where there (the library eventually moved into a permanent building beside the Gordonville Bookstore).

I had been thinking of compiling some articles from the magazines but never thought I would find all the back issues. And so began the process of my leaving work at the Amish Experience most Wednesday nights and reading through the issues, writing by hand the sections I thought interesting.

In the process, Abner became a treasured friend and resource. I had decided to stop reading at the 25-year mark. Near the end of the project, the big old computer in my house crashed and I lost what I had typed in (these were the days of actual floppy disks).

Luckily, I had kept my hand-written notes, and Abner encouraged me to start the process of re-typing them all again. I then printed the selections out and organized them in chronological order into appropriate categories (chapters) for the book.

What in your view are the biggest misconceptions people have about the Amish? What surprised you as to what you learned while compiling this book?

Many people think of the Amish in monolithic terms… they all live and think alike. Today, readers of the Amish America website certainly discover that diversity of Amish culture, practices, and opinions.

As I read Family Life, I was fascinated by the different thoughts and the honest writing and discussion, often grappling with very difficult personal problems. Also, for people with an 8th-grade education, many of the poems and articles were extremely compelling and emotional. This was clearly the “human side” of the Amish.

Finally, I also enjoyed the humor. I have always felt that many Amish have a delightful sense of humor and enjoy a good laugh as much as the next person.

Which topics evoked the strongest responses from people writing in to Family Life?

There were two columns, “What Do You Think?” and “Problem Corner,” in which often difficult issues and concerns were presented, and readers were invited to respond. The range of responses was often fascinating, and people were not always in agreement.

Editor Elmo Stoll’s column “Views and Values” was always worth reading. And “Yesterdays and Years” looked at Amish life in days gone by. All of these clearly got people thinking and inspired many responses.

Which articles or comments made the biggest impression or stood out to you the most?

The one lengthy article that convinced me a book would be worthwhile was the story about the Amish selecting a new minister.

I had read the description of this choosing by lot in scholarly books, but I had never read something describing the thoughts that might go through members’ heads during the process.

Having been lucky enough to attend such a service, and moved by all the emotion I felt in the room when the new minister was announced, I now had a window into the various thoughts that might have been swirling around in the room at the time.

I also enjoyed what I called “Amish Parables,” in which something simple inspired the writer to a bigger realization or inspiration. Having taught English in Japan for eight years, I saw these stories as a sort of Amish Zen, or akin to Christ’s parables in the New Testament.

What, if any, changes did you notice in the magazine over the 25-year-period you covered?

The changes really had to do with what was going on to a degree in the world around them over the 25 years. But I remained more impressed with the consistency of a sense of community, how they might often question their beliefs, and by being humble and rarely judging others.

Rarely are religion and way of life tied together as they are in Amish culture. As one column was titled, “The Answer is in the Scriptures.”

What might non-Amish readers gain from reading Amish Voices?

Many readers say they like the short selections, making it easy to pick up the book and simply read a couple paragraphs at random. So it is not a “tough” academic read, but one by which we see the Amish not as “cookie cutter” people, but facing many of the same challenges of life in a changing world, raising children, making a living, dealing with technology, and our relationship to religion and to one another.

I like how one writer said their focus should not be on this world, but on the world yet to come. Finally, the Amish are quick to note they are far from perfect, and don’t always face serious problems as they should.

Few people are “studied” as much as the Amish. But in this book, I just wanted the Amish to speak for themselves so we could see them “as people,” not as objects of academic study or the subject of romance novels.


Thanks to Brad for his answers. Enter to win a copy of Amish Voices by leaving a comment below. Or if you’d like to go ahead and get the book now, you can do that here.

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    111 Comments

    1. Susan Campbell

      Our Amish Values

      What an interesting looking book. Would love to win a copy of Amish Voices. I enjoyed reading the column today.

    2. John Bumbas

      What articles in the past did you find as the most uplifting??

      1. John, Brad passed this comment along:

        As I mentioned, the story of the selection of a minister was what prompted me to begin the book. This and what I call “Amish Parables,” stories of everyday life that take on a broader, spiritual meaning. The last chapter in my original book is titled “Amish Parables” Lessons from Life,” and that is where I collected my favorite stories.

    3. This sounds great!

      I absolutely love the Amish and visit Lancaster/Bird in Hand yearly as it’s only 2 hours from our house. I told my husband when we married 20 years ago, it is not an option, we MUST visit yearly. Which we have made several Mennonite friends on one occasion, so now we have even more of a reason. I’ve learned a lot from them about their Amish neighbors and enjoy visiting their church where we have to sit men on one side women on the other. I’m always bringing home homemade shoefly pies, cinnamon buns and fresh produce. I really miss Hayloft Candles and their petting zoo. But that has caused us to venture out and find new places we love off the beaten path.

      I really look forward to reading this book win or lose it will be on my April birthday wish list.

    4. Pamela Young

      Enter for contest

      I love all things Amish . We have a new Amish community one mile from us now and I’m always so favinated about everything Amish. I would so love to have your book to read and share with family .

    5. B. Heil

      Our God

      Our God will bring His children safely Home. Thanks for putting the book together.

    6. Alice Berger

      Amish Voices

      This book sounds really interesting and I’d love to read it!

    7. Kim Albert

      Need this positivity!

      Would love to read this book! Needing anything that can lift us up during these times!

    8. Beverly Merkel

      Interesting

      What an undertaking to compile this book! So much interesting information to read. Would love to win a copy! Always enjoy your articles.

    9. Esther (Yoder) Kern

      Horse Travel Safety

      How this story evokes memories of my older brother in his “rumspringa” years. On Saturday and Sunday nights when he courted his girlfriend, he would sleep all the way home, in his buggy, while the horse trotted all the way home. The horse stopped at two major State Road intersections, crossed when the highway was clear, and always brought him home safely. That is, until one night, my brother woke up and discovered his horse had stopped at the barn of a perfect stranger!

      1. Great story Esther. I guess it’s better that he messed up on the final destination part and not on the crossing the state highway part!:) I know that sleeping while the horse gets you home is done…I like it even though it sounds kinda risky – I guess you have to know if you can trust your horse . On late night empty rural Midwestern roads I can see it. I wouldn’t be as serene falling asleep in parts of Lancaster County, on the other hand.

    10. Christy

      I just wondered does this version “Amish Voices” have the same articles as “Amish In Their Own Words”? Are they completely different books? I have one title already. Thanks

      1. Christy this is from Brad:

        The book is indeed a condensed version of THE AMISH IN THEIR OWN WORDS. There is no new material. The publisher thought a shorter more readable book might be worthwhile.

    11. Glenda johnstone

      A life admired

      I have followed the amish America website and read books on the amish for years. Got started many years ago due to my quilting. Would love another book to read.

      1. Glad you’ve been keeping up with the site that long Glenda! One thing I really like about these kinds of posts is getting to hear from people who read but don’t comment all the time. And I can understand that, because there are many sites I read but never or just rarely comment on.

    12. Barbara Hamby

      Book Giveaway

      i guess alot of us stereo-type the Amish. Would love to read this book and maybe it would change my mind about them.

    13. Franci

      Amish Voices - Book Giveaway

      Love the story Free Rein!
      Wish that would work with my car!

    14. Teresa Hurley

      Inspiring

      Seems that it could be a devotional source as well. Very uplifting
      Story

    15. Melanie Adams

      Thank you

      So often we hear about the Amish from the perspective of the “English”. It’s great that you are providing a platform for the Amish voices to be heard.

    16. Geo

      Eli's horse

      Well my friend Eli told about falling asleep holding the reins on the way home from my English Nephew’s house near Edon, Ohio. They had shared a beverage or two and, yes, Amish folk will enjoy an adult beverage now and again. When Eli woke, he found himself in his driveway at home. Eli’s trusty old horse knew the way and took care of him. Eli moved to Illinois recently where he had a collision with a motor vehicle destroying the buggy and injuring Eli. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t think to ask if that good old horse survived, but I will ask when I get a chance. Eli recovered and I hope the dear old horse is still with him learning the new neighborhood.

    17. Alecia Ernst

      Amish Voices

      It sounds like a wonderful and interesting book. I have been fascinated by the Amish since the early 1980’s. I have been to the Lancaster area many times and I consider it my favorite place on earth! I live in upstate NY and we now have many Amish communities in our area. It would be a privilege and honor to win Amish Voices. Have a lovely day.

    18. Collection of Amish Writings (Book Giveaway)

      I so enjoyed the excerpt today!! It really resonated with me and was so in tune to the faith I, too, enjoy. The way it was presented was right on time! Thank you so much!

    19. kim hansen

      Even horse know the way home better than humans.

    20. Lisa Meaney

      Great Post

      Thank you as always for sharing. I love reading Amish America
      I’d love to win this book! It looks wonderful!

      1. Glad to hear it Lisa, I know we’ve had a lot of gloomy-topic articles lately given the current situation, so I thought this would be a nice way to close the week. I really enjoyed Brad’s answers.

    21. Barbara Head

      Free Rein

      In this writing I felt warmth, depth and contentment. From your first few sentences I was captivated! Something I would read often to give me the encouragement to let go and let God take the reins of my life.

      1. One thing I like in these excerpts and Family Life articles in general is that the writers often remain anonymous. I like how this one was simply signed: “–A Teacher”.

    22. Book giveaway of Amish Voices

      I have Pennsylvania Dutch in my background on my mom’s side although I don’t have any more information than that. I have always been interested in the Amish culture. I collect Amish cookbooks and my favorite one is recipes that was gathered by an acquaintance’s grandfather while he was recovering from an accident. It is illustrated with his personal drawings and many sayings of Amish Life. I would love to get a copy of Amish Voices.

    23. Wonderful Book

      This sounds like a wonderful book. I’d like to use it as a daily devotional. I was especially touched by this statement: “Rarely are religion and way of life tied together as they are in Amish culture.”

    24. Eugenia McQueen

      Family Life

      We subscribed to Family Life a good many years ago – but I failed to save those issues. It would be a great blessing to have this book with those articles in it.

    25. Variety in Amish Thoughts and Feelings

      I think I need to subscribe to Family Life if it is continuing on after your retirement. I have close friends in a very conservative community 90 miles away, and acquaintances in an Amish community close by, which is much more “progressive” in their adoption of technology. The consistency in their emphasis on faith, family, hard work, and honorable business practices extends through both communities. We come at things very differently, but are able to appreciate and enjoy each other. It will be a treat to read your book, no matter how I acquire it!

    26. people

      As many know, the Amish are wonderful people. We have an Amish Market not far from where I live in Maryland and I am constantly feeling very welcome when I visit to shop there. they are very polite, yet always I have seen them chatting with “English” customers as if they know them well.

      The big thing is to remember that we are all people and it takes many of us to make up a community. I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit and get to know our Amish neighbors.

      1. Lisa just curious, which market is that? I wonder if I’ve been there.

    27. Charlotte Walker

      I love The Amish

      I love the Amish people! They are always so kind. I would love this book!

    28. Glen Stewart

      I enjoy reading this daily article

      I have visited our Tennessee Amish settlement many times. I am very interested in Amish life. I would love a copy of Amish Voices.

    29. Linda Bushman

      Life

      I am from Northern Indiana, an Englisher. The book is a slice of home.

    30. Bernice DiVincenzo

      Amish Voices

      Looking forward to this book. I am also one who visits the Lancaster area very frequently and can’t get enough reading about the Amish. They are remarkable people surviving in our ever changing world. Away from the commercialized stuff, a visit to their surroundings always brings a joyful peaceful feeing.

    31. Barbara Libengood

      Abner Beiler

      Brad, I’m not sure if you remember me but my husband and I met you several times at Abner’s home. I met him when we both worked at Zimmerman’s and he was the one who encouraged me to teach in one of their schools. Abner and Katie were so welcoming to us. After Katie died, we visited more often. I have so many Abner stories and memories.
      I am looking forward to reading your book.

      1. Barbara, Brad passed this along, he remembers you:

        I do remember the name Barbara Libengood. Abner often received visitors when I was at his house working on the book.

        Abner had many friends and was always a joy to talk to. When I finished reading magazines for the night, we often sat on the porch in the summer and watched the fireflies in the cornfield and what Abner called “Amish movies,” as the cars driving around the bend at night cast shadows moving across the front of the house. I have many more fond memories, as do others who knew Abner.

    32. Virgadean Richmond

      Amish Voices

      I would love to receive the book! I got started reading/listening to fiction with Amish characters when I was searching for Christian audiobooks about quilting. I have been hooked ever since. How nice it would be to read stories from Amish authors.

    33. Tina Bolyard

      I would love to win a book. Love reading about the Amish. It would be great to read something that the Amish has written.

    34. Kathy Jackson

      Glimpses into another lifestyle

      As a young child, I had the opportunity to visit some of the Amish communities in PA. My best recollections are of the home-style restaurants, penny candies and the wonderful horse and buggies which traveled the roads. I also enjoyed the colorful Hex Signs I would see everywhere. I don’t know if they are still prevalent?

      I will appreciate a copy of Brad Igou’s book if my name is drawn. Here in NM we do not have as large a community of Amish but are fortunate to be around the Pueblos and Navajo cultures.

      Thank you.

      1. Kathy the hex signs are more a “Pennsylvania Dutch” thing which is a larger cultural-historical group Amish belong to, but you don’t really see them on Amish places. However you will see them here and there in Lancaster County, but usually connected with tourist businesses. It’s funny you mention it because I’m just about to put up a new post today about a community where I saw hex signs everywhere on barns – but mainly “English” barns.

    35. Diane Sattazahn

      Worthwhile Reading

      Even after living in Lancaster County for a few years, I still don’t know the Amish like I want to. Thank you for writing this book, Brad; I believe it will give insights into daily life that we would not get otherwise. Looking forward to reading it.

    36. Dorothy Borders

      We have many Amish and Mennonite near us. It would be wonderful to have a copy of this book to read. Their lifestyle seems so much closer to God than my churchgoing friends.

    37. Lee Zook

      Horse Sense

      I don’t wish to take anything away from this story and the spiritual teaching that goes with it. I have heard similar stories. My uncle-by-marriage came to date his wife to be when she was working at my parents home. Many years later he told me when he would leave after his date he would give his horse free rein, fall asleep in his buggy, and wake up when his horse stopped at the closed gate by his barnyard.

      1. Have Amish been way ahead of the curve here for years and we didn’t realize it? “Driverless vehicles” for the English are still just at testing/niche phase after all:)

    38. Amish Voices

      My friends and I usually visit the Lancaster area at least 2-3 times a year to shop at the Amish and antique shops. We haven’t visited in several months because of health issues, but can’t wait to visit soon. I read Amish America regularly, love the articles and have learned a lot about the Amish way of life which I share with my friends. On our last trip they identified Amish & Mennonite buggies after I told them about the different colors. My friends and I appreciate their craftsmanship and have purchased furniture and quilts as well as many smaller items for our homes.
      I think I would enjoy reading Amish Voices.

      1. Thanks Charlene! I don’t get tired of visiting Lancaster County either. Hopefully that will be more possible to do soon:)

    39. Anne Hassell

      Amish Voices

      I would love to have a copy of this book. I live in Nevada and I’m not aware of any Amish in my immediate area, but I was always fascinated by the Order Dunkard community that was near my grandparent’s house in Indiana.

    40. Vivian Furbay

      Interesting book

      i have had an interest in the Amish for several years and enjoy reading Amish America. This book has writings by the Amish themselves and not someone outside of the Amish writing their opinion.

    41. Walter Boomsma

      Sounds like a "must read..."

      I’m currently working my way through a pile of Amish-related books and it sounds like this should be in it. So many writers seem to write about the Amish without truly working at understanding them. Letting the Amish “speak for themselves” reflects a desire to know and understand and I look forward to learning that first hand. I think it’s also important to not just focus on the “alikeness” of the Amish but to appreciate their diversity.

    42. Ler Simmons

      Book Giveaway

      Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. I’ll purchase if I don’t win. I know whomever receives it will enjoy it, judging by the comments. Thanks for this interesting site, Erik.

    43. Life in Holmes County

      My husband and I have been blessed to live and work in Holmes County for 12 years where, it is claimed the largest population of Amish in the world live. And yet there is so much we do not know or understand about these faith-filled people. We would love a copy.

    44. Marilyn Love

      Amish in general

      I would love to live and spend a week with them

    45. sue

      great read !

      I would surely love to read this book ! Sounds like a great one to read !

    46. Kevin

      Nice Article

      I love learning about the Amish. I’m not much of a reader. But this book would interest me and I’d read it.

    47. Annette Clark

      Would love to win a copy of this book.

    48. Alberta Anderson

      Enjoyed The Article

      While vsiting the Shipshewana area a couple of times I’ve found the Amish to be calm and sensible folks and that’s very inspiring in today’s world. We certainly can use more of those traits.

      I enjoyed the article very much and would like to read the rest of the book.

    49. Sherri Lane

      Giveaway

      I would looooove this book! We could all use some Amish Godly wisdom about now!

    50. Mike Godwin

      I would love to read this!

      I would love to be chosen to win!!