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DESCRIPTION:
Revised edition! People’s Place Book #10. A sociologist provides a way to understand the Amish people’s intentional way of living in a world far different from their own. Fun to read.
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?
REVIEWS:
“He shows that the Amish are not as rigid as is often thought and that the
durability of their way of life constitutes a challenge to American society.”—Booklist
“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
CONTENTS:
Chapter 1—Growth
How do the Amish thrive in the midst of modern life?
Chapter 2—Separation
Why do the Amish separate themselves from the modern world?
Chapter 3—Religion
Why do a religious people spurn religious symbols and
church buildings?
Chapter 4—Humility
Why is humility a cherished value?
Chapter 5—Shunning
Why do a gentle people shun disobedient members?
Chapter 6—Social Change
How do the Amish regulate social change?
Chapter 7—Automobiles
Why is ownership of cars objectionable, but not their use?
Chapter 8—Transportation
Why are some modes of transportation acceptable and other
forbidden?
Chapter 9—Tractors
Why are tractors permitted around barns but not in fields?
Chapter 10—Farm Machinery
Why are horses used to pull modern farm machinery?
Chapter 11—Telephones
Why are telephones banned from Amish homes?
Chapter 12—Electricity
Why are some forms of electricity acceptable while others
are rejected?
Chapter 13—Power
How is modern machinery operated without electricity?
Chapter 14—Occupations
Why are some occupations acceptable and others taboo?
Chapter 15—Education
Why do the Amish use the services of
professionals—lawyers, doctors, and dentists—but oppose higher education? ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
Donald B. Kraybill is professor of Sociology and Anabaptist-Pietist Studies at Messiah College (Grantham, Pennsylvania), where he also serves as provost. He is the author of The Riddle of Amish Culture, Old Order Amish, Amish Enterprise: From Plows to Profits, and the editor of The Amish and the State, and authored The Amish Struggle with Modernity, published by the University Press of New England. |
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