An Amish Patchwork: Indiana's Old Orders in the Modern World

by Thomas J. Meyers, Steven M. Nolt

Indiana is home to the world's third-largest Amish population. Indiana's 19 Old Order Amish and two Old Order Mennonite communities show a surprising diversity despite all that unites them as a distinct culture. This contemporary portrait of Indiana's Amish is the first book-length overview of Amish in the state. Thomas J. Meyers and Steven M. Nolt present an overview of the beliefs and values of the Amish, their migration history, and the differences between the state's two major Amish ethnic groups (Pennsylvania Dutch and Swiss). They also talk about Indiana's Old Order Mennonites, a group too often confused with the Amish. Meyers and Nolt situate the Amish in their Indiana context, noting an involvement with Indiana's industrial economy that may surprise some. They also treat Amish interaction with state government over private schooling and other matters, and the relationship of the Amish to their neighbors and the tourist industry. This valuable introduction to the Indiana Amish deserves a place on every Hoosier's bookshelf.

Genres: Religion

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2004

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info on the daily life of the Amish.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a very in-depth look at the Amish, but good for how the Amish in Indiana live and interact.

[Max Carmichael · Rating 2 out of 5]

A statistical survey with a thin veneer of narrative. In-depth profiles of families or communities could've brought this to life.