My Amish Childhood

by Jerry S. Eicher

Bestselling fiction author Jerry S. Eicher (nearly half a million books sold) turns his pen to a moving memoir of his life growing up Amish.

Jerry's mother was nineteen years old and nine months married when he was born. She had received Grandfather Stoll's permission for the wedding because she agreed to help out on the farm the following year. However, with Jerry on the way, those plans failed.

Jerry recounts his first two years of school in the Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario and his parents' decision to move to Honduras. Life in that beautiful Central American country is seen through an Amish boy's eyes--and then the dark days when the community failed and the family returned to America, much to young Jerry's regret. Jerry also tells of his struggle as a stutterer and his eventual conversion to Christ and the reasons for his departure from the childhood faith he knew.

Here is a must-read for not just Jerry's fiction fans, but also for readers curious about Amish life.

Genres: Amish, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Christian, Biography Memoir, Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina Eicher, and their four children in Virginia.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just OK.

[Lisa G · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for Amish novels, but this one left me wishing for the end well before it arrived. The backstory is fascinating: planting an Amish mission in Honduras and the external and internal conflicts it sparked. For example, if a church wants to reach out to the community, do they continue to hold services in a language that the community cannot speak? Otherwise, the story moved in several directions and that was distracting. Some key events arrived with little explanation while some smaller events got extended attention. I was honestly surprised at the end to learn that the author is a well-published writer.

[Cory St. Esprit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish it - just something about his writing style. I found it very very boring. I think I was looking for something more deep and profound. This was not that.

[Sarah Lessig · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn’t really like his writing style, stories didn’t seem to go together or follow any order, and honestly most of the stories seemed more related to them being rich white people in a poor latin country rather than them being amish

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so pleasantly surprising for me…WOW! I’m honestly shocked because this is the first time I have ever made it through an autobiography! Not only did I make it through but I enjoyed it! This was also the first book that I have read by the author.

My mother has been bugging me for quite some time to pick up his books and I had been meaning to but I will admit that I was scared. It seems that male authors sometimes leave me feeling as if something is missing that connects with me as a woman. Not all male authors mind you—but it was still enough to scare me for a short time.

I should have put away my fears because I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was humorous at times, brutally honest and also touching. I’m giving 5 stars to this book and wish I could give an additional star for being the first autobiography that was written in a way that appealed to me.

This book is an autobiography of Amish writer, Jerry Eicher whom, as we find out in the book—grew up Amish! He was honest about his awkwardness and even about his mischievousness as a child which I found to be refreshing as I often think of Amish children having the idyllic life we read about in Amish fiction. In the grand scheme of things—Jerry had quite a bit of issues to overcome; an issue with stuttering and bouts of depression.

We also got an inside view of a new Amish community in a third world country and the struggles that they faced. I was really rooting for the community to succeed and was a little disappointed to find out that it had failed. It was on that note that the autobiography was wrapped up. I would really like to see how things unfold in the later years. I am assuming that he eventually left the Amish faith—I want to know these things! I guess I’m greedy and want more information as I really found the author’s life to be very intriguing. This book definitely gets two thumbs up for me for both wit and for the insightful spirituality. I have to say that Eicher’s account of his salvation is possibly one of the sweetest, honest and simplistic explanations that I have ever heard—and it was touching. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
View all my reviews

I received this book free from the Author and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

[Gayle Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW-

This book is an autobiography of the author, Jerry Eicher. He writes Amish books as he grew up Amish. I don't read too many autobiographies, I just can't get into them. This one I started reading because I'm a big fan of Mr. Eicher. I was not disappointed. I simply loved the book. It gave way for quite a few emotions. The author was so honest about how awkward and naughty he was as a young boy. He had a problem with stuttering and he had some depression. You don't normally think of Amish children as being naughty but it was a pleasant surprise to find that Amish children are just like any other children. They get into mischief. The main part of the book that fascinated me the most was the Amish community in the Honduras. They faced so much struggle. I felt sad that the community failed. It's such a shame because they tried so hard. Mr. Eicher travelled a lot as a child. He was born in Canada and then went to a strange land with a new language, new land and life in the rural Honduras. Eventually they went back to North America. He definitely lived an adventurous life. It makes you admire those who choose a simple life. The author also goes into why he eventually chose to leave the Amish religion. This is a wonderful book of the life of Jerry S. Eicher as an Amish boy growing up in the simple life. I would want everyone to read this book. I can't say enough good about it. It's not your typical Amish book. Pick up a copy and see what I mean. If you love Amish then you will love this autobiography of Jerry S. Eicher. Thank you Mr. Eicher for all the wonderful books you give us to read.

I would give this book a SOLID 5 STARS. (More if I could)

I received a complimentary copy of MY AMISH CHILDHOOD from the author, Jerry S. Eicher for this unbiased review.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me great insight into many of Jerry Eicher's books, why his characters felt or acted in a certain way, it had to do with how his life was lived and his experiences. It was interesting to learn that this man who writes such great novels with words that are extremely descriptive used few words in his life. He suffers from a stuttering problem and chose to not speak rather than have people make fun of him. He also was an angry child due to the speech impediment that caused people to make fun of him or who would not wait for him to try to speak. To learn that he was caught on very few occasions while doing mean and angry things to get back at those who made fun of him, in a peace loving Amish community, is quite amazing. That he grew up in Honduras where the rules of his Amish church there were less strict than in the states gave me insight into why his Amish books vary from some of my other favorite authors. I remember the first Eicher book I read I was complaining to my husband how different the characters dressed and acted in his novel, now I know why, it was how he was raised in another country with different rules. I truly loved this book learning how his father rigged up lights in their yard to ward of thieves. I never knew that neighbors and friends of a different culture would steal from you without feeling any guilt at all. This is how life was in Honduras for Jerry Eicher. If you want to learn what it is like to live as a white Amish community member in a third world country, from first-hand experience, give this book a read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spell Binding Read!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started to read this book. Wow, what a ride it was. The author described his life growing up in rural Honduras with such in sight that I could actually see the beauty and the ruggedness of the country. He spun an awesome story of what life was like in a poor country.

The excitement of every day living was apparent. Parts of his story held me spellbound in terror of some of the goings on in this poor country. The locals took matters in their own hands. If they wanted something that belonged to you, it didn’t matter, they took it. A lot of thieving went on.

There are parts in this book that had me laughing out loud as I could appreciate the antics of the author as a young boy. He must have given his Mamm many nights of grief! There are also parts of this story that had me feeling sympathy for the quiet boy with the stuttering problem and the shame he felt.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was touched by his sharing of his conversion to Christ. I could feel for him with his guilt over his past sins and the tears that freely flowed. It is something all of us being followers of Christ has felt and gone through.

I for one enjoyed growing up Amish with Jerry and I hope all those who read this review will buy this book and enjoy it too!

I received this book from Harvest House Publishers and the author, Jerry Eicher in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading Jerry Eicher's Amish "stories" for quite some time. I always enjoy the way that he tells a story with hope and promise. I was totally enthralled to read his life story. While I knew he had Amish roots it was wonderful to actually get a glimpse at his childhood. I thought that it was interesting that he actually grew up in Honduras, not a place I readily think about in conjunction with the Amish. I enjoyed meeting his family, and while his wasn't probably the typical Amish upbringing, it made me realize that "Amish" are as varied and as different as anyone else. Overall, I felt like I met many of Mr. Eicher's family while reading this one, this book is certainly a keeper. I would recommend it to fans of Mr. Eicher, but also to anyone wishing to glimpse one man's story of "Amish" living. Recommended!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected but this book was not it. This did not seem like an Amish story. It was just a not too interesting story that I hope would get better but never did. I don't recommend this book.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow read for me, it jumps all over the place but all in all I enjoyed his story.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting but seemed to bounce around between topics a lot

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't what I was expecting. It was interesting at times but also dragged.

[Larissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I abandoned this book.

[Wanda Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't seem to get into the book

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jerry Eicher grew up in the unusual Old Order Amish community at Aylmer, Ontario. Unusual because it is a publishing center for the Old Order Amish community, and until recently the location of the largest Old Order Amish historical library in the world. This book is a memoir of a subset of Old Order Amish that attempted to start a new colony in Honduras, and fairly quickly transformed into what is better known as a New Order Amish community because of its emphasis on being "born again," and its efforts to do some measure of outreach to the indigenous community.

Eicher is a good writer, who ultimately left the Amish faith. He writes with humor and empathy. However if you're looking for a "typical" Amish story of growing up, this is not it because of the unusual settings in which he lived as a child.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. It was well written. It was an interesting topic. I never knew the Amish tried to create a community in central America. They thought they could expand. It was really interesting to read how in a location with such poverty the Amish were considered rich and therefore people wanted to join their church. So yes, they did get new members but it almost made the Amish lose their direction. They were used to being left alone to their beliefs because no one of the outsiders wanted to join. With the addition of these outsiders the community felt it was losings its way. They were making changes to language to include spanish and remove some German. It was definitely an interesting read.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jerry had an issue with stuttering and bouts of depression and chose not speak much rather than have people make fun of him. He was also awkward and naughty as a young boy. I loved the stories of his mischief, his adventures and his antics. The main part of the book was the Amish community in the Honduras. Amish families moved there because in Canada, the rules of his Amish church were too strict. They waned a more liberal lifestyle. His father ran a machine shop using an old Ford diesel engine for electricity. However, the locals took matters in their own hands. A lot of thieving went on that made life difficult. After eight years, they decided to move back to the states.

[Jolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Amish Childhood by Jerry S. Eicher is a true story about the author’s life in Honduras in an Amish settlement for eight years.
His Grandfather Stoll had a passion for mission outreach and had a hand in founding an Amish settlement on foreign soil. He tells many interesting stories about life in this Spanish-speaking country. How Amish services were preached not only in German but also in Spanish. How the ordnung was changed to accommodate the natives. I enjoyed this interesting true story and recommend to others who enjoy nonfiction stories about the Amish.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to jump around often, which made it difficult to follow at times. There were certainly some interesting parts, but some parts left me a bit bored, as well.

The book has a few photos, which were helpful, but I wish it had more.

Overall, the book was just okay for me.

[Pug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected from a book about an Amish childhood... his small Amish community moved to Honduras and lived there for five years, and then moved back... it was just as boring as you think it would be.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not terribly riveting. Interesting, I guess.

[Connie Hardesty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good 👍 book

[Megan Macrae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found finding out about this settlement was quite interesting and so wasn’t his childhood.

[Phillip Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing Is a bit rambling here and there but over all this is an interesting and well written account of the escapades of my distant Stoll relatives.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the author’s fiction books but didn’t really enjoy this one.

[Aubbi Flatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

hated this fr

[Dennis Raffaelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does anyone know if the author overcame his speech impediment?
ed?

[Sue Lies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but slow moving.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book jumps quite a bit. Very hard to follow. It is too bad as the content is interesting.