A History of the Amish: Third Edition

I ordered this book for a friend, being familiar with it from reading my own copy years ago, and recommending it to her. Marrying into the Amish, I have NEVER seen a better book explaining the origin and Beginnings of the Amish-Anabaptist movement anywhere, after reading Anabaptist works for over thirty years. This book is not for those interested in Amish shoo-fly pie, quilts, horse and buggies etc., but a down to earth history of who the Amish really are and how the movements beginnings started from the Swiss Brethren in Zurich Switzerland who departed the Reformed Church for a Biblical way of life as they understood it, and the Dutch influence of Menno Simons in Holland. It also explains the Amish Mennonite Division between Rist and Jacob Ammon, who's name is attached to the begging's of the Amish Church. Details explain the many conferences that took place in America and why some Amish Churches are not in communion with one another due to spits and disagreements in the mid 1800's.Never will you find a more concise and more detailed book as this. The book is for everyone, Amish or non Amish who really desires to know who the Amish are and why they still hold to their roots in spit of the Industrial Revolution and why we need them to never loose focus of WHY we were made.I almost guarantee after you finished reading this powerhouse, you will have gained more knowledge than even some of the Amish themselves who have never had the opportunity to discover it. Being traditionalists they sometimes only just want to live like their parents and grandparents lived. If quizzed they often come up with a blank expression. My own wife when questioned about her Amish background, would often reply with not sure, ASK MY HUSBAND! Ha! Hope everyone will enjoy the reading as I did.Peace and Love to all who look for it in this excellent work.Nolt is an expert!Note: Another great and true to the point book is 'Rosanna of the Amish' a book written by Rosanna's own son Joseph Yoder. How I could identify with every chapter living with the Amish for so many years. Highly Recommend it, not only for the detailed information it describes about the way of life of the 'Nebraska Amish' the white top brown box buggy church found in the Big Valley of Pennsylvania. Woman wear no bonnets and men no suspenders or black clothing, saying its too Catholic, Hee! hee!also wearing their hair down to the shoulders and largest brimmed hat found among the Amish sects. White top buggies and brown boxes. Woman wear extra-large bandannas instead of Bonnets (which were borrowed from the Quakers once here in America, bonnets which are the identifying symbol of Amish woman, worn by most of todays Amish woman without any former knowledge of its beginnings and would be very surprised if informed so.) The Nebraska Amish woman dress as the earliest Amish immigrants dressed on their arrival from Europe. Brown is the favored color of the woman with a extra large black bandana and waist length coat only without saws.A Psalm is recited before meals, which I found interesting and experiencing for the first time in an Amish home. But the morning and evening prayers said by the father in a sing song style was very familiar as found in all the Amish churches no matter what affiliation.(Indecently, Rosanna was an Irish Catholic orphan adopted and raised by the Amish. I identified with the Ordination service and all the tears etc., traditionally associated and expected with a new ordination, realizing the tremendous responsibility entailed in ministering to the Amish Community or district they are assigned to.)I was privileged to have had an Amish friend who was friends with the Nebraska Amish, and we spent a night in one of the their homes and had first hand knowledge of the costumes of the Brethren. I never ceased being amazed and what to expect next. A truly living pioneer experience rarely experienced by outsiders or the 'The English'.An unforgettable reading experience!

Exceptional book on an amazing group of Christians... I would love to sit and talk with a member of the Amish COMMUNITY.

I am not very far into the book yet but so far it is interesting, well researched and informative. I have always had a curiosity about the Amish people. I am amazed at how strong they are in their beliefs and ability to live such simple lives amid all of the hustle and bustle of this technical age. Looking forward to finishing the book.

My book was in fantastic condition. The arrival date was once again,a head of schedule. The cover was what caught my eye. The book was pretty much as good as its cover. But like Numbers in the Bible,I had to skim through some of the earlier periods for fear of putting it down,to be forgotten. I finished it in one sitting,not for lack of pages,but too much skimming. I know that I will read it again when I am over my sinus infection,because there was a lot of beauty,wisdom,and knowledge that needs to be remembered and appreciated. Never read a good book when you are sick.

Very happy to learn about the Armish people.

I find this book interesting. I think many would not because of the detail used by the author. In that regard I find myself skipping detail that is beyond my interest and move on. All in all - I commend the book for those in this narrow interest - the Amish.

Interesting read. Nice writing style.

Nolt's "History" is a well-written classic. The third edition continues the concise, thorough attention to detail and the scholarly efforts that those of us who follow his work on a regular basis have come to expect. His overview of the Anabaptist origins of the Amish, extending to their present lifestyle and experiences is highly readable. Strongly recommended for any student, researcher, or professional working with the Amish.

I like this, but the book can be a bit tedious and heavy going with a lot of detail. But some time I will carry on reading it. A little at a time, I think. A lot to absorb.

Again another good read tells you about their faith and culture like the book The Gentle People tells how they live and work the land and to be self sufficient and to be able to live without all the modern gadgets that we realyon today

I wanted to know where the Amish originally arouse out of the European turmoil of the enlightenment period and the aftermath of conflict. I found it in the is book which seems very well researched.

Loved this book. Not at all heavy as some History books can be. The Amish are an amazing people. Deeply faithful to God.Tolerant and loving to all. we could all learn alot from them

Good one