"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.
Young Center books in Anabaptist and Pietist studies
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-134) and index.
Contents
Meet the Amish -- Amish roots -- Living the old order -- Community and church -- Rumspringa : Amish gone wild? -- Family and schooling -- Work and technology -- The Amish and their neighbors -- Amish images in modern America.
Summary
Drawing on more than twenty years of fieldwork and collaborative research, The Amish: A Concise Introduction is a compact but richly detailed portrait of Amish life. In fewer than 150 pages, readers will come away with a clear understanding of the complexities of these simple people.
Introduction -- Preface -- Amish History of Southern Lancaster County, 1940-1992 -- An Amish Settlement of 1940 by Gideon L. Fisher -- Nickel Mines Settlement in 1940 -- Iva District -- Bart Township History -- Historic Mines Originally Produced Copper for Colonies -- The First Amish Family in Kirkwood -- Tragedies -- Migrations -- Weather -- School History -- War Time -- Fires -- Stores -- Miscellaneous -- Districts -- Ministers' Conference
Chapters: For goodness' sake --Gifts from God --Graven images --A woman's rold --Ben --Daily bread --Rum Springa --A tip of the hat --Laundry at dawn --The haircut --Barn raising --House church --What's in a name? --That wonderful home cooking --Andy --Amanda --Instruction in wisdom --Bed courtship --Rachel --News from the budget --Noah.
Summary
Through personal stories and photographs the author reveals the Amish beliefs, values, and traditions, and conveys their view of the outside world.
