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Amish Confidential
“Lebanon” Levi Stoltzfus, star of the hit Discovery Channel reality show Amish Mafia , delivers a sizzling tell-all about Amish life today. From the forbidden joyrides to the senseless shunnings to the colorful family feuds, he shares his frank insider’s view of this fascinating and secretive society.
You’ve seen the pretty postcards and the shiny tourist brochures. Now, Amish Confidential takes readers beyond the buggies, bonnets, and beards—into the hidden heart of back-roads Amish country. The all-night field parties. The prohibited automobiles. The nosy neighbors and prissy tattletales. It’s all the many “English temptations.” The stitch-and-bitch quilting bees. The sex, alcohol, and illicit Wi-Fi. And the random acts of kindness and remarkable forgiveness, too.
Interest in the Amish has never been greater. The tourist counts keep breaking new records. Amish Mafia is back for a fourth blockbuster season on TV, joined now by several spinoff shows. Amish Confidential taps right into America’s fresh fascination with the throwback Amish. Stoltzfus weaves his never-before-told personal story through some high-profile Amish episodes that rocked the news in recent years, including the Nickel Mines shooting massacre, the Amish sisters’ farm-stand kidnapping, and the Amish-Pagan drug gang. As America’s most famous Amish tough guy makes clear on every page, there is nothing plain or simple about the plain-and-simple life.
You’ve seen the pretty postcards and the shiny tourist brochures. Now, Amish Confidential takes readers beyond the buggies, bonnets, and beards—into the hidden heart of back-roads Amish country. The all-night field parties. The prohibited automobiles. The nosy neighbors and prissy tattletales. It’s all the many “English temptations.” The stitch-and-bitch quilting bees. The sex, alcohol, and illicit Wi-Fi. And the random acts of kindness and remarkable forgiveness, too.
Interest in the Amish has never been greater. The tourist counts keep breaking new records. Amish Mafia is back for a fourth blockbuster season on TV, joined now by several spinoff shows. Amish Confidential taps right into America’s fresh fascination with the throwback Amish. Stoltzfus weaves his never-before-told personal story through some high-profile Amish episodes that rocked the news in recent years, including the Nickel Mines shooting massacre, the Amish sisters’ farm-stand kidnapping, and the Amish-Pagan drug gang. As America’s most famous Amish tough guy makes clear on every page, there is nothing plain or simple about the plain-and-simple life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2015
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621 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 5, 2017
Rewritten 24 Nov. Without doubt the Amish are fascinating. But behind closed doors they are just like us with all our problems. It's not hypocrisy as much as protecting their product - tourism and interest in all things Amish which have enabled them to become, as a community, very rich. They may reject the trappings of modern life but they are capitalists through and through. And making money in tourism and selling their not-always hand-crafted products relies on their image.
This image is only part black hat and buggy, it's also we see them as simple folk, honest, biblical, their faces always turned to the sun. And so they are very good at hiding their problems and the rest of us are very good at enabling them to do this as we all want to believe in their wholesomeness and the rewards of the simpler life.
Sure we know about rumspringa, the teenage years of not being bound by Amish rules until they are baptised, but the tv documentaries all have these kids leaving home for a year or two to experience modern life in the city. What the documentaries don't show is that most of these teenagers live at home, and can have cars, radios, tvs, wear jeans and makeup, get their hair done, go out to parties, have sex and all the other things teenagers do. And it isn't just for a year, it can go on as long as they like. They don't have to be baptised and they can't be shunned for ignoring the rules as they aren't bound by them. Sometimes this goes on until marriage.
When that happens, they are baptised, marry within the community and the previously independent girls who call the shots for dating and sex (as the author says) morph into submissive, subordinate wives that only respond and never initiate. At least in public.
The author is an ex-insider as after his years of rumspringa he chose to be baptised into New Order Amish who are somewhat more in tune with the modern world. Not by a lot though. They differ by not allowing alcohol, tobacco or bundling courting couples (fully clothed) into bed together. They are also evangelical and some groups allow cars, electricity and even trimming of the hair (men only)
Old Order Amish also like cars, and if they own them hide them in barns. They want freezers, they rent space in a non-Amish house. They have phones for business-use only, the same with electricity. There is always a way around all prohibitions sometimes 'legal' and sometimes not. Orthodox Jews are the same. Burdensome rules need workarounds.
Good book, rhoroughly enjoyable, the author has a defensive voice but that doesn't spoil the text, maybe even adds to it. It's a very easy read. I've never see the author's tv programmes, but I'd like to.
____________
Notes on reading the book. I've always been fascinated by the Amish and read some very good books about them, but never one from this angle. I'm a bit wary though. So many insider's stories from some secretive religious group seem to be sensationalist, fictionalised and not exactly the majority's experience. I'm thinking now of scientology books (there are an awful lot of happy scientologists in the world), Orthodox Jewish expose's which are very foreign to my own experience of that world, Mormons, Muslims and various others. I suppose I should just take them with a pinch of salt and realise they are all written to make money and writing boring stuff doesn't sell.
This image is only part black hat and buggy, it's also we see them as simple folk, honest, biblical, their faces always turned to the sun. And so they are very good at hiding their problems and the rest of us are very good at enabling them to do this as we all want to believe in their wholesomeness and the rewards of the simpler life.
Sure we know about rumspringa, the teenage years of not being bound by Amish rules until they are baptised, but the tv documentaries all have these kids leaving home for a year or two to experience modern life in the city. What the documentaries don't show is that most of these teenagers live at home, and can have cars, radios, tvs, wear jeans and makeup, get their hair done, go out to parties, have sex and all the other things teenagers do. And it isn't just for a year, it can go on as long as they like. They don't have to be baptised and they can't be shunned for ignoring the rules as they aren't bound by them. Sometimes this goes on until marriage.
When that happens, they are baptised, marry within the community and the previously independent girls who call the shots for dating and sex (as the author says) morph into submissive, subordinate wives that only respond and never initiate. At least in public.
The author is an ex-insider as after his years of rumspringa he chose to be baptised into New Order Amish who are somewhat more in tune with the modern world. Not by a lot though. They differ by not allowing alcohol, tobacco or bundling courting couples (fully clothed) into bed together. They are also evangelical and some groups allow cars, electricity and even trimming of the hair (men only)
Old Order Amish also like cars, and if they own them hide them in barns. They want freezers, they rent space in a non-Amish house. They have phones for business-use only, the same with electricity. There is always a way around all prohibitions sometimes 'legal' and sometimes not. Orthodox Jews are the same. Burdensome rules need workarounds.
Good book, rhoroughly enjoyable, the author has a defensive voice but that doesn't spoil the text, maybe even adds to it. It's a very easy read. I've never see the author's tv programmes, but I'd like to.
____________
Notes on reading the book. I've always been fascinated by the Amish and read some very good books about them, but never one from this angle. I'm a bit wary though. So many insider's stories from some secretive religious group seem to be sensationalist, fictionalised and not exactly the majority's experience. I'm thinking now of scientology books (there are an awful lot of happy scientologists in the world), Orthodox Jewish expose's which are very foreign to my own experience of that world, Mormons, Muslims and various others. I suppose I should just take them with a pinch of salt and realise they are all written to make money and writing boring stuff doesn't sell.
June 29, 2017
I wasn't expecting much from Amish Confidential, a tell-all memoir, by Amish mafia reality television star, Lebanon Levi Stoltzfus. Despite my expectations, it was quite good.
I picked it up because watching The Amish Mafia is one of my guilty pleasures. It is a reality, cultural, crime-syndicate show with horses.
The Amish, like other insular communities, have plenty to teach the outside world about they live their lives. Levi definitely has the inside scoop, having been raised Old Order Amish, a more conservative branch of the culture.
I loved learning about how the Amish were formed and the historical background of his people. I ate up the bits about Amish marriage ceremonies and the social customs surrounding the party afterwards. Celery, apparently, is huge. Who knew, right?
I wish he had talked more how he fell into the world of "Amish mafia" itself. It's clear from his narrative that he feels the Amish are taken advantage of because of their religious pacifism. He believes that they desire to deal with potentially criminal matters among themselves rather than going to the authorities. That is the basis of the mafia. For legal reasons, he probably couldn't be that transparent. But it would have been excellent if he had.
If you enjoy the television show, you may not like this as much because it lacks some of the moment to moment tension and drama that one gets from watching the show. But, if you go into it with an open mind to learn more about the Amish in general, it certainly accomplishes that.
If you enjoyed Amish Confidential, I'd recommend The Terrorist's Son: A Story of Choice (a Muslim boy is raised one way but chooses to live another) or License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver (a memoir by a pawn shop owner who has his own reality television show).
I picked it up because watching The Amish Mafia is one of my guilty pleasures. It is a reality, cultural, crime-syndicate show with horses.
The Amish, like other insular communities, have plenty to teach the outside world about they live their lives. Levi definitely has the inside scoop, having been raised Old Order Amish, a more conservative branch of the culture.
I loved learning about how the Amish were formed and the historical background of his people. I ate up the bits about Amish marriage ceremonies and the social customs surrounding the party afterwards. Celery, apparently, is huge. Who knew, right?
I wish he had talked more how he fell into the world of "Amish mafia" itself. It's clear from his narrative that he feels the Amish are taken advantage of because of their religious pacifism. He believes that they desire to deal with potentially criminal matters among themselves rather than going to the authorities. That is the basis of the mafia. For legal reasons, he probably couldn't be that transparent. But it would have been excellent if he had.
If you enjoy the television show, you may not like this as much because it lacks some of the moment to moment tension and drama that one gets from watching the show. But, if you go into it with an open mind to learn more about the Amish in general, it certainly accomplishes that.
If you enjoyed Amish Confidential, I'd recommend The Terrorist's Son: A Story of Choice (a Muslim boy is raised one way but chooses to live another) or License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver (a memoir by a pawn shop owner who has his own reality television show).
July 21, 2025
After watching the show "Amish Mafia" on Discovery Channel I had to get my hands on this book. I can honestly say I liked it very much. It gave back story to the author and main character of Amish Mafia "Lebanon" Levi.
The book did a great job explaining the cultural values and norms within this closed-off community. He gave insight into the youth, family dynamics, drug & alcohol abuse, and even buggy racing. This is one of the more unique biographies I've read in a long time! Great read! Thanks.
The book did a great job explaining the cultural values and norms within this closed-off community. He gave insight into the youth, family dynamics, drug & alcohol abuse, and even buggy racing. This is one of the more unique biographies I've read in a long time! Great read! Thanks.
April 3, 2015
I'd like to preface this review by saying that this is a well written book, but definitely not what I expected it to be. Who doesn't love a bit of sensationalism? I, like many other people, watched this show because it was interesting, and because it blew apart an ideal that many of us who are not closely familiar with the Amish held. They are different than us--we knew that, but I suppose I thought that meant that they did not experience the same things that we do out in the "English world." I was aware whilst watching the programme that some of it must have been filmed as it was to increase the shock value for the viewers, but I also felt that it showed some true events going on that no outsider to the communities featured would have ever guessed at. I was hoping for more of the same with this book.
It wasn't what I expected.
Based upon what was said by Levi himself, I thought this book would be more of a 'here is what was and is really going on behind the scenes' kind of thing. I expected to learn more about those he felt had wronged him and thought he would offer up an explanation for some of the events America witnessed on the series but didn't learn more about. That isn't what this book is. With the buildup for the release of the book and the promises of secrets exposed, I think a lot of people will buy this in close connection with the end of the series, thinking they will find out what happened to favourite cast members or get a peek at what producers and cast members didn't or weren't allowed to share during the filming. They won't learn a thing.
Even so, this is an interesting look into the world of the Amish. Levi and his co-author do a good job of putting the traditions and long-standing beliefs of his people into focus for those of us who would not ordinarily understand them. There is a lot of information about events that have happened in the Amish community, although many of them weren't shocking, or anything that you could not google and come up with results for on your own.
I suppose getting an insider's take on things when you are curious about a certain region or community does have benefits over just researching news articles, and Levi does include many personal details about his life.
My honest opinion is that this is a good history of the Amish and a look at the daily lives of those who follow this lifestyle, but isn't anything so dramatically exciting that you will be rushing to share tidbits with your family and friends.
I think the ever present threat of lawsuits for slander stop people from saying what they really think a lot of the time. I have a feeling a lot more could and would be said if it weren't for that fact. The show was exciting and filled with lots of "I can't believe he did that!" The book is not.
Although I can respect the co-author for making the book grammatically correct and for flowing smoothly, I did not see the big personality from Levi as it was displayed in the TV show. I missed that. Eighth grade education or not, I felt like he should have been more present in his own book.
Overall? I'm glad I read it, but I think in this case, the marketing was more exciting than the book.
It wasn't what I expected.
Based upon what was said by Levi himself, I thought this book would be more of a 'here is what was and is really going on behind the scenes' kind of thing. I expected to learn more about those he felt had wronged him and thought he would offer up an explanation for some of the events America witnessed on the series but didn't learn more about. That isn't what this book is. With the buildup for the release of the book and the promises of secrets exposed, I think a lot of people will buy this in close connection with the end of the series, thinking they will find out what happened to favourite cast members or get a peek at what producers and cast members didn't or weren't allowed to share during the filming. They won't learn a thing.
Even so, this is an interesting look into the world of the Amish. Levi and his co-author do a good job of putting the traditions and long-standing beliefs of his people into focus for those of us who would not ordinarily understand them. There is a lot of information about events that have happened in the Amish community, although many of them weren't shocking, or anything that you could not google and come up with results for on your own.
I suppose getting an insider's take on things when you are curious about a certain region or community does have benefits over just researching news articles, and Levi does include many personal details about his life.
My honest opinion is that this is a good history of the Amish and a look at the daily lives of those who follow this lifestyle, but isn't anything so dramatically exciting that you will be rushing to share tidbits with your family and friends.
I think the ever present threat of lawsuits for slander stop people from saying what they really think a lot of the time. I have a feeling a lot more could and would be said if it weren't for that fact. The show was exciting and filled with lots of "I can't believe he did that!" The book is not.
Although I can respect the co-author for making the book grammatically correct and for flowing smoothly, I did not see the big personality from Levi as it was displayed in the TV show. I missed that. Eighth grade education or not, I felt like he should have been more present in his own book.
Overall? I'm glad I read it, but I think in this case, the marketing was more exciting than the book.
April 3, 2015
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the two authors of this book, "Lebanon" Levi Stoltzfus and Ellis Henican. I finished this book in one day. It really felt like it was told in Levi's voice. I thought I knew about the Amish but I learned so much about the inner workings of the Amish community in Lancaster, PA. Because of contractual obligations to the Discovery Channel, there was not inside information about the show "Amish Mafia." However, it is still as entertaining, if not more! Levi and Ellis give you an inside look into Levi's life and also touched on other stories about the Amish like the Pagan-Amish drug connection as well as the beard cutting case in Ohio. I will recommend this book to any fan of the show or anyone interested in learning more about the Amish culture and lifestyle.
May 9, 2015
Is a really good book. Levi had plenty to say and was descriptive in explaining the "going-ons" in the Amish community. Was interesting reading it coming from an individual from inside the Amish community. I myself was already aware of many of the things that were described within the book being that I do not live far from the area and I have had dealings with the Amish. They are a great community but they (like most of us) have their dark secrets. Well they are not exactly dark hidden secrets any longer with the shows and the books that have been written. Personally I do not think Levi wrote the book out of animosity but rather to let the truth be known. I like Levi's no holds barred attitude that what you see is what you get with him and he is not about to hide for anyone. Great read!!!
April 2, 2015
Review of Amish Confidential
Really enjoyed your book. I think you had a lot more to say. I believe you have more thunder to deliver In the Amish community. Hope you come up with another reality/adventure series for Discovery Channel.
Kudos to you and Ellis Henican.
Really enjoyed your book. I think you had a lot more to say. I believe you have more thunder to deliver In the Amish community. Hope you come up with another reality/adventure series for Discovery Channel.
Kudos to you and Ellis Henican.
April 18, 2015
Great story
It was a surprisingly good book. Not quite what I expected, but still real good. I though it would be a dirtier, more negative look into the Amish lifestyle, but instead Levi leaves readers feeling good.
It was a surprisingly good book. Not quite what I expected, but still real good. I though it would be a dirtier, more negative look into the Amish lifestyle, but instead Levi leaves readers feeling good.
April 8, 2015
Good Read, but I wish Levi would have talked more about what happened and didn't happen on the show. I hate that the show has ended. I'm sure there will be some type of spin off-- I hope anyway, or at least a follow up book on what everyone is doing after the show. I really enjoyed the show and learned even more about the Amish culture after reading the book. How forgiving the Amish are after such horrendous tragedies are something I will try to adopt in my life and a way of living I will not forget. Despite the violence portrayed in the hit tv show "Amish Mafia", I think learning the history and the way they stick to their core beliefs along with the judgements they continue to overcome is quite impressive. Living in a fast paced and modern world with constant pressure to conform to all the different influences of today's society, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn as much as we can from the primitive Amish ways of life. The combination of some modern world technologies mixed with the devoted, modest and humble ways of the Amish would be the ideal way for our future generations to live.
Great Read, but I wish Levi would have talked more about what happened and what didn't happen on the show. I hate that the show has ended. I'm sure there will be some type of spin off-- I hope anyway, or at least a follow up book on what everyone is doing after the show. I really enjoyed the show and learned even more about the Amish culture after reading this book. How forgiving the Amish are after such horrendous tragedies are something I will try to adopt in my life and a way of living I will not forget. Despite the violence in the hit T.V. show "Amish Mafia", I think learning the history and the way they stick to their core beliefs along with the judgements they continue to overcome is quite impressive. Living in a fast paced modern world with constant pressure to conform to all the different influences of society, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn as much as we can from the primitive Amish ways of life. The combination of some modern world technologies mixed with the devoted, modest & humble ways of the Amish would be the ideal way for our future generations to live.
Great Read, but I wish Levi would have talked more about what happened and what didn't happen on the show. I hate that the show has ended. I'm sure there will be some type of spin off-- I hope anyway, or at least a follow up book on what everyone is doing after the show. I really enjoyed the show and learned even more about the Amish culture after reading this book. How forgiving the Amish are after such horrendous tragedies are something I will try to adopt in my life and a way of living I will not forget. Despite the violence in the hit T.V. show "Amish Mafia", I think learning the history and the way they stick to their core beliefs along with the judgements they continue to overcome is quite impressive. Living in a fast paced modern world with constant pressure to conform to all the different influences of society, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn as much as we can from the primitive Amish ways of life. The combination of some modern world technologies mixed with the devoted, modest & humble ways of the Amish would be the ideal way for our future generations to live.
February 18, 2016
Quite surprised how much I enjoyed the book. The history of the Amish is quite interesting and some of the tragedies suffered by the Amish were devastating. As viewer of the TV show I hoped for more insight into the events in the show, not much new is touch on, no inside information related to the show. First a history of the Amish, major events and inter workings of the Amish society, and finally more current events are touch on. If you are fan of the show and are looking for incite to the TV show, this isn't it, but from a Historical perspective and real life Amish issue its a good read.
April 17, 2015
Interesting book. I happened to love this reality series just because I have always been fascinated by the Amish culture. The book is interesting. Levi introduces other facets of the Amish lifestyle that were not shown in the series. There is a great deal of historical background about the Amish that I really enjoyed. Worth the read if this sort of thing interests you.
May 12, 2015
I enjoyed learning about some of the beliefs and cultural practices of the Amish. The negative issues may not be as generally found as the Amish author implied but if only the other stuff is true it was worth reading.
April 4, 2015
Levi's book
Good tread. Learned a few new facts. They're not too different than anyone else. I too watch the show an glad it will continue.
Good tread. Learned a few new facts. They're not too different than anyone else. I too watch the show an glad it will continue.
April 8, 2015
This book has nothing to do with the tv show. However it was interesting to learn about the Amish culture.
April 3, 2015
Amish Confidential was not what I thought it was going to be when I purchased it. I figured this would be the star of Amish Mafia sharing some of the background details about the show with readers and about ten percent of the book was exactly what I hoped to read.
The writing by "Lebanon" Levi Stolzfus and co-author Ellis Henican is nice and flows to make this book a very easy read. Most of the book deals with crimes that have happened in the Amish community throughout the United States. Stolzfus shares stories about two little girls that were kidnapped while working the family produce stand at the end of the driveway and, thankfully, their safe return home. The trial of Sam Mullet and his followers for beard and hair cutting in Ohio that was part of Merlin on going story line during the show. Living close to an Amish community in Ohio I knew of, and followed, the Sam Mullet trial. It was interesting to read some background on the cult beyond what Amish Mafia and local news shared. Other stories were concerning, the West Nickel Mines School shooting, Ponzi schemes, BUI or buggy driving under the influence, the drug problem in the Amish community. Most of the stories that were shared here could have been looked up on-line and read from newspaper accounts. As I said other than the Mullet followers background there didn't seem to be much shared that wasn't already known.
Throughout the book Stoltzfus shares stories from his personal life. The untimely death of his father and his mother marrying a widow and combining their families into an Amish Brady Bunch. Stoltzfus shares how he is comfortable keeping one foot in Amish while the other is in English. Mostly though he covers childhood through late teens, early twenties. There is not too much, if any, information that would deal with his time on Amish Mafia or his life behind the cameras.
The areas of the book that I thought were really interesting were Stoltzfus discussing his experience on Rumspringa. How this experience is different for each Amish teenager, how the older Amish view this time and how hard it was for him to make his decision of what to do when it was time to end Rumspringa.
Also the chapter on Amish weddings and the traditions that surround the wedding was very interesting. From the extreme consumption of celery at the wedding meals because it is thought to bring good luck. To the pairing off of the bride's single friends with the groom's friends. Even the way the newlyweds are expected after the wedding to visit at all the relatives houses before settling into their own home.
A section that was interesting but brief was about Pinecraft, FL, a community near Sarasota where Amish go to vacation, snow bird or retire. This area was briefly touched on by the television show too when Stoltzfus took a couple different love interests to the beach for a vacation.
As I started out I thought that this book would be the behind the scenes of Discovery television show Amish Mafia. There was very little mentioned about the show other than passing remarks. At the end of the book Stoltzfus touches on the campaign he started, and was successful, in the Amish community to have the former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett voted from office. Mostly what was touched on in the book was already discussed and shown on the show.
Over all if you're interested in crime committed by the Amish or by English on the Amish, learning some interesting facts about Amish traditions and learning what it was like to be an Amish boy and teenager this book could be of interest. If you're just looking for a book that will give the behind the scene stories from Amish Mafia than save your money. This is not that book.
The writing by "Lebanon" Levi Stolzfus and co-author Ellis Henican is nice and flows to make this book a very easy read. Most of the book deals with crimes that have happened in the Amish community throughout the United States. Stolzfus shares stories about two little girls that were kidnapped while working the family produce stand at the end of the driveway and, thankfully, their safe return home. The trial of Sam Mullet and his followers for beard and hair cutting in Ohio that was part of Merlin on going story line during the show. Living close to an Amish community in Ohio I knew of, and followed, the Sam Mullet trial. It was interesting to read some background on the cult beyond what Amish Mafia and local news shared. Other stories were concerning, the West Nickel Mines School shooting, Ponzi schemes, BUI or buggy driving under the influence, the drug problem in the Amish community. Most of the stories that were shared here could have been looked up on-line and read from newspaper accounts. As I said other than the Mullet followers background there didn't seem to be much shared that wasn't already known.
Throughout the book Stoltzfus shares stories from his personal life. The untimely death of his father and his mother marrying a widow and combining their families into an Amish Brady Bunch. Stoltzfus shares how he is comfortable keeping one foot in Amish while the other is in English. Mostly though he covers childhood through late teens, early twenties. There is not too much, if any, information that would deal with his time on Amish Mafia or his life behind the cameras.
The areas of the book that I thought were really interesting were Stoltzfus discussing his experience on Rumspringa. How this experience is different for each Amish teenager, how the older Amish view this time and how hard it was for him to make his decision of what to do when it was time to end Rumspringa.
Also the chapter on Amish weddings and the traditions that surround the wedding was very interesting. From the extreme consumption of celery at the wedding meals because it is thought to bring good luck. To the pairing off of the bride's single friends with the groom's friends. Even the way the newlyweds are expected after the wedding to visit at all the relatives houses before settling into their own home.
A section that was interesting but brief was about Pinecraft, FL, a community near Sarasota where Amish go to vacation, snow bird or retire. This area was briefly touched on by the television show too when Stoltzfus took a couple different love interests to the beach for a vacation.
As I started out I thought that this book would be the behind the scenes of Discovery television show Amish Mafia. There was very little mentioned about the show other than passing remarks. At the end of the book Stoltzfus touches on the campaign he started, and was successful, in the Amish community to have the former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett voted from office. Mostly what was touched on in the book was already discussed and shown on the show.
Over all if you're interested in crime committed by the Amish or by English on the Amish, learning some interesting facts about Amish traditions and learning what it was like to be an Amish boy and teenager this book could be of interest. If you're just looking for a book that will give the behind the scene stories from Amish Mafia than save your money. This is not that book.
September 7, 2015
"Amish Confidential" by "Lebanon" Levi Stoltzfus, star of the reality show "Amish Mafia". As an "English" (non-Amish),I've had almost no dealings with the Amish (except for a day trip to Lancaster,PA years ago).Stoltzfus was born into an Old Order Amish family but he chose not to be baptized into the community. He portrays the Amish as peaceful and generous, while also citing some very disturbing examples of illegal activity and immoral behavior among some members of the faith (there are bad apples in every community,it seems). The Amish are well known for their plain dress,simple living and avoidance of modern technology. I was surprised to learn that a certain area on the Gulf coast of Florida has become a popular vacation spot for the Amish. Amish "snowbirds" from the north migrate to Florida (they ride in chartered buses) for the winter season. I was curious if there is an Amish presence in my home state of Texas. I discovered there is a small community of Amish in central Texas, however most Amish reside in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, with lesser numbers in other Northeastern and Midwestern states. "Amish Confidential" is a very interesting book. I learned some new, surprising facts about the Amish.
June 23, 2015
Let me preface before I begin by saying I honestly don't know much about the Amish but I find them just as fascinating as probably everyone else non-Amish does. I also know that this book is one man's take on the secrets he's exposing, but until someone puts out something else supporting or rebuking it, I'll take it at face value. With that being said, I was utterly fascinated with everything I learned. Now, I am an avid Amish Mafia fan, whether it's fake or not, I honestly don't care...it's entertaining. If you're looking for details into Amish Mafia though, this book is not for you. Levi provides a bit of history into the Amish and Mennonite faith and how they came to 'land' in the United States. He then goes on to share all of these secrets...thus the title! I was amazed and shocked because I just assumed they were the idyllic, peaceful people you hear about. And for the most part I believe they are. But...like any other group, race, sect, culture, community, what have you, they have their issues and they have their bad apples. I was seriously just fascinated through the entire book and now I want to take a trip to Lancaster, PA and buy an authentic Amish quilt!
August 9, 2015
don't have cable tv so I am not familiar with his show Amish Mafia on Discovery, but I have played the role of geeky "English" tourist in Lancaster PA taking buggy rides, visiting gift shops etc.
some interesting anecdotes from his Rumspringa days, perspectives on the Biblical literalism he couldn't endorse living by, and perceived hypocrisy [e.g., if electricity is so horrible, why is it to ok to store meat in freezer run by your English neighbor?], within-culture gossip, etc.
very uneven, disorganized writing -- you could read the chapters in any order, and it would make about the same amount of sense. A chapter on how Kelly McGillis stayed with their family briefly when studying to play her role in Witness, a chapter on puppy mills run by Amish people, a chapter on vacation community in Florida many of them visit.......juxtaposed seemingly at random.
All told, not great writing, but breezy, informative take on the culture with lots of attitude.
some interesting anecdotes from his Rumspringa days, perspectives on the Biblical literalism he couldn't endorse living by, and perceived hypocrisy [e.g., if electricity is so horrible, why is it to ok to store meat in freezer run by your English neighbor?], within-culture gossip, etc.
very uneven, disorganized writing -- you could read the chapters in any order, and it would make about the same amount of sense. A chapter on how Kelly McGillis stayed with their family briefly when studying to play her role in Witness, a chapter on puppy mills run by Amish people, a chapter on vacation community in Florida many of them visit.......juxtaposed seemingly at random.
All told, not great writing, but breezy, informative take on the culture with lots of attitude.
July 6, 2015
First, let me say I was a fan of the TV show. I found it entertaining, even if the truth was stretched a bit. I was expecting this book to be more of the same. However, Levi illustrated an entirely different side of the Amish way of life. He has basically recounted his life growing up in the Amish community. He explains how he felt about the unspoken double standards and how he tried to cope with them as a growing boy. He also explains a lot of history behind how and why the Amish live the way they do. I truly found this book completely riveting. It truly opens a window into daily Amish life. It may not be a huge window, and it may not be accurate for all Amish people. But Levi has done a wonderful job telling the world his unique story.
July 7, 2015
Interesting backstage look at the Amish. As an Ohio native, I've seen and driven by Amish farms, stores and buggies. Loved reading about Levi's experiences as a young adult during his Rumspringa and his later experiences with his neighbors and the church. The Amish do take care of their own, but they also manipulate and abuse their own as well.
I knew a little about the Amish, but now I know more. And I stand by my original gut reaction when I was a small child discovering the Amish as they traveled in their buggies along the Ohio byways- "Thank you, God, for not making me Amish."
Not that I am bashing them- no- but after reading Stoltzfus's account of growing up Amish, I'd be shunned for sure.
I knew a little about the Amish, but now I know more. And I stand by my original gut reaction when I was a small child discovering the Amish as they traveled in their buggies along the Ohio byways- "Thank you, God, for not making me Amish."
Not that I am bashing them- no- but after reading Stoltzfus's account of growing up Amish, I'd be shunned for sure.
April 13, 2015
I listened to an audiobook of this. I have read two or three books on the Amish but you can't find very many written from the perspective of someone who is currently Amish. I haven't watched the show Amish Mafia so I didn't expect A lot about it. He did a nice job of delving into some of the areas you never hear about or at least I have never heard about such as dog breeding, taxes and more of the specifics about what is actually allowed and what is permitted to happen in a sort of don't ask don't tell manner such as driving cars. It isn't the kind of book that I would give it four stars to but it was informative and interesting and offered some history and background that I didn't have.
June 27, 2015
I watched this show every week so I was happy Levi wrote a book. I never knew the history of the Amish in Europe or why they came to America and settled in certain areas. The old order Amish sure have a lot of rules to follow. The Mennonites broke off from Amish and are more progressive. Levi belonged the New Order which is not quite as strict. I found the book very informative and well written. I learned a lot of new knowledge. I wish he would have written about his life on the show and the people that were on the show with him. I really want to know that part. Maybe he will write another book.
July 19, 2016
Didn't tell me anything incident already know; I was expecting more about the actual "Mafia," but got instead chapters on puppy mills, drug abuse, and zero educational opportunities for people older than 14.
April 8, 2015
An interesting book showing both the good and the bad parts of the amish community. Though very little of the book came as a surprise to me it was still a very interesting read.
April 9, 2015
Great read
So much more then I hoped for couldn't stop reading hoping for another book maybe a biography going to read it again
So much more then I hoped for couldn't stop reading hoping for another book maybe a biography going to read it again
May 12, 2015
I have never seen the show, but it was an interesting read!
January 19, 2016
Like many others, I too first heard of Lebanon Levi from Amish Mafia. The show was interesting, to say the least. I didn't take all of it seriously and did my own research about the cast. What I found didn't change my opinion that much of them. However, by the end of Amish Mafia, I had decided how I felt about Levi based on what the show was portraying. I decided I didn't like him.
But, after hearing that he wrote a book about Amish life, past and present, I immediately wanted to read it. While I didn't care for Levi, I still thought he was intelligent and genuinely did care for his community.
As other reviews have said, Amish Confidential doesn't talk about the show much. Levi has said his goal was to educate the public about the truth about the Amish. That's what you will get with this book. If you're looking for Amish Mafia secrets and reveals, this isn't it.
You will learn about Levi growing up Amish, his experiences in life, why he chose his path, what he believes... you'll see a new side of Levi. He also explains Amish history, traditions, how not all Amish communities have the same rules, Amish controversy and a lot more.
This book made me laugh, cry, get mad and then happy. I will definitely buy Levi's next book, should he write one. This one is a very quick read, and I can say that I've gained a new respect for Levi and am now a fan of his.
But, after hearing that he wrote a book about Amish life, past and present, I immediately wanted to read it. While I didn't care for Levi, I still thought he was intelligent and genuinely did care for his community.
As other reviews have said, Amish Confidential doesn't talk about the show much. Levi has said his goal was to educate the public about the truth about the Amish. That's what you will get with this book. If you're looking for Amish Mafia secrets and reveals, this isn't it.
You will learn about Levi growing up Amish, his experiences in life, why he chose his path, what he believes... you'll see a new side of Levi. He also explains Amish history, traditions, how not all Amish communities have the same rules, Amish controversy and a lot more.
This book made me laugh, cry, get mad and then happy. I will definitely buy Levi's next book, should he write one. This one is a very quick read, and I can say that I've gained a new respect for Levi and am now a fan of his.
November 25, 2015
I didn't have high expectations for this book when I checked it out of the library. The author is the star of the "Amish Mafia" TV show which I've never seen, but neither have I heard anything good about it. I still haven't seen the show but the book kept my interest from beginning to end. It's not great writing, but I enjoyed reading about the Amish and the places they live which include where I grew up in Lancaster County, PA. Even my home town, Leola, is mentioned.
This first hand account of Amish life doesn't pull any punches or polish the Amish life trying to make it something that it isn't. The author mentions the drug problem in the Amish as well as the puppy mills, probably the most negative aspect of Amish life, also the persecution from those who are not Amish. But he also writes about the family life, community, and support as well as the unbelievable forgiveness the Amish have shown to those who hurt them.
Most of this I knew about before, but not is this much detail. The weakest part of the book is when the author, rather clumsily, inserts his own opinions, but his experiences growing up are interesting including having the actress, Kelly McGillis staying in his home while preparing for her role in the movie "Witness." And I might even decide to watch an episode or two of "Amish Mafia."
This first hand account of Amish life doesn't pull any punches or polish the Amish life trying to make it something that it isn't. The author mentions the drug problem in the Amish as well as the puppy mills, probably the most negative aspect of Amish life, also the persecution from those who are not Amish. But he also writes about the family life, community, and support as well as the unbelievable forgiveness the Amish have shown to those who hurt them.
Most of this I knew about before, but not is this much detail. The weakest part of the book is when the author, rather clumsily, inserts his own opinions, but his experiences growing up are interesting including having the actress, Kelly McGillis staying in his home while preparing for her role in the movie "Witness." And I might even decide to watch an episode or two of "Amish Mafia."
May 8, 2015
Fascinating book by an Amish man who apparently is part of a TV series on Discovery Channel about the Amish. A reality show. I've never seen it. This book is a no holds barred look at Amish life, and gives an honest look at what's going on in the Lancaster Pennsylvania Amish community. Some of the stories are hilarious, some tearful, but most highly enlightening. I guess what I enjoyed most about the book was the the truths that he ended up telling us that were basically not true. So many myths. A billion dollar (Amish) industry and hypocrisy that's alive today and involves government at every level. Those that read the book will I'm sure be part of the "non-tourists" now that will not be descending to Pennsylvania. Shame on those that have perpetuated this "Amish" business, and shame on the "Amish" that perpetuate the duplicity. There is good and bad in every religion and way of life, but it's only from those on the "inside" that we truly know what's going on.
October 1, 2015
While this book was entertaining and provided some insights into Amish life, it was shallow and, basically, reality tv in print. Of course, what did I expect? It was written by a reality tv star.
I have never watched the show. In fact, I have purposely turned the channel. But, there Lebanon Levi was, staring at me from the library shelf. How could I say no? I guess that I thought being in print would somehow give his words more substance. Not so.
I'm not sorry I read the book and I wish Levi well, whatever his agenda might be, but I am headed back to the library.... very well aware that you can't judge a book by the cover.
I have never watched the show. In fact, I have purposely turned the channel. But, there Lebanon Levi was, staring at me from the library shelf. How could I say no? I guess that I thought being in print would somehow give his words more substance. Not so.
I'm not sorry I read the book and I wish Levi well, whatever his agenda might be, but I am headed back to the library.... very well aware that you can't judge a book by the cover.
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