Book Review: Amish Peace
Back in 1997 when we lived in Michigan, I had the pleasure of hiring an Amish midwife to attend my home birth. She was a tiny woman with five children at home. Soon after I met her, she became pregnant with their sixth child. She, herself, was in her late forties.
For some of my prenatal care, I drove down a gravel road to her farmhouse. I remember sunlight slanting through windows, eating homemade bread and homegrown cantaloupe. I remarked about the softball sized rocks that they had to arrange around the foundation of the house each year and she said, “Oh, we like to do it.” I would have complained, I’m afraid. I remember looking out at the horses in the back pasture and tall sunflowers bending under the weight of their seeds.
During my labor, she gripped my hands with her smaller ones–the idea being she’d grip tightly and I’d relax my hands as much as possible. Compared to everyone else, her grip was so strong–I realized later her strength came from daily cow-milking. She was calm, serene and smiled easily.
And so this book, Amish Peace, resonated with me. The stories tempted me to ditch the Internet and plow a garden. (Not that I really could. But if I could? Would I?) Who needs electricity when you have an oil lamp, right?
This non-fiction book by Suzanne Woods Fisher gives readers a glimpse into the Amish lifestyle. She organizes the contents into five parts: Simplicity, Time, Community, Forgiveness and The Sovereignty of God. Each part includes real-life stories of Amish people and examples from their lifestyle.
I like that each smaller section is really small–only two or three pages–the perfect length for a nighttime read before bed or a morning read before racing through the day. Just reading this book calmed me and gave me things to consider. (“The Clockless Year”, for instance. Imagine! Or “Amish Stuff”, which made me want to purge the house immediately.)
This book proposes that “you don’t have to become Amish to make personal peace a reality.”
I have always been curious about the Amish lifestyle–prior to my personal encounter with the Amish midwife–and appreciate the additional insight into Amish life in this book.
So, two thumbs up. I like it! It would be a good gift book for someone for Christmas (coming soon to a house near you!). And if you buy it on October 5 (Monday), you’ll get a chance to win a basket of books. (Details below.)
You should know that I received a free copy of this book to read. If you’d like to have it when I’m done reading it (I didn’t finish yet), leave a comment and I’ll pass it along to someone (randomly).
“Available October 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a copy of Amish Peace, either online or at your local bookstore, on Monday October 5th and enter to win a basket of books published by Revell.
Once you buy the book send Suzanne an email (suzanne@suzannewoodsfisher.com) or leave a comment on her blog or Facebok page or email Amy (amy@litfusegroup.com) stating where you bought the book and how many copies you purchased and you’ll be entered to win the basket of books!
I’d love your copy! I am very interested in the Amish lifestyle. (Interested in learning about it, not living it.) I read “The Riddle of Amish Culture” but it was written more like a text book and a little dry.
I would love to read this book. Anything that can simplify my life or add peace is welcome. Sounds very interesting.
I saw this at the local Borders today. I also saw a book containing three novels called something like Amish Christmas. I shrink inside when I sense ocmmercialization of the Amish. We have “Amish” cheese, potato salad, and chicken in the local grocery store.
I would love to read this when you are finished! I only have a few minutes a day to read something extra and this sounds like something I could fit in. Plus I am always ever curious about the Amish lifestyle myself. I know I would love the simplicity…
Pick me, pick me! Either that, or I’ll see if the library has it. Either way I definitely want to read it.
I’m writing down the author’s name and title of this book so I can pick up a copy to read. OR, you could just hand it over – no one will get hurt!
I’d love to have your copy! the Amish fascinate me for no reason greater than how amazingly content they seem. I’d like a little of that simplicity
Would SOOOO LOVE to read when your finished….Will even pass on when i’m finished!
i would be delighted to be the ‘random pick’ . . . thanks for your generosity.
I always wanted to be Amish.
But, my mother was free to assure me that I would not last a day, what with all the work.
Oh! I would love your copy when you are done with it! I love all things Amish. My daughter Abigail is so in love with Amish culture that she has asked me to buy books about Amish. This year for her birthday one of her gifts was a calendar that had Amish culture photos and tidbit information. We even have bought her a “Amish” doll for Christmas. The Amish don’t put faces on their dolls. Did you know that? I’m not sure if it is true or not but I also just learned that they don’t allow musical instruments. I have to research that. I can’t imagine not have music in my life. I could live with tv and even the computer but books and music are my two loves.
Side note – Mel, I don’t know if your blonde haired beauty still watches Max and Ruby but there are new episodes on this week. I know you made a post about new episodes and that your little one loved M&R so I thought I would let you know.
Ouida Gabriel
I would love to read that book, I hope you randomly pick me!!
thanks
Kelly Collins
Howdy everyone. Alisa is the winner! Thanks for participating! –Mel