You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
50 reviews for:
Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
Nancy Sleeth
3.09 AVERAGE
50 reviews for:
Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
Nancy Sleeth
3.09 AVERAGE
One person's look at how the Amish live and theoretical lessons we could apply today. Didn't really do much for me.
In this book, the author has described 10 principles of Amish life and explains how we can apply these to our lives. Ahe also tells about her own life and how she has tried to apply these principles in her life. To me, the parts about her own life sounded rather sanctimonious and I was not thrilled with that aspect of the book. The Amish princples of living a simple life, in a closely knit family and community focused on the Lord sounded good and I did enjoy that part of the book although that seemed overly idealized in parts as well. There are a few recipes at the end for some breads and soups and I look forward to trying them.
I only read the first half of this book.
I was really excited to begin reading this book because I'm super fascinated and inspired by many of the things the author holds dear--simple living, generosity, eating naturally, caring for the environment.
But I was just sort of bored with this book! A lot of what she talks about is either common-sense stuff or stuff I was already doing, or both.
In the chapter on finances, she talks about saving more, spending less, decluttering, want vs. need, how everything belongs to God and we are stewards, etc.
In the chapter on nature, she talks about vegetable gardens, planting trees, picking up trash...
It was just sort of....--nice reminders, but shallow at times.
I was really excited to begin reading this book because I'm super fascinated and inspired by many of the things the author holds dear--simple living, generosity, eating naturally, caring for the environment.
But I was just sort of bored with this book! A lot of what she talks about is either common-sense stuff or stuff I was already doing, or both.
In the chapter on finances, she talks about saving more, spending less, decluttering, want vs. need, how everything belongs to God and we are stewards, etc.
In the chapter on nature, she talks about vegetable gardens, planting trees, picking up trash...
It was just sort of....--nice reminders, but shallow at times.
Good ideas, but most were geared towards those married and/or with children. Not very many applicable ideas for singles.
I picked up the book because the title made me laugh and the cover caught my eye with the color scheme. I read a bit and might read a bit more but what rang in my ears was Jesus reprimanding the Pharisees for putting a load on the people of rules and regulations that they weren't willing to carry themselves. My advice to anyone is to know your Bible and follow Jesus and go where He leads you. This book might have been better if she was just telling her story and how she got there rather than coming up with another lifestyle with a bunch of rules for us to follow because she discovered it.
Well-intentioned enough--lady wants us all to be environmentalists because we're Christians. Buy local and buy American because Jesus says to, that sort of thing. She never mentions quite how very tiny the impact of the steps she wants us to take, and some don't even seem practical. (Don't move, stay in one place.) She also never mentions how many people would have to go hungry if we all restricted ourselves to buying local. Sigh.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. Another one that wasn't bad, but wasn't great. I suppose this sounds dumb, but it was far more religious than I expected. I know, I know...it's about the Amish, a religious group. Yeah, I probably should have figured it out. Somehow, though, (probably based upon the subtitle), I expected more about simplicity, less about God. (The author, I'm sure, would argue that they are inextricably connected.)
Also, as others have said, it seems like a lot of the book was about the author's incredibly privileged life. It's fabulous that she's been able to make so many positive changes, but many (if not most) of those changes would not have been possible were it not for her husband's doctor's salary.
Not terrible, just not what I expected.
Also, as others have said, it seems like a lot of the book was about the author's incredibly privileged life. It's fabulous that she's been able to make so many positive changes, but many (if not most) of those changes would not have been possible were it not for her husband's doctor's salary.
Not terrible, just not what I expected.
I think the description of this book is very misleading, as God is only mentioned at the very end of the blurb. Instead, the word should be randomly inserted every 4th or 5th word, so you really know what you are getting into. If you like Christians telling you how to be more Christian, and how they are saving the planet by moving out of their mansion and recycling and then having millions of books published and traveling around the country on speaking tours, completely negating any possible good that came from simplifying (and Bible verses every few lines to somehow illustrate their points), then this book is for you. If you just wanted to read about a woman who has simplified her family's life, without being preached at, then don't bother with this book.
SOOOOO I got to within 20 pages (!) of finishing before finally giving up... it was the "Respect Gender Roles" section that got me. I read it, to be fair. It's boringly predictable bullshit: women should quit their careers to bear, birth, and care for children. Oh, and children need a man married to a woman as their parents, in order to grow up properly. But don't worry, Nancy makes sure to include the fact that part-time work can sometimes be appropriate for moms; full-time work can be resumed after children have reached adulthood; and of course, women should still be able to vote!!! OMG how generous.
Even before this gender nonsense, the book is self-righteous, irritatingly repetitive, and not well-organized. I picked it up because the subtitle makes it sound like my kind of nonfiction read: person attempts X (like The Year of Living Biblically, which is a much, MUCH better book). Also, I wanted/expected tips on living simply (ala lykke/minimalism/zero waste etc.). This disappointing book is just a weird list of things like finances, nature, faith, family, community, etc. that Nancy peppers with scripture and her own already-implemented, already-successful lived experience. Oh, also, I didn't learn much about the Amish and I wonder what they would think of this book.
Even before this gender nonsense, the book is self-righteous, irritatingly repetitive, and not well-organized. I picked it up because the subtitle makes it sound like my kind of nonfiction read: person attempts X (like The Year of Living Biblically, which is a much, MUCH better book). Also, I wanted/expected tips on living simply (ala lykke/minimalism/zero waste etc.). This disappointing book is just a weird list of things like finances, nature, faith, family, community, etc. that Nancy peppers with scripture and her own already-implemented, already-successful lived experience. Oh, also, I didn't learn much about the Amish and I wonder what they would think of this book.