What is it really like to live with the Amish? – Book review

Several years ago I went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and spent time visiting Amish country. It was amazing and such an interesting way of life considering our modern age. It was like a scene from the old west where everything was perfect, quaint, well cared for and people were on their best behavior. It wasn’t like normal everyday life in America, there was something unique, interesting, intriguing and almost magical about it all. What would it be like to live that way?

In many ways it would be like living in the past, in a different era, in a time when our ancestors lived, worked and managed their farms. Have you ever wondered what it would be like? Maybe you’ve wondered, but you don’t really want to go live there for a year to find out. Yes I get it, it would be hard to give up your iPhone, computer, internet and go to work the land and live the simple life. So chances are you never will, most people won’t, and yes, some do and write about it later.

If you want to know what it’s like to live with the Amish, in the country, almost like you’re living through a scene from a Hollywood western movie back in the day, and there’s a very good book I have that I’d like to recommend to you. The name of the book is;

“Amish Country”, by Ruth Hoover Seitz and photographer Blair Seitz, Crescent Books – Random House, Avenel, NJ, 1995, 100 pages, ISBN: 0-517-62365-X.

In this book, you’ll see images of country houses, horse-drawn buggies, and how children are raised “living without exposure to influences that would confuse or contradict their beliefs,” and how they work the land, acknowledge their religion, and how they manage without a television, radio, VCR, computer, smartphone, or any of the other things we consider a normal part of everyday life. Imagine not having a microwave, a modern refrigerator, or even a car?

In fact, I was so fascinated by the book, the pictures, the simplicity, and the hard work ethic. If you want to learn more about living with the Amish in the country, learn about their lifestyle, and more, you should probably buy this book and keep it on your shelf. I think you will be impressed and learn a lot about the Amish people. Please consider all this and think about it.