Includes bibliographical references (pages 357-361).
Summary
Examines how the spiritual beliefs and vision of America's founders shaped the country's history and culture and assesses the influence of the spiritual traditions of African slaves, Native Americans, and early mystical communities on colonial America.
"An eclectic mixture of autobiography, U.S. intellectual history, philosophical inquiry, and spiritual wonderment, this extended meditative essay examines "America as an Idea" by uncovering the latent wisdom of many of its shining lights: Benjamin Franklin, William Penn, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Walt Whitman. Needleman, a philosophy professor and author of Money and the Meaning of Life, reinterprets the lives of each of these leaders in the context of their strong spiritual beliefs and their contributions to unifying a deeply divided body politic. The author liberally quotes classical philosophers, historians, biographers, and the subjects themselves, and he often interjects his own life experiences and spiritual beliefs into his loosely structured narrative. Needleman also tackles what he considers to be America's two most grievous historical blemishes: the murder of Native American culture and slavery and suggests how America should confront these wrongs." [from the "Library Journal"]
"The companion to American Experience PBS"--Jacket.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 461-485) and index.
Contents
Roots. Who are the Amish? -- European origins -- The story in America -- Cultural context. Religious roots -- Sacred rituals -- The Amish way -- Symbols and identity -- Social organization. Diverse affiliations -- Population patterns -- Community organization -- Gender and family -- From Rumspringa to marriage -- Social ties and community rhythms -- Education -- External ties. Agriculture -- Business -- Technology -- Health and healing -- Government and civic relations -- The Amish in print -- Tourism and media -- The future. Pursuits of happiness -- Appendix A. Related groups: Mennonites, Brethren, Hutterites -- Appendix B. Key events in Amish history.
Summary
The Amish have always struggled with the modern world. Known for their simple clothing, plain lifestyle, and horse-and-buggy mode of transportation, Amish communities continually face outside pressures to modify their cultural patterns, social organization, and religious world view. An intimate portrait of Amish life, The Amish explores not only the emerging diversity and evolving identities within this distinctive American ethnic community, but also its transformation and geographic expansion.
