Puzzles of Amish Life

DESCRIPTION:

Revised edition! People’s Place Book #10. A sociologist provides a way to understand the Amish people’s intentional way of living in a world far different from their own. Fun to read.

How do the Amish thrive in the midst of modern life?
Why do the Amish separate themselves from the modern world?
Why do a religious people spurn religious symbols and church buildings?
Why is humility a cherished value?
Why do a gentle people shun disobedient members?
How do the Amish regulate social change?
Why is ownership of cars objectionable, but not their use?
Why are some modes of transportation acceptable and other forbidden?
Why are tractors permitted around barns but not in fields?
Why are horses used to pull modern farm machinery?
Why are telephones banned from Amish homes?
Why are some forms of electricity acceptable while others are rejected?
How is modern machinery operated without electricity?
Why are some occupations acceptable and others taboo?
Why do the Amish use the services of professionals -- lawyers, doctors, and dentists -- but oppose higher education?
Why do Amish youth rebel in their teenage years?
Are the Amish freeloading on American life?
Are the Amish behind or ahead of the modern world?

REVIEWS:
“He shows that the Amish are not as rigid as is often thought and that the durability of their way of life constitutes a challenge to American society.”—Booklist
“Kraybill answers them with his full authority but always personably, straightforwardly, and at sufficient length to be richly informative. As in his longer text, he shows that the Amish are not as rigid as is often thought and that the durability of their way of life constitutes a critique of and a challenge to the greater American society within which, ‘despite their shortcomings, they have created a social order in which human contentment flourishes.’” — Booklist

“Highly recommended for a wide audience, from teens to adults who have questions about and a special interest in the Amish.” — The Midwest Book Review

“This amply illustrated little book is an excellent interpretive introduction to the Amish. For people desiring more information, one can recommend Kraybill’s more scholarly companion volume, The Riddle of Amish Culture.” — Mennonite Life

“To many outsiders, the Amish way of life seems to be a morass of contradictions that can’t be seen as upholding any religious principles. Telephones are not allowed in houses but appear at the end of farm lanes; Amish can’t own cars but often hire cars and drivers; some uses of electricity are acceptable but others are not, and so on.
      “Basically, Kraybill says that one reason the Amish survive is their ability to compromise with modern life. ‘. . . the bargains strike a delicate balance between the forces of tradition and the sway of progress. The Amish are willing to change, but not at the expense of communal values and ethnic identity. They are willing to use modern technology, but not when it disrupts family and community stability. The cultural compromises, rather than foolish contradictions, are negotiated deals that preserve key Amish values and, at the same time, permit selective modernization.’” — Pennsylvania

“In The Puzzles of Amish Life, Donald B. Kraybill explains the more perplexing aspects of Amish life.” — St. Anthony Messenger

“If you are the least bit interested in these people who seem to be left over from another, more peaceful time, this book is a must.
      “Be warned though: A lot of your romantic ideas about these folks will be shattered—clothing styled in traditional patterns but made from synthetic materials, vinyl flooring, formica counters, and colorful gas stoves and ranges really upset any image!” — New York-Pennsylvania Collector

CONTENTS:
Chapter 1—Growth
      How do the Amish thrive in the midst of modern life?
Chapter 2—Separation
      Why do the Amish separate themselves from the modern world?
Chapter 3—Religion
      Why do a religious people spurn religious symbols and church buildings?
Chapter 4—Humility
      Why is humility a cherished value?
Chapter 5—Shunning
      Why do a gentle people shun disobedient members?
Chapter 6—Social Change
      How do the Amish regulate social change?
Chapter 7—Automobiles
      Why is ownership of cars objectionable, but not their use?
Chapter 8—Transportation
      Why are some modes of transportation acceptable and other forbidden?
Chapter 9—Tractors
      Why are tractors permitted around barns but not in fields?
Chapter 10—Farm Machinery
      Why are horses used to pull modern farm machinery?
Chapter 11—Telephones
      Why are telephones banned from Amish homes?
Chapter 12—Electricity
      Why are some forms of electricity acceptable while others are rejected?
Chapter 13—Power
      How is modern machinery operated without electricity?
Chapter 14—Occupations
      Why are some occupations acceptable and others taboo?
Chapter 15—Education
      Why do the Amish use the services of professionals—lawyers, doctors, and dentists—but oppose higher education?