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House Calls and Hitching Posts
From the Back Cover
A country-boy-turned-country-doctor goes on house calls among the Amish of eastern Ohio in this warm collection of true-life tales.
Alert to his patients' preferences to have their babies born close to home, and their illnesses and injuries treated in a home-like atmosphere, Dr. Elton Lehman also created a treatment and birthing center in the hills of Wayne County, Ohio.
From these years of medical technology meeting rural values come these unforgettable stories:
- Joe brings his dismembered fingers to the office in a coffee can filled with kerosene;
- Dozens of babies are born with Dr. Lehman's help; Katie's little boy is his first at-home birth;
- Three-year-old Davy rallies to overcome a life-threatening illness at birth, only to be crushed under a tractor wheel;
- Barb, the Amish leader's wife, joins Doc Lehman in an unusual partnership, setting aside a bedroom in her own home as an alternative "delivery" room.
Writer Hoover captures in sometimes local vernacular the joys and dilemmas of a family practitioner among a rural and predominantly-Amish community.
A country-boy-turned-country-doctor goes on house calls among the Amish of eastern Ohio in this warm collection of true-life tales.
Alert to his patients' preferences to have their babies born close to home, and their illnesses and injuries treated in a home-like atmosphere, Dr. Elton Lehman also created a treatment and birthing center in the hills of Wayne County, Ohio.
From these years of medical technology meeting rural values come these unforgettable stories:
- Joe brings his dismembered fingers to the office in a coffee can filled with kerosene;
- Dozens of babies are born with Dr. Lehman's help; Katie's little boy is his first at-home birth;
- Three-year-old Davy rallies to overcome a life-threatening illness at birth, only to be crushed under a tractor wheel;
- Barb, the Amish leader's wife, joins Doc Lehman in an unusual partnership, setting aside a bedroom in her own home as an alternative "delivery" room.
Writer Hoover captures in sometimes local vernacular the joys and dilemmas of a family practitioner among a rural and predominantly-Amish community.
358 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
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469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 19, 2018
Loved this book. It is local history about the Amish.
December 25, 2010
What a great compilation of the doctor's life! The author definitely knows how to put a story together. She had some great material - a combination of both serious and humorous adventures. This doctor certainly never had a dull moment in his life and those moments were wonderfully conveyed to the reader. What a great respect he has for the Amish people. He achieved great things and it seems he is not quite finished in his wonderous deeds. I would definitely recommend this book to others who want to read a non-fictional account of a doctor's administrations to a mostly Amish community. Some parts of the story really were touching and yet the author still managed to keep us laughing as well. Well done.
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May 31, 2012From the time he graduates from Osteopathic College, Dr.Elton Lehman is a gift to the Amish people of Wayne County, Ohio. He understands their lifestyle and needs in a way few individuals outside the close knit community could. This beautifully written collection of stories is touching and humorous from the earliest patient bringing his dismembered fingers in a container of Kerosene to the deeply moving story of the five Amish children killed by a hit and run driver while returning from a birthday party (which received nationwide coverage in 1993). I found myself rereading many parts to have a better grasp of who each character was as many reappear. You'll be left wanting to know them personally. A terrific read.”
cjhardy wrote this review Thursday, October 18, 2007. (
cjhardy wrote this review Thursday, October 18, 2007. (
February 25, 2013
Amazing book! Full of fascinating stories of God's providence in the lives of the primarily Amish community of Ohio this book tells the story of Doctor Lehman who dedicated is life to the service of others in the service of Christ. His compassion, flexibility, understanding, and willingness to do everything possible to meet the needs of his patients makes him a true example to all of us.
I give the book four stars because even though I loved it the writing is far from stellar and at times is so disjointed that the reader has a hard time following the timeline and relation of the different characters and events.
If you aren't squeamish, are interested in medicine, want to learn of the life of a unique country doctor, and love stories of God's Providence than this is a book for you.
I give the book four stars because even though I loved it the writing is far from stellar and at times is so disjointed that the reader has a hard time following the timeline and relation of the different characters and events.
If you aren't squeamish, are interested in medicine, want to learn of the life of a unique country doctor, and love stories of God's Providence than this is a book for you.
May 16, 2016
What an amazing book to read. It's a look into a life with a passion & calling. Of which this country doc does quite well. I totally enjoyed the author's clever way of making even the sad moments so vividly alive. Thank you to the good Dr. Elton Lehman & Dorcas Sharp Hoover for sharing this true life story!
August 23, 2009
a little bland and confusing at times
A good portion of the book is about Amish women having babies at Barb's house with Doctor Lehman present. Some good stuff. Started out interesting enough but over time, became superfluous.
A good portion of the book is about Amish women having babies at Barb's house with Doctor Lehman present. Some good stuff. Started out interesting enough but over time, became superfluous.
November 19, 2014
A look into Amish life through the eyes of a country Doctor. This guy lives minutes from my house.
August 18, 2016
Very interesting and heartwarming book. Enjoyed it very much since I live in Ohio and have been to the area he practiced in.
January 7, 2018
I thought I'd enjoy reading this book--I loved it!
I thought it would take forever to read--I went through it quickly.
Elton Lehman was the country doctor serving the Amish community.
The Amish preferred to stay away from hospitals unless it was com-
letely necessary. The Doc saw patients in his clinic & treated them
for any number of problems. He also travelled to farms at any hour
of the night and/or on weekends or holidays. He made himself
available to the people whenever and wherever he was needed.
He would transport patients in his car since there was no ambulance
service. Many times babies would be born in his car.
There was an Amish woman who removed the furniture from her
house & set it up with cots and cribs. Women would go to Barb's,
driven there by their husbands in horse and buggy. Doc would
then go there to deliver babies; it was more convenient because
he c0uld monitor several women under one roof in varying stages
of delivery.
Having the utmost respect for the Amish and their way of life, he
was greatly appreciated by his patients--admired, respected, and
trusted--they considered him a close friend.
Dr. Lehman was honored with the Country Doctor of the Year Award.
I thought it would take forever to read--I went through it quickly.
Elton Lehman was the country doctor serving the Amish community.
The Amish preferred to stay away from hospitals unless it was com-
letely necessary. The Doc saw patients in his clinic & treated them
for any number of problems. He also travelled to farms at any hour
of the night and/or on weekends or holidays. He made himself
available to the people whenever and wherever he was needed.
He would transport patients in his car since there was no ambulance
service. Many times babies would be born in his car.
There was an Amish woman who removed the furniture from her
house & set it up with cots and cribs. Women would go to Barb's,
driven there by their husbands in horse and buggy. Doc would
then go there to deliver babies; it was more convenient because
he c0uld monitor several women under one roof in varying stages
of delivery.
Having the utmost respect for the Amish and their way of life, he
was greatly appreciated by his patients--admired, respected, and
trusted--they considered him a close friend.
Dr. Lehman was honored with the Country Doctor of the Year Award.
March 3, 2018
Dr Lehman's care for his patients and his community shines through this biography. What an amazing life, being a valued helper in a small community, and also negotiating the cultural differences of the Amish community.
I confess to some confusion about the work scope of an 'osteopathic physician' compared to a medical physician, as Dr Lehman was doing surgery and delivering babies (osteopaths in Australia only do musculoskeletal manipulatios) - perhaps some American readers can enlighten me.
I confess to some confusion about the work scope of an 'osteopathic physician' compared to a medical physician, as Dr Lehman was doing surgery and delivering babies (osteopaths in Australia only do musculoskeletal manipulatios) - perhaps some American readers can enlighten me.
October 6, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. I kept thinking I wish I could find a doctor like Dr. Lehman. In today's world it's hard to find good doctors who really care about their patients like he did.
December 3, 2018
This is the true story of Dr Lehman and his work in an Amish community. He made house calls and is the doctor everyone wishes they had.
January 6, 2011
The writing of this book is hardly stellar; it is, in fact, awful. However, the life Dr. Elton Lehman has lived and the people he has served makes for very interesting reading.
Dr. Lehman chose to serve a community only a few miles from where he and his 11 siblings were raised because he firmly believed that his life was supposed to be a life of service to others and that God would lead him to the right place for him to work. Having been raised in a Mennonite area (though he was not a member of the Mennonite community), he had a better understanding of the ways of the Amish who lived in his new community. He conformed his practice to work within their beliefs when it would have been so much easier for him to force them to conform to 'regular' medical practices. He used his own money to make their lives easier and safer and helped convince both state and federal governments to allow the building of a birthing center which would serve the Amish in a way they could accept. This tremendously compassionate man can truly say he has made a difference in countless lives.
Dr. Lehman chose to serve a community only a few miles from where he and his 11 siblings were raised because he firmly believed that his life was supposed to be a life of service to others and that God would lead him to the right place for him to work. Having been raised in a Mennonite area (though he was not a member of the Mennonite community), he had a better understanding of the ways of the Amish who lived in his new community. He conformed his practice to work within their beliefs when it would have been so much easier for him to force them to conform to 'regular' medical practices. He used his own money to make their lives easier and safer and helped convince both state and federal governments to allow the building of a birthing center which would serve the Amish in a way they could accept. This tremendously compassionate man can truly say he has made a difference in countless lives.
June 17, 2017
As much as I appreciate what this Doctor did for his Amish community, I feel like this book is a bit pretentious. Doctors take an oath to serve the injured and hurt, the needs of the patient. And rare is it that we have Doctors these days that make house calls. Dr. Lehman did do that ... but not without the help of so many others to support him. They are but side notes around the "mighty" Dr. Lehman. This book is written in a "story a chapter" format but the writing is so redundant and elementary that it makes you long for the last page. One bright note, a poem that I had not heard before that has a wonderful sentiment:
"I am standing on the seashore.
A ship spreads her sails to the morning breeze
And it starts for the ocean.
I stand there watching her till she fades on the horizon
And someone at my side says, "She is gone."
Gone where?
The loss of sight is in me not in her.
Just at that moment when someone says, "She is gone,"
There are others who are watching her coming.
Other voices take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And this is dying."
"I am standing on the seashore.
A ship spreads her sails to the morning breeze
And it starts for the ocean.
I stand there watching her till she fades on the horizon
And someone at my side says, "She is gone."
Gone where?
The loss of sight is in me not in her.
Just at that moment when someone says, "She is gone,"
There are others who are watching her coming.
Other voices take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And this is dying."
July 1, 2008
The stories themselves are endearing and underscore that the "good old days" of American life where doors remained unlocked and professionals were accessible still exists if you choose to live that way.
There is a tremendous degree of redundancy, a pitfall of many contemporary non-fiction writers, where the author does not trust the reader to "get it" the first, fifth, or ninth time.
The written dialogue is awkward and forced at times. The author is trying to provide all necessary information through dialogue and, as a result, it can read like a children's book. This detracts from the text only if you are a hyper-critical reader. Otherwise it's easy to see past these misfires and take true enjoyment in the stories.
The content in this book is near-five starts. The writing style is two stars. I gave it three as a compromise.
There is a tremendous degree of redundancy, a pitfall of many contemporary non-fiction writers, where the author does not trust the reader to "get it" the first, fifth, or ninth time.
The written dialogue is awkward and forced at times. The author is trying to provide all necessary information through dialogue and, as a result, it can read like a children's book. This detracts from the text only if you are a hyper-critical reader. Otherwise it's easy to see past these misfires and take true enjoyment in the stories.
The content in this book is near-five starts. The writing style is two stars. I gave it three as a compromise.
December 19, 2010
I feel a little torn on my rating for this one. Although the stories are really interesting and the insights into Dr. Lehman's experiences are very colorful, I found I didn't care for the author's writing style. She emphasized religion very heavily in many places - to the point where they seemed to be preaching more than reflecting his beliefs. She also had an odd way of writing in which she began one story, devolved into another story, then returned to the first again; sometimes incorporating a new main character with no explanation of who they were or why they were mentioned. This led me to spend a lot of time flipping back and forth, trying to figure out if this person was introduced in the first part of the story, second part, or not at all.
That said, read this for the content - it is worthy.
That said, read this for the content - it is worthy.
February 2, 2015
Reviewing this book brings up an interesting point...is the reader's review to be based on the author's writing talents, or the overall bookreading enjoyment?
Dr. Lehman is an inspirational man, and his life of service among the Amish community provides many entertaining and insightful moments throughout the book. His story was one that was just begging for a book (not by himself, of course).
As mentioned by many of the reviewers here, the writing was at times repetitive...and often in the mention of an incident, the author would refer back to another story or two, so eventually I got lost amidst the decades.
That said, the author's enthusiasm and reverence for this great doctor (though at times a little over-the-top with the hero worship) has gotta count for something, right? I upped this from my original rating of 3, just for this.
Dr. Lehman is an inspirational man, and his life of service among the Amish community provides many entertaining and insightful moments throughout the book. His story was one that was just begging for a book (not by himself, of course).
As mentioned by many of the reviewers here, the writing was at times repetitive...and often in the mention of an incident, the author would refer back to another story or two, so eventually I got lost amidst the decades.
That said, the author's enthusiasm and reverence for this great doctor (though at times a little over-the-top with the hero worship) has gotta count for something, right? I upped this from my original rating of 3, just for this.
June 8, 2016
The book that could have been an American James Herriot....but completely wasn't. The overall structure and execution are fine, even good, with some prettily-written descriptive sentences throughout. The delivery was lacking, however - it especially suffered from improbable, pedantic dialogue - and I was annoyed by the unqualified endorsement of all things Amish. (Nothing in this book would disturb readers of Christian Amish chic lit.) Also, since half the book dealt with childbirth, I'll point out that a medical model is a medical model, even when it's furnished with handmade quilts and kerosene lamps. Where are the midwives?!
August 1, 2016
The author recounts warm and sometimes heartbreaking memories of Doctor Elton Lehamn’s 36 years of practicing medicine in Amish Country. The doctor respected the cultures of the community and adjusted his medical practice to accommodate their needs. You learn about the unusual partnership with an Amish midwife that led to the innovative Mount Eaton Care Center that allowed women to give birth in a more family friendly and less expensive setting than a hospital. The book covers interesting medical events from opening his first practice up to this Ohio doctor being selected 1998 Country Doctor of the year.
September 1, 2012
I found this an interesting little read, enjoying many of the memories and recollections, though some were very sad. Dr Lehman is an inspiration and an ordinary guy - he's not trying to be special or do anything special, but is just a good guy who gives his best to all. For me reading it in the u.k. is speaks of a whole different world as there is not really any communities even close to this over here. It has nothing particularly negative to say about anyone - and this feels a bit too good to be true. I would have given it 3 1/2 stars if I could have.
Currently reading
September 3, 2009So far I'm really enjoying this. A nice insight into the Amish life from a non-amish that has been accepted into their world, as much as an outsider can be, as a local general practitioner. I was worried I'd be bored with this as it was a gift and not something I would normally pick up, but it's been a pleasant surprise. Well written and I find it even more interesting because the doctor's practice is in an area of Ohio that I'm familiar with.
March 29, 2010
A great book if you're interested the Amish way of life. Following the life of Dr. Lehman, a wonderful country doctor, you get to see the real way of life for people who care so much about each other. Filled with quaint folksy stories, real life dramas, and observations on how religion is the basis for their life, you'll enjoy the warm hearted memories. For lovers of medical stories, Amish stories, or simply clean humorous recollections, you'll love this book.
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July 27, 2011A great story. I enjoyed how it brings Dr. Elton Lehman and the many people and patients to life. It gives great insight in to the history of medicine as well as the Amish people.
Some of the anecdotes will make you laugh, some will make you cry. The stories definately give a clearer understanding of how working in a culture outside of your own takes a lot of dedication and faith. Faith in yourself and the faith of he patients you treat.
Some of the anecdotes will make you laugh, some will make you cry. The stories definately give a clearer understanding of how working in a culture outside of your own takes a lot of dedication and faith. Faith in yourself and the faith of he patients you treat.
September 22, 2012
House Calls is a story about a doctor in our area of Ohio who worked with the Amish, literally WITH them going beyond the call of duty to provide them with health care. The situations he finds himself unselfishly handling give you such respect for him and his wife! It reminded me of The Irish Country Doctor but not as well written. The writing is repetitive and simplistic bogging down quite frequently, but I did enjoy reading about my new home, Ohio and the Amish.
June 11, 2015
The writing was disjointed and simplistic throughout most of the book, but the story of this doctor's time serving an Amish community was sufficiently interesting to overlook the writing style. The chapter that tells the story of the children that were hit by a speeding car was told eloquently. The doctor's dedication to his patients is inspiring. And it was interesting to learn more about the Amish. If you are at all curious about the Amish you will like this book.
September 1, 2017
Probably the only thing that bumped my rating up from 2 to 3 stars is that I know the area and went to school with Dr. Lehman's children, so just the mention of a road name could bring up an image in my mind. If not for that, I probably wouldn't have finished this book, the writing was just too unwieldy. The dialogue was incredibly awkward, and eventually I felt like I was reading the same scene repeatedly.
June 26, 2008
The majority of this book takes place near where I grew up so it was interesting to read how aomeone else sees places that I know. I think the end of the book strayed very far from the original premise to talk about an event that happened in the community. It went on at great length and I'm not sure what it really added to the telling of an otherwise interesting insight into a small culture.
August 5, 2015
The writing wasn't very good, the author went on unneccessary tangents & tended to get long-winded at times but, you could tell she had deep respect for Dr. Lehman & his work. Since it was about a local doctor & contained familiar places & customs it held my interest. If your looking for something simple to read, this is a great book for that.
April 24, 2009
I really enjoyed the subject matter, but the marginal writing kept trowing me off. (Although, I will grant that trying to seamlessly integrate 35+ years worth of anecdotes was probably a challenge!)If you bemoan the lack of a personal touch in doctor/patient relationships, you may find that this book gives you a glimmer of hope.
July 6, 2011
LOVED this book! I really liked reading about the true cases that this amazing country doctor dealt with. He really complied by his patient's wishes and gave optimal care no matter what their feelings on healthcare were. I really liked how supported he was by the city hospital as well. Small town/Amish communities really stick together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews