Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish

I bought this book because it was mentioned in another book I was reading. I have always had an interest in the Amish from an anthropological point of view and this was not a disappointment at all. Sue Bender runs across antique Amish quilts and is fascinated by their unique simple designs and bold colors. For years she has her contacts on the look out for more examples of this beautiful "art" that is so functional. Then she discovers the "faceless" dolls that Amish mothers make for their daughters. The dolls have no facial features because the Amish proscribe to the "no graven image" commandment very strictly. She was delighted with the doll sent to her by an Amish woman with whom she started a correspondence. She then decided she wanted to live among the Amish for a time. She was told they would not take her in; however, a small ad in an Amish paper elicited a response from a family willing to have her live with them for a time. So her journey began. Her impressions did not always fit with her romantic illusions of the "simple" life and she learned much. After several weeks, she goes home to digest what she has learned. Then, she decides to go back and try the experiment again with a different (very different) family. She learns even more. All stereotypes are mostly shattered as she lives with a midwife, her large family and her chiropractor sister and she leaves much richer (emotionally) than when she arrived.I enjoyed this volume very much. It had an excellent layout and is a fast read. The impressions are honest and introspective and Ms. Bender is kind enough to wrap the most important lessons learned into a nine-patch quilt for us at the end. There are many fine ideas we can take with us at the conclusion of the story not the least of which is how much we have in common with the Amish as opposed to how different we are. It's a book I will return to again and again for insight.

Interesting story of a person living w the Amish. Very informative, a good warm read.

This is a lovely little book. It is filled with contemplations on the importance of simplicity and balance in one's life.A busy woman who has focused her life on success becomes enamored of Amish quilts. Her admiration is so great that she takes time out from her life to go and live with the Amish. There, she reflects on her own values and comes to realize that the act of doing is as important as the outcome. She also realizes that being a part of something, rather than standing out from others, is a more cooperative and giving way to live.How the author juxtaposes the meaning of things with the sentiment reflected in the quilts is very lovely and meaningful.I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever had questions about what is important in life and their own core values.

I found this book in the library of the "Chaplain's Cottage" at a New England summer Church Camp. What a joy to find it at Amazon.com . I have purchased several used copies all in great shape and promptly shipped.What a gem! Very short and very deep.Anyone wanting to know more about why and how materialism has become our major god will benefit from this mind changing book.Sue Bender is intrigued by simple art in the form of Amish Quilts and faceless Amish Rag Dolls. She seeks to know more about why such simplicity has touched her soul.Her live-in visits with Amish families and her introspective commentary are like a visit to your great grand parents age but with healing depth totally unsuspected.

I loved this little book. I have always been interested in the Amish way of life, and to think that Sue Bender actually lived among the Amish is wonderful. I learned so much from this book about the Amish ways. I will be reading this book again as I feel that reading a book for the second time you notice things that you didn't catch the first time around. This little book is a keeper !

This is a very disapointing book. The author makes the complexe Amish community that forgave the muders of their young daughters at Nickle Mine school into one diminsional Disney characters. There is no tension, conflict or any of the human conditions that make people real, just a oh so sweet group of simple people.Of course that does not allow us to learn anything from the Amish and I am sure there is a lot to be learn from them. The author is very self absorbed when she tries to draw any lessons from her time with the Amish. There were spots where I though "O please get over yourself". I didn't finish the book, it was a waste of time.

We discussed this book at my book club. Maybe there could have been a bit less about the author, more about the Amish. We have a fairly large Amish population in our area, and everyone is interested in their lifestyle. We see their horses and buggies at the grocery, and I know they buy lots of deer tags to supplement their meat supply. Fascinating people in this fast-paced age.

Caused me to rethink the clutter in my life.

別の書評で中古で購入した。書いてある内容は他の人に近いが写真が全くない。これは、アーミッシュの暮らしからとれなかったのかもしれないが、どうしても視覚情報がないと何がどうなのかイメージできない。アーミッシュを知らない方は他で勉強されることをおすすめします。

宗教関係の本でアーミッシュを知り　本書が紹介されていたので読む機会となった。それまで　アーミッシュというライフスタイルのことは全く知らなかった。　僕は宗教に距離を置くことが大事だと思っている。余りに多くの問題が　２１世紀になっても　宗教から発生していることは　良く考えてみると凄い話だ。高学歴のイスラム教徒が自爆テロを行うという事実は　無宗教である僕にはほとんど理解出来ない。宗教は人類最大の麻薬だという人もいるが　正直頷けるものもある。　そんな中で　本書で紹介されるアーミッシュの生活は　全く違った静謐に満ちた姿だ。こういう宗教もあるのかと感銘を受けた。　アーミッシュも尖鋭的な宗教だ。現代において電気を使わず　電話も持たないというライフスタイルは　どう見ても　相当過激である。「過激」というと　一緒の騒がしさを感じるかもしれないが　アーミッシュの「過激さ」は静かなものだ。　正直　そういう質素な生活に憧れる気持ちは覚えるが　それを自分がやれるかというと　ほとんど不可能であることも感じる。僕自身が　すでに　現代の日本という「与えられた前提」に　どうしょうもなく縛られているからだ。　但し　そのような「縄」を自分の体に感じることが出来る点で　本書を読む価値があるのだと思う。　僕らを「縛っている」ものは実はたくさんあるのだ。普段それに気が付かず　そういうものだと思っている。それだけに　本書のような　全く異質の社会を見聞きすることが本当に貴重なのである。

文明の進歩・発展とともに、人類はさまざまな恩恵を受ける一方、また、多くのものを失っている。得たものは、便利さ、スピード、苦痛や肉体労働からの解放、おびただしい情報、過剰な刺激、などだ。一方、失ったものは、静けさ、おいしい空気と水、温かい家庭、人々が集う喜び、労働の充実感、安心して食べられる食物、宇宙の神秘、魂の清純さ・・・大学院を出た教養ある一人の芸術家、スー･･･生き方にも仕事にも行き詰まりを感じていた･･･が、およそ文明とは程遠い３００年前のヨーロッパの生活を続けているアーミッシュに出会い、惹かれていく。なぜ惹かれるのか、最初は理由がわからないが、しかし、思い切ってアーミッシュの家庭・生活に飛び込んでみた。そして、徐々に、自分の生活から見失っていたもの･･･なぜこんなに大事なことを忘れていたのか･･･を再発見する。アメリカ的価値観でがんじからめに縛られていたスーは、アーミッシュと出会い、それまで自分が日々経験していた混乱と錯綜から抜け出す道を見つけた。最先端を歩いていると思っていた自分こそ実は問題だらけであり、文明から見捨てられたようなシンプルな生活をしているアーミッシュが、じつは、なにが大切かをしっかりと知っている。再び、文明のニューヨークに戻ったスーは、今度はしっかり自分を取り戻す･･･自分の人生と、本当の仕事と、温かい家庭と、ほんものの友情を･･･シンプル・ライフが大流行ですが、これをファッションで済ますのは馬鹿げています。見習うものがあるとすれば、それはアーミッシュの生き方、価値観であり、料理やキルトではありません･･･両方とも素晴らしいものですが。アーミッシュやメノナイト、クエーカーの生き方をもう一度見つめなおしてみたいと思いました。

Ordered through curiosity, and what a treat, a short book that can be read over and over, gentle yet probing on a society that is still very much a mystery. More of a joy because I thought it was about quilts, though quilts are discussed, it is not the main topic, it's full of so much more. I cannot say a bad word about this book, even my husband read it! There are many lessons to learn from this book, live in the moment is the main lesson I have taken from this special book. This is a very personal view, and I was once told by a wise teacher many years ago; "When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear" This is how I feel about this book.

This book is a great read. You can put it up and down when you need to and its not difficult to pick up from where you left.Overall the story of her journey reminds you of how chaotic our lives are today, and how its ok to step back and reconsider the route we take with them. This book is good for the soul and leaves you with a positive feeling, about change.I will be adding it to the books which stay on my bookcase,and not those that get sent off to the charity shop.