The Gentle People: An Inside View of Amish Life

by Joe Wittmer

I wrote this book with deepest respect and affection for my Amish heritage and have focused on the genuine virtues and values that best depict their slow-paced, horse and buggy way of life. I have highlighted the stress free lifestyle of the "gentle" Amish and have described their many soul soothing personal qualities along with their religious beliefs, ceremonies, child rearing practices and other aspects of their unique culture. In sum, this book is concerned with the customs and moral code of the Amish culture as written by those best qualified to do so--myself as a former Old Order Amish sect member along with Amish children and adults who are current participants in the Amish faith. The Amish are a unique, stress free, peace loving community of people living a slow-paced, patient, non violent lifestyle where force and retaliation are replaced by forgiveness and confession. Their daily life is void of the many stresses and strains so evident within the majority culture and research indicates that there is a low rate of depression among members. While society at large has suffered tremendous personal costs due to the discarding of many traditional, old fashioned, time proven values, the Amish embrace and live by such values seven days a week. Amish leaders continue to question the logic of more technology if it causes the destruction of so many important life qualities. They embrace a primitive technology while living amidst a world with an unbridled zest for progress. However, they continue to persevere, flourish and experience unprecedented growth. Joe Wittmer, Ph.D.

Genres: Amish, Nonfiction

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Richard Curry]

Very balanced view of Old Order Amish (horse buggy riding, non-electrified).
Author helped win US Supreme Court case exempting Amish from compulsory public school education through high school, so now many Amish parochial schools exist.
He explains the benefits and reasoning of their strict and simple lifestyle, and points out their farming and living methods are very ecological and environmentally friendly and healthy.

He also explains drawbacks such as persecution, accidents and intentional collisions and buggy wrecks caused by outsiders, and the small gene pool problem resulting in inbreeding with some resulting diseases and deformities. He also mentions escalating farm land prices making the traditional agrarian lifestyle less feasible, and adaptations to changing circumstances.
Very interesting book.
Made me recall a song by "Weird Al" called "Amish Paradise" which reviews many of the same points in a humorous song form. Perhaps the Amish would enjoy that song if they were allowed to watch music videos. (The Amish are shown to have a sense of humor by this book author).

[Lgordo]

A very high-level intro to Amish life accompanied by old photos. I'd say this book is somewhat dated; the info on the Amish is none too detailed, very rosy, and decidedly non-critical and occasionally difficult to follow. The photos are old and fuzzy, occasionally on purpose.

[Marie]

Interesting and informative. I especially liked the articles by the Amish themselves. I think that being raised Amish himself gives the author insight that an outsider would not have.

[Nicko]

This is a highly reverent portrayal of Amish life. I've long held a fascination with the Amish and Mennonite communities after reading Sowell's - "Etnic America", and this was very informative. The rhythms of the seasons, the simplicity of the people, the calm voices, unfussy clothing, closeness to nature, stately pace of life, and the emphasis on neighbors, family, community and continuity were beautiful.

I found it extremely interesting, the similarities between the Amish and Orthodox Jews; both in the style of dress and communal life.

[Unabridged_Michelle]

I think it gave a fair insight into the Amish culture. Written from an ex-member yet without the usual ex-member jaded views. It was good to read about the background of the culture since we have many around here where I live. I can appreciate the slower, gentler lifestyle they live, but it's unfortunate that they do this because they believe they must fulfill it as a requirement of "works." I wish their faith was found in God's grace alone.

[Kay]

The most enjoyable part of this book was the illustrations. I thought they captured the real Amish, from the joyful smiles of children to the amish womens solem devotional face bowed in prayer. They're life is simple yet busy, they are free of the usual stresses that plauge the worldly person. Gentle, hardworking, and closeknit, their society is truely unique in a modern changing world.

[Cindy]

Parts of the book repeat itself. However, many letters from Amish writers.
Well worth the read.

[Maryanna]

Contains excerpts from many Amish periodicals to support the authors views.

[Tom Marshall]

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