Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World Paperback – Illustrated, September 1, 2009

This is a wonderful book. It is divided into 5 parts and within each section are smaller “chapters” with reflection questions at the end of each. These reflection questions ask a person to consider how they may be applying a concept (like forgiveness or frugality) in their own life as the Amish do. I found myself “being in the present” as Fisher suggests the Amish do, something difficult during the holiday season when being pulled in multiple directions. This is a book that I will refer back to time as again not so much for the Amish “facts” (which are plentiful and interesting) but more for the discussion of the culture and and very foundations of what being “Amish” means- and how I may incorporate “plainness” and simplicity into my crazy life!

It's not often I want to thank an author for writing a book, but I thank Ms. Fisher for writing Amish Peace.Really. I've only begun reading the book, starting with the Epilogue, and was so blessed - it absolutely ministered to me as I am learning to take my "sticky fingers" off the things only God can do, and turn away from "my kingdom" so His Kingdom can come.Then I read the chapter on special children and know that one of the women I bought a copy of the book for, who struggles with having a severely handicapped child, will be touched and blessed and helped when she reads it. It's hard to wait until Christmas to give it to her.I love the font...the pictures on the covers...mostly I enjoy hearing the authors "voice". Reading the book is like sitting down and having a good chat with her...it's encouraging and upliftingI highly recommend this book. I find myself wanting to savor it and make it last. The Amish Proverbs that begin each chapter are finding themselves sprinkled throughout my thoughts and words each day, and it's a refreshing perspective.

I started out loving this book, getting some good ideas and food for thought from the Amish culture. The questions at the end of each chapter were thought-provoking. Some of the information , though, was repeated several times, such as how church services are held. She never did explain why men and women are separated in church, something I wondered.Then it all changed. I noticed more and more stories about death , particularly of Amish children. Yes, death is a part of life and the message of most of the death stories was of forgiveness, I took from the death stories something quite different. Yes, I got the forgiveness part of it, but I also came to the conclusion that many of the accidents and deaths of the children were due to lack of supervision and in my opinion could have been prevented. Somewhere in the book the author does say that the children do have the run of the farm unsupervised. I think this is tragic.So for me, this book went from being uplifting to downright depressing. I wasn't feeling the peace.

Beautifully written.This book reminds us of the importance of family, belief in God, hard work and living as a community without reliance on the government for handouts.The fact that the Amish have been able to sustain this lifestyle for so many years in spite of the fact that they are surrounded by modern life, makes you pause to think about how you as an individual - immersed in a life of technology and "busyness" - can consciously pull aside and make an effort to live your life in a way to bring peace to your home.Images of simpler times when children actually play outside and use their imaginations, neighbors care for neighbors, taking a Sabbath to worship God, and the picture of intact families where each member, father, mother, children, grandparent, plays a significant role in the cohesive home.

As much as I enjoyed this book I was also disappointed. The Amish are mere human beings with the same emotions of any other individual. They are not perfect, but they strive to be decent, loving, selfless giving human beings. As a Christian I strive for the same things as the Amish. We set them apart because they have chosen to set themselves a part. At the end of each chapter I felt the questions asked insinuated that only the Amish had the secret to a peaceful life. They may live a simpler life but no less complicated by the lack of modern technology. Although they find ways around the use of electricity and such, they can still have all the conveniences of any modern home depending the order they are from. I felt this book and many like it painted a perfect picture of families where love conquers all. No life is that simple. I preferred "Plain Secrets" because of the more realist complexity of Amish life.

Like many I have always been fascinated with the Amish lifestyle. It seems full of family time, hard work and devotion to God. It also seems like a dreamy destination to escape our hectic high tech world.This is a book of wisdom on how and why the Amish do what they do. It is a practical guide for the modern day life. We don't have to give up the benefits of technology to live a better balanced life. Don't just read and be amazed by the simple wisdom...let it change the way you live life...a little less stressed, more balanced and full of joy.

Best book I have read about the Amish that really gets to the roots of who they are and how God has infused their community with His values. Made me wish that I had been born into their midst.The author treated them with great respect but I suspect that the shortcomings may have been downplayed somewhat for no matter how blessed our training the nature of man is still sinful and brings with it the accompanying problems.The Amish have much to teach us and I appreciated the questions and reflections at the end of each chapter that strove to help us think of how we could able Amish values to our lives.

As another reviwer wrote: "It made me look at how i live my life and how i could make little changes to a more peaceful life."I bought the book for my iwfe as a birthday present after we had re-watched Harrison Ford in Witness (great film, by the way an available on Amazon). She loved it and then bought three copies for her firneds! The book has great vignettes about Amish life which really make you think about how life could be a bit more peaceful and simple. I personally would find the Amish lifestyle restrivtive, but we could all benefit form better values and less hurry in our own life, even if we keep electricity and alcohol.A highly recommended book: well researched and well written, with a great lvoe for the Amish people.

Loved this, an insight into a completely different way of life - perhaps one that we secretly yearn for, with modifications of course. Being modern and of this world; I don't think that I could submit to being told that my dress and hair would be exactly the same as that of every other woman. The Amish certainly seem to have found peace though by their faith and their simple life, and their old have no need to fear abandonment - unlike some in our world

I'm still working my way through this book but it has already challenged and influenced my life. For me, as indeed the writer says, it's not about me becoming Amish but about maybe adopting some of the principles - in small steps -to achieve a less stressful way of life; after all, there are some habits I just get caught up in, like picking up my laptop and wandering around the web aimlessly when I have 10mins to spare, when in reality I could do something much more calming and constructive. The Amish sense of community and how they care for one another is also challenging. Anyway, I won't go on any more - read it for yourself - slowly! It's not a book to be hurried through.

The theme of peace is reflected in the simplicity of the style. The message that God is with us in our joys and sorrows runs through the book and the idea that deliberately avoiding temptation in our choice of lifestyle goes a long way in helping us to resist it.

A lovely book. The author tells about the different Amish families she has met and their stories. Also we learn about the wonderful and sensible values of the 'plain' people - there's so much we can learn from them.