Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy

by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy  
published 2007 by Jossey-Bass
binding Hardcover
isbn 0787997617   (isbn13: 9780787997618)
pages 240
description On Monday morning, October 2, 2006, a gunman entered a one-room Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. In front of twenty-five horrified pupils, ...more
date added
06-10-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 134)



Ginnie
Ginnie rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
10/30/07

bookshelves: religion, treasure
Read in October, 2007
Saw this praised on Bill Moyers Journal and reserved it instantly. This book achieves what most books don't. It combines a rich well of scholarly research on the part of three academicians without sacrificing the soul of what occurred at Nickel Mines during and after the event. In addition to being well researched the book has a poetically lyrical and haunting quality that honors, reflects, and conveys the hearts, souls, and minds of the Amish community.

One of the most difficult things a w...more
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J. M.
J. M. rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/21/08

Publisher's Weekly gave this book a terrific review. I've just started reading it, but so far I don't see anything that would make me think they were wrong. Having grown up in an Amish and Mennonite community, and having numerous relatives who are one or the other, this sensitive, thoughtful narrative moves me deeply and reminds me of my roots. It doesn't dwell on the events of that day beyond merely explaining what happened. Instead, it delves deeply into the grace the Amish community li...more
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Debnance
Debnance rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
01/21/08

In 2006, a gunman went into a one-room Amish schoolhouse and shot ten girls, killing five of them, and then killed himself. What is the immediate response of the Amish community? The Amish instantly voice their forgiveness of this man and his actions. They visit his widow and children and go to the killer’s funeral. It almost feels superhuman. The authors investigate this incident and the forgiveness that followed and look into the origins of Amish forgiveness in the Amish culture, how it is c...more
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Cindy
Cindy rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
05/09/08

Read in May, 2008
I learned a few things from reading this book. First, when reading the first chapters I strongly suggest that you read someplace where you can show emotion (CRY). Instead of reading at the gym and then trying to camouflage your tears with sweat. Second, it’s important to take a look at ourselves and find ways that we can improve our inner Grace. I truley enjoyed reading that even though they had forgiven it was still hard and they still had to deal with there own feelings. But the Tender Grace...more
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Bill
Bill rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
01/25/08

Read in January, 2008
This is a study of the concept of forgiveness among the Old Order Amish of southeastern Pennsylvania in the wake of the West Nickel Mines school massacre in the fall of 2006.
The authors, all professors who have studied the Amish for years, marvel at the way the Amish were able to forgive the shooter and reach out to his family.
We could all learn from it.
The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because the authors sometimes seem to string Bible quotations together, which gets a little dry at...more
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Donna
Donna rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/18/08

Read in December, 2007
recommended to Donna by: Book Club
recommends it for: anyone
Amish Grace raises very important points about the power of forgiveness for both the victim and the perpetrator. The immediate forgiving response of the Nichol Mines community after the killing of several of their young girls was unimaginable and profound. I came away with a yearning for a stronger sense of community in America and a deep reflection about how I can make forgiveness a more natural part of my life. I also learned a great deal about the culture and customs of the Amish people.
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Veronica
Veronica rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
05/12/08

Read in May, 2008
recommended to Veronica by: Selected by book club
recommends it for: People with grudges!
A clear example of authors writing a book when an article would have been more than adequate. The topic is interesting: after a horrific shooting which results in the deaths of five Amish schoolgirls, the Amish community immediately forgives the killer (who is "English" and has shot himself). What follows is a disquisition on the Biblical and historical roots of Amish forgiveness. Like a I said, the entire book could have been summarized very nicely in 20 pages.
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Ruthie
Ruthie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
05/03/08

Read in May, 2008
i'm still reading this book. it has taught me a lot about amish daily life that i never knew before. for anyone who wants to know what the amish belive in their church then this is the right book to read. i'm realizing that i only know the amish on a friend and relative basis, but not about them spiritually. i also realize that this book only focuses on the amish in this one small area in pennsylvania, and so may be a little different from my family in indiana.
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Steve
Steve rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
02/17/08

Read in November, 2007
This is the book about the gunman who shot several Amish children in a one‐room Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. I found the first chapter very moving, and the book overall educational (discussions of Amish way of life, forgiveness vs. reconciliation, etc). Although the second and third sections of the book lost some steam for me, it was a pretty quick read and again, overall a moving incredible story.
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Jill
Jill rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
04/11/08

recommended to Jill by: Preston
recommends it for: anyone who needs a recap on forgiveness, like I did!
The Amish response after the Nickel Mine tragedy. The pure and simple principles of the Bible that they absolutely put into their daily lives, and not for the fanfare of any outsider, but because it is actually their geniune way of life. Many times heartbreaking, the authors are well versed and do an intelligent job of putting you into the Amish' very inspiring way of life.
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Bryan
Bryan rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
11/22/07

Read in November, 2007
This book is about how the Amish of Lancaster, PA reacted to the shooting of 5 school girls in October of 2006. The authors do not spend much time reliving the events of the day. Instead, this book explores the forgiveness that the Amish extended to the killer and his family. Reading this book makes you realize just how unforgiving our society is.
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Shoshanna
Shoshanna rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/28/08

Read in January, 2008
recommended to Shoshanna by: My pastor
A powerful look at Amish culture and the deep rooted history of forgiveness in their culture. This books covers the topic of forgiveness in an excellent way. Challenges you to look how you forgive others and your beliefs on forgiveness. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about forgiveness and Amish culture.
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BeckyKay
BeckyKay rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/26/08

bookshelves: alreadyread
Read in March, 2008
Absolutely fascinating. A very easy to follow and understand book about the Amish attitude towards forgiveness. The authors presented some wonderful explanations about how and why the Amish are able to forgive. Their attitude should serve as a challenge to all Christians in regards to how we forgive those who hurt us.
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Angela
Angela rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
02/28/08

bookshelves: non-fiction
Read in February, 2008
This was interesting, but a bit repetitive. Could easily have been condensed without losing meaning/information. (Of course, then it would be even shorter than it already is).

It made me think about forgiveness, which I had always just assumed I understood, without giving it much thought.
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Debbie
Debbie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/23/08

Read in March, 2008
President Faust said in a 15 minute conference talk what this book is trying to discover through research, interviews, and pyschological studies. I love the gospel! I loved the few times we visited the Amish while in Pennasylvania. If I couldn't be Mormon, I think I'd be Amish!
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Mary Jane
Mary Jane added it
05/04/08

Read in April, 2008
Thanks to my good son-in-law for bringing this book to my attention, I have pondered and wondered over the enormity of forgiveness as shown by the Amish. Could I have the grace of forgiveness in tragedy? This book will still be haunting me long after I have put it on the shelf.
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Jen
Jen rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
04/27/08

Read in April, 2008
Thought this book was OK...not at all like The Happening, as this book dealt more with the psychological aspect of the Amish reaction after the tragedy. Good book if you're interested in learning more about the Amish culture, but was a little repetitive.
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Cindy
Cindy rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/22/08

Read in March, 2008
Bill Moyers recommended this book so I bought it. My feelings about the Amish changed throughout this book. At the end I came away feeling some admiration for the kind of lives they lead but know that it would not be the life for me.
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Victoria
Victoria rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
12/06/07

Read in January, 2008
seems well enough written for a team effort. it does have one of the best overviews of the Amish communities, their beliefs and the differences among the various communities, that I have found anywhere.
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Michele
Michele rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/17/08

Read in April, 2008
I really liked this book and I enjoyed thinking about what I thought of forgiveness. I thought the book offered lots of lessons to learn about forgiveness and the state of my heart.
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.66 (65 ratings)
number of reviews: 29






other editions