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andrea_e_feeser's review against another edition
3.0
This book is both a personal account of the author’s summer living and working among the Amish in Lancaster County, and an expose of the economic growth of Lancaster County and its impact on the Amish.
As someone who is a native to Pennsylvania and who has ancestors from Lancaster County-as well as several in-laws living in Lancaster and York Counties-I was taken aback by the book’s didactic nature. The book portrays the Amish as pitted against the local English (non-Amish). The former wishing to preserve their farmland and their way of life, while the latter are interested solely in economic growth and entrepreneurial opportunity.
This leaves out another equally important presence, that of the “Fancy” Pennsylvania Dutch (German). These descendants trace their history in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster, York and Chester Counties-as well as parts of northern Maryland-as far back as the Old Order Amish. They consist mostly (although, not exclusively) of adherents of the Methodist and Lutheran faiths. These other Pennsylvania Germans are equally flummoxed by the increase in visitors and the build-up of new housing. Indeed, these issues have plagued natives of Chester County for two generations.
Of course, I do believe that general growth (as a nation) is necessary. The United States does not lack for unoccupied land. There is greater open land available in some of the mid-western states. However, it is of utmost importance to protect Pennsylvania farmland and orchard land.
We should work together to pass and enact legislation that preserves farmland and orchard land. There are townships that have been able to do just that, however it has been easier to accomplish before the developers have taken hold in an area.
One side note on the case of David Fisher: it is an unfortunate fact of life for citizens of Pennsylvania that we are required to “jump through hoops” in order to procure permits for even the smallest improvement to our homes. This is not solely an issue for the Amish. I do recognize, however, the need for allowances on such things as water regulations, which are clearly aimed at modern homes with appliances.
I did enjoy the personal account of the author’s time with the Stoltzfus family. The conversations and the daily chores gave a glimpse into the life of an Amish family. I would have like to hear more about the daily life of the women. Overall, it is an enjoyable book and underscores some important issues plaguing Lancaster County.
As someone who is a native to Pennsylvania and who has ancestors from Lancaster County-as well as several in-laws living in Lancaster and York Counties-I was taken aback by the book’s didactic nature. The book portrays the Amish as pitted against the local English (non-Amish). The former wishing to preserve their farmland and their way of life, while the latter are interested solely in economic growth and entrepreneurial opportunity.
This leaves out another equally important presence, that of the “Fancy” Pennsylvania Dutch (German). These descendants trace their history in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster, York and Chester Counties-as well as parts of northern Maryland-as far back as the Old Order Amish. They consist mostly (although, not exclusively) of adherents of the Methodist and Lutheran faiths. These other Pennsylvania Germans are equally flummoxed by the increase in visitors and the build-up of new housing. Indeed, these issues have plagued natives of Chester County for two generations.
Of course, I do believe that general growth (as a nation) is necessary. The United States does not lack for unoccupied land. There is greater open land available in some of the mid-western states. However, it is of utmost importance to protect Pennsylvania farmland and orchard land.
We should work together to pass and enact legislation that preserves farmland and orchard land. There are townships that have been able to do just that, however it has been easier to accomplish before the developers have taken hold in an area.
One side note on the case of David Fisher: it is an unfortunate fact of life for citizens of Pennsylvania that we are required to “jump through hoops” in order to procure permits for even the smallest improvement to our homes. This is not solely an issue for the Amish. I do recognize, however, the need for allowances on such things as water regulations, which are clearly aimed at modern homes with appliances.
I did enjoy the personal account of the author’s time with the Stoltzfus family. The conversations and the daily chores gave a glimpse into the life of an Amish family. I would have like to hear more about the daily life of the women. Overall, it is an enjoyable book and underscores some important issues plaguing Lancaster County.