"The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World" Explores the Daunting Price of Amish Life

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“The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World" Book Jacket

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (10/28/2010)(readMedia)-- Donald Kraybill, Steven Nolt and David Weaver-Zercher explore the cost of Amish life in the newly released book, "The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World." "The Amish Way" is a follow-up to the bestselling "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy," the story of the Amish community's response to the tragic Amish schoolhouse shootings in Nickel Mines, Pa., in October 2006. Both books are published by Jossey Bass. Learn more from this video.

"The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World" interprets the distinctive practices of Amish spirituality in their cultural context and explores their relevance for the wider world. The authors show how Amish faith is intertwined with community, commitment, child-rearing, home life, material possessions, evil and sorrow, and ask the probing question, "Is there anything the Amish can teach the rest of us about living meaningfully in the modern world?" "The Amish Way" holds appeal for anyone who wants to learn more about the spiritual and religious impulse that energizes the Amish way of life.

In their treatise, the authors make the case that the daunting price of being Amish may be the most important lesson the Amish have to teach outsiders in search of spiritual guidance. "It's hard to imagine a contemporary religious community that requires more of its members than the Amish," pen the "The Amish Way" authors in their recent opinion-editorial, which was published in The Washington Post's online forum, "On Faith." "The willingness to submit one's personal desires to the authority of the church; the willingness to sit through three-hour church services; the willingness to pray before and after every meal; the willingness to forgo conveniences because the church has decided they're spiritually dangerous -- these are just a few of the costs that are part and parcel of being Amish."

The authors of "The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World" include: Donald B. Kraybill, Ph.D., senior fellow at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies of Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pa.; Steven M. Nolt, Ph.D., professor of history at Goshen College in Goshen, Ind.; and David L. Weaver-Zercher, Ph.D., professor of American religious history at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. Together, they are the co-authors of the bestselling book "Amish Grace," which served as the basis for the most-viewed Lifetime movie of all time.

Comments about "The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World"

"'The Amish Way' is enlightening, practical and well-researched. A wonderful read!" -- Beverly Lewis, New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction

"With detailed personal anecdotes and explanations straight from the Amish themselves, 'The Amish Way' illustrates the simplicity and grace with which the Amish live their lives, and proves that those of us who have our own questions with faith might well learn from their example." -- Jodi Picoult, author of "Plain Truth and House Rules"

"'The Amish Way' is a treasure -- educating as it enlightens, inspiring as it informs. The authors' vast access to Amish life and use of Amish voices makes 'The Amish Way' unparalleled in its authenticity and accuracy. A joy to read." -- Erik Wesner, author, Amish America blog, and "Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive"

Elizabethtown College, in southeastern Pennsylvania, is a private coeducational college with degrees in liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education. The hallmarks of an Elizabethtown education are academic rigor, high expectations and intellectual curiosity. Our faculty members are teacher-scholars, pursuing their academic areas of expertise while sharing that expertise with students. More information is available at www.etown.edu.

Jossey-Bass publishes books, periodicals, and other media to inform and inspire those interested in developing themselves, their organizations and their communities. Jossey-Bass' publications feature the work of some of the world's best-known authors in leadership, business, education, religion and spirituality, parenting, nonprofit, public health and health administration, conflict resolution and relationships. In 1999, Jossey-Bass was acquired by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and is now an imprint of Wiley. For more information, visit www.josseybass.com.

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