#3 Growing Up Amish by Richard A. Stevick

I picked this book up out of curiosity for the Amish lifestyle, vaguely as research. I expected a dry, academic read, and well, I wasn't disappointed. However, the author's tone is that of an interested bystander presenting fascinating anecdotes and examples of a day in the life. Most points are well-supported, although there's a tendency to emphasize extreme examples. The biggest thing I took from this book is the fact that, just like any other society, the life of the Amish as a whole is v...more I picked this book up out of curiosity for the Amish lifestyle, vaguely as research. I expected a dry, academic read, and well, I wasn't disappointed. However, the author's tone is that of an interested bystander presenting fascinating anecdotes and examples of a day in the life. Most points are well-supported, although there's a tendency to emphasize extreme examples. The biggest thing I took from this book is the fact that, just like any other society, the life of the Amish as a whole is varied and non-definitive. A good source of insight into an American culture off the mainstream.