In this final decade of the twentieth century, a life-and-death struggle is being played out in Lancaster County: between land speculation and land stewardship, between material wealth and moral worth, between unrestrained growth and "the ties that bind." The Amish are at the center of the conflict, trying to maintain their unique community in the face of increasing encroachment from the outside. Randy Testa stands as a witness to their struggle, telling "the story of a people on the verge of conflagration". [from the publisher]
"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.
