An Actual Report of a Book – A History of the Amish

A History of the Amish, By: Steven M. Nolt
History, religion 285 pages 10th grade reading level copyright 1992

First, this book was published in Intercourse, PA (near Blue Ball). That has nothing to do with the book, but we just find it funny that for some reason cities in Amish country tend to have names that make one think about sex. Maybe that’s why in this last century the Amish have tended to move into Michigan. For all we know there is a large group of them outside of Climax (Although, we have never seen the Amish anywhere near I-75’s exit 69 [Big Beaver Road.])(And, yes for people outside of MI that didn’t know about exit 69, we are NOT making that up; it’s the exit for a road really called Big Beaver. [We are almost certain that it was named after the rodent and not the slang.])

Anyway, this book was exactly what the title states. Although it also includes info on the Mennonite’s (Which the author seams to be from his bio.) It starts with the Anabaptist movement and ends in the 1990’s. And it included most anything that you ever wanted to know about the Amish. (It doesn’t talk about that thing where the teens get to go out in the world for 2 years before deciding if they want to be Amish.) Why do they not wear buttons? Because they are thought to be fancy and vain. (Although, more liberal groups may allow them.) Are they all farmers? No, many own there own businesses or work for others. (Although, if they work for non-Amish companies they get screwed on social security tax. As the Amish don’t collect benefits [it’s against their religion] so they don’t have to pay if they are farmers, own their own business or work for other Amish people.) Anyway, if you want to know about the Amish, this is a good book to use.