Two works of historical fiction based on the story of Jacob Hochstetler have hit bookshelves over the past month. The first, Jacob’s Choice by Ervin Stutzman, we heard about a few weeks ago. Today we have a Q & A with Bob Hostetler and J.M. Hochstetler, authors of Northkill. Northkill Giveaway Two copies of Northkill are available […]
Continue Reading Northkill: Giveaway and Author Q & A
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What is the procedure for someone who is not Amish to become “Amish?” What are the rewards that Amish people find “in the simple life?” Where does Amish culture generally intersect with the larger culture?
Comments on Nortkill Giveway and Author Q & A
I would love to read that book. I was wondering how long does it take to write a book like that. With all the history and investigation it must take a long time.
Marilyn, it sure does take a long time to write a story like this. We hope to get book 2 out in a couple of years. That’s about how long it takes to do the research and develop the storyline and characters.
I have been to that area and saw the sign that is pictured. Also, have read a few short stories about this but would like to read this book and the other.
Shared on FB
I share all of the articles on Facebook. This one is a real pleasure.
I want to read this!
What a great piece of history to write about!
Can't wait!
History & Amish combined! And…. I noticed on the cover that it is book 1. How many can we anticipate for this series?
One of my favorite types of fiction to read is historical based on real events and people. I would like to read this book. Where can I purchase this book if I do not win a copy?
This sounds like a very interesting book that I would love to read.
Northkill Giveaway
As a member of a Brethren in Christ congregation I am well aware of the name Hostetler within our Pa church and am very interested in the history of the Amish. This being an historical fictional account would be well read once donated to our church library
Count me in ... again.
Well, I guess now I have TWO books that I want to read about this incident. Good luck to the authors of this book.
What a wonderful story.
I would really like to read this book, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Love anything Amish
I would love to read the history in this book. I love reading anything Amish
Northkill
I have read bits and pieces about this event and would love to have the book so I can really learn more.
history buff
Love to read about incidents not generally well-known. Good luck with your book.
hope to win
Sounds very interesting. Have read 2 Amish fiction by Murray Pura that are set in historical eras and found them interesting, but wonder how true to the time they really are.
Looks like an interesting read. Would love win! Thanks!
Sign me on again. Mike
Would LOVE to win this :)
I have heard a little about this piece of history. I love to read anything Amish related. We are transitioning to a simpler life and I’ve been reading a lot about Amish traditions. I also homeschool so I could incorporate this book into our studies!
Loved this post! I definitely want to read this book, and was excited to see that it is just Book 1! How many will be in this series of books, or is that known yet?
My wife and three children would LOVE these books. We would add these books to our children’s elective reading homeschool program. Thanks!
Thanks, once again, for an opportunity to win what sounds like a very intriguing book. Historical fiction has always interested me, and I will also suggest these recent titles to our Adult Services fiction selector to purchase for our library.
Good luck, everyone!
Alice Mary
Northkill Amish Series
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and for your comments about Northkill! There are going to be 2 books in the series. Book 1 develops the lives of our ancestors and covers the attack and the survivors’ separation at the French fort they were taken to. Book 2, The Return, will portray their lives among the Indians, Jakob’s harrowing escape, and the efforts made by the older children Johannes and Barbara to find them. (We use the German spellings of the names in the book.) It will end some years after the return of the 2 boys at Jakob’s deathbed.
Northkill is available on all the major online retailers–Christianbook.com, Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, and others. If it’s not on the shelf at your local bookstore, most retailers should be able to order it. You can find more info and hotlinks to all the online sites on my website at www.jmhochstetler.com, and Bob has info on his site too at http://www.bobhostetler.com/.
One caution: Bob and I wouldn’t recommend this series for young children. It’s written on an adult level and portrays this time period and the events of the war in ways that wouldn’t be appropriate for youngsters. We extensively researched Northkill, and based it very closely on the stories handed down by our ancestors and the information we could find in available resources. I think most adults and mature high-school students will find this story exciting, educational, and deeply inspiring as well.
I was a lucky winner of Jacob’s Choice. The day it came I left my husband read it first under the condition he doesn’t tell me about it. The letter that came with the book, from the publisher, warned that it would be hard to put down once you start reading it. They were right. The only break he took was to eat dinner and supper. He finished most of it one day.
The only thing he did share with me was that it mentions places near us Muncy, Hughesville and Lycoming Creek areas near Williamsport, PA.
I just started reading it today.
I finished reading Jacob’s Choice in two days. It left me wanting to know more about the family. It is agonizing to have to wait for the second in the series. Please put my name on the Giveaway List.
Thank you.
Nancy Lininger
Are these books popular reads for the Amish themselves or with Northkill will it likely be? Besides reading religious material is reading for pleasure all right to do in Amish culture?
Popular Amish Reading
Erik can probably answer this question better than I can, Gary. I do know that many Amish readers enjoy fiction that has a godly, uplifting message. Although few read the popular Amish romances, they do have favorite fiction authors who are familiar with and known in the community. We’ve had considerable interest in Northkill because the story of the Hochstetler attack is so well known, and a couple of Amish bookstores are stocking it as well as Masthof. Forgot to mention them before. You’ll find Northkill on their site at http://www.masthof.com/bookstore/bookstore_viewbook.php?id=3598. I’m trying to find other Amish bookstores that might be interested in Northkill too, so if anyone knows of some, I’d appreciate contact info.
Amish readers?
Sounds like a good answer from Joan. I could see Amish readers picking this one up, those who do read fiction. There is an interest among many Amish in their history and forefathers. Fiction reading is a matter of personal preference but also custom in a given church and community. You see a lot of both Amish and inspirational fiction in bookstores in Amish areas and they are read by some Amish.
Valerie Weaver-Zercher commented wrote about Amish readers of Amish-themed fiction, by her response it is a mixed bag: https://amishamerica.com/who-reads-amish-fiction/
Amish definitely read for pleasure, they just get pleasure from different sources–some from fiction, some from correspondence letters in the Budget or a similar paper, some from the daily newspaper, some from non-fiction, and so on.
Thanks Joan and Erik for answering my questions. Nice to know the Amish find reading not only useful, but one of life’s pleasures too! It makes sense that just like the rest of us preferences vary from person to person.
This sounds like quite a piece of history to read. I certainly would love to.
I’m looking forward to reading this book!
The story of the Hoschstetler massacre has always fascinated me, along with this time-period in history.
I’m looking forward to reading this book!
The story of the Hoschstetler massacre has always fascinated me, along with this time-period in history.
Thanks for the interview.
I would love to win a copy of this book, but I plan to read it even if I don’t win.
I loved “Northkill”! It was so awesome and humbling that Jacob was able to keep his nonresistance even while under attack. When I started the book I was unable to put it down. It was a very encouraging book.
Thank you!
Bless you, Beverly! Thank you so much!
I feel lucky.
I wouldn’t mind winning that book. Thanks
Love Amish
I live to read Amish books
Hochstetler Book Give Away
Hochstetler is a very common name mentioned often by my Nana, paternal grandmother now passed, who lived in Macungie, PA (Allentown area). I am uncertain if there are Hocstetlers in my family tree, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Nana’s side of the family dates pre-Revolutionary war and did trading with Native Americans in the area.
I would like to write a historical fiction about a branch of the family on my maternal grandmother’s side. There is already a very crude history “published” in early 1900s, but I would like to verify details and write a more convincing tale. How would I start? The tale begins in Spain and Germany and continues to Pennsylvania.
I am a real fan of historical fiction and would greatly appreciate your book — won or not! Thank you for the opportunity to read it gratis! Have a good day.
comment on Northkill
would love to have my name on your give a way list. Thanks.
I want to read this one also. I am related by John, Barbara, and Joseph. I have a book called Test Of Faith by Vera Overholt. It is a book about the Hochstetler’s that is for children.
Marcus Yoder
Marcus, Vera Overholt’s Test of Faith is a great choice for younger children. Thanks for mentioning it!
Interesting
I find it exciting that you 2 wrote about your ancestor. I’m a genealogy nut and always find it fun to see an ancestor in a book. (Which I have in one of Joan’s books.)
Congrats on the release. It really sounds fascinating.
Hi, Amy! Good to see you here! You need to write about that ancestor of yours.
Can't Wait
I do genealogy and have seen some research on Northkill. The Hochstettlers are in the branches of my tree and I find them very interesting. Would love to win a book.
Nancy
interesting
this sounds like an interesting piece of history to read!
Barbara Hochstetler Stutzman and Christian Stutzman are my 7th Great Grandparents. Looking forward to reading “Northkill” Thanks for a chance to win 🙂
Very good
I know Bob from our days as Salvation Army officers. His books are all great and well researched.
Sounds like another great read. Enter me, please.
Contest entry
I would love to read this book. Thanks for having this contest?
Amish Reading Giveaway
This sounds like an extremely interesting read. I met Bob a couple years ago at Write Like Mad in Hamilton, Ohio. He’s a very informative man.
Bob is a great guy–and one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. I’m sure that was a very enjoyable event!
Book Giveaway
This sounds like an interesting read! I believe I am related on my Grandmother’s side.
It’s great to meet so many relatives here that I never knew I had and others who have heard about this story and are interested in learning more. Bob and I appreciate all of you stopping by and leaving a comment. Thank you very much!
A fascinating story – I can’t wait to read it!
I want to read this book! It’s sounds like a great read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I would love to win this book!
Northkill Contest
My question is: What is the difference between Mennonites and Amish? I have heard a lot about both and wondered. I would love this book!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Difference between Amish and Mennites
Carolsue, the Mennonites and Amish are both Anabaptist groups. The Amish split off from the Mennonites in 1693, led by Jacob Ammann, over doctrinal disagreements. These mainly concerned the issue of maintaining strict separation from the church and shunning members who break their vows of obedience by leaving the church or not submitting to church authority. You’ll find some basic information here: http://www.thirdway.com/Menno/FAQ.asp?F_ID=3. I know Erik includes more info on this site too, and you might want to check out the link to his Amish Online Encyclopedia for more details about the differences.
Jakob Ammann
Hi Joan, I have some very important information regarding Jakob Ammann, which I’d like to discuss with you. It is quite incredible about his last whereabouts and family. Please contact me or let me know who is the authority on this Jakob Ammann.
Interesting article. I really would like to read this book. I will be putting it on my wish list. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and joined the conversation! I’ve really enjoyed it.