Best Books on the Amish and Mennonites, in Order
This curriculum moves from accessible cultural introductions through theological and historical depth, then into ethnographic and sociological analysis of change and tension within Amish and Mennonite communities. Each stage builds the vocabulary — plain life, Ordnung, Gelassenheit, Anabaptism — needed to fully appreciate the more scholarly works that follow.
First Glimpses: Culture and Daily Life
BeginnerBuild a vivid, ground-level picture of what Amish and Mennonite life actually looks and feels like before tackling history or theology.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 6–8 weeks total: Weeks 1–5 for "Amish Society" (~25–30 pages/day, reading in focused chapters), Weeks 6–8 for "Plain and Simple" (~20–25 pages/day, journaling alongside as you read).
- Ordnung: the unwritten (and sometimes written) code of rules that governs every aspect of Amish daily life, dress, technology use, and community behavior, as detailed by Hostetler
- Gelassenheit (yielding/submission): the foundational Amish value of surrendering individual will to God, community, and tradition — the spiritual engine behind the outward plainness Hostetler describes
- Community as identity: how the church district, not the individual household, functions as the basic social unit, shaping work, worship, mutual aid, and discipline
- Technology and boundary-drawing: Hostetler's analysis of why the Amish accept some technologies and reject others — not anti-progress per se, but a deliberate filter protecting community cohesion
- Plain dress as living symbol: clothing as a daily, embodied statement of humility, group belonging, and separation from 'the world,' explored in both Hostetler's sociological lens and Bender's personal reaction
- The outsider's gaze and transformation: Bender's memoir models how an urban, achievement-driven American is disoriented — then quietly changed — by immersion in Amish rhythms of work, silence, and simplicity
- Rhythm and ritual in daily life: how ordinary acts (quilting, farming, cooking, worship, barn-raising) carry communal and spiritual weight rather than being merely functional
- Diversity within plainness: Hostetler's distinctions between Old Order Amish, Amish-Mennonite, and related Mennonite groups, preventing the reader from treating 'plain people' as a monolith
- According to Hostetler, what is the Ordnung and how does it function differently from a written legal code? Give two concrete examples of life areas it governs.
- How does Hostetler explain the Amish approach to technology — what is the underlying principle that determines what gets accepted or rejected, and what example best illustrates it?
- What does Gelassenheit mean, and how does Hostetler connect this single concept to outward practices like dress, farming methods, and responses to conflict?
- In 'Plain and Simple,' what specific aspects of Amish daily life most unsettle or challenge Sue Bender, and what does her discomfort reveal about mainstream American values she had previously taken for granted?
- Both books portray Amish work (quilting, farming, household tasks) as meaningful rather than merely productive. What makes it meaningful, according to each author's perspective?
- After reading both books, how would you describe the difference between the Amish and Mennonite communities to someone who had never heard of either? Use details from Hostetler to support your answer.
- Ordnung mapping: After finishing Hostetler's chapters on daily life, create a one-page visual map or table listing at least 10 Ordnung rules he mentions, grouped by life domain (dress, technology, worship, education, etc.). Note which feel surprising and why.
- Parallel reading journal: While reading 'Plain and Simple,' keep a small notebook. Each reading session, write 2–3 sentences from Bender's perspective AND 2–3 sentences from a hypothetical Amish host's perspective on the same scene. This builds empathy in both directions.
- Technology audit: Inspired by Hostetler's analysis, spend one day noting every technology you use and ask, for each one: 'Would this strengthen or weaken community bonds?' Write a one-paragraph reflection on what the exercise revealed.
- Vocabulary card set: Build a set of 10–15 index cards for key terms from Hostetler (Gelassenheit, Ordnung, Meidung, Rumspringa, church district, etc.) — definition on one side, a real example from the book on the other. Quiz yourself before moving to Bender.
- Comparative character sketch: After finishing both books, write a one-page profile of a single fictional Amish woman as she might be described by (a) Hostetler the sociologist and (b) Bender the memoir writer. Notice what each lens captures and misses.
- Discussion or reflection prompt: Bender titles her book 'Plain and Simple' — two words that sound synonymous but may not be. Write a 300-word response arguing whether Amish life, as portrayed across both books, is truly 'simple,' or whether that word is too easy a label.
Next up: By grounding you in the sights, rhythms, and values of daily plain life through Hostetler's sociology and Bender's lived experience, this stage gives you the concrete reference points needed to make sense of the historical events and theological controversies that shaped — and continue to reshape — Amish and Mennonite communities.
The foundational classic on Amish life — covers history, beliefs, family, and community in one authoritative volume. Reading it first gives you the full map of the landscape.
A warm, personal account of an outsider living among the Amish; its accessible narrative voice eases beginners into plain-life values like simplicity and community before heavier texts.
Roots: Anabaptist Origins and Theology
BeginnerUnderstand where Amish and Mennonites came from — the 16th-century Radical Reformation, martyrdom, and the core theological convictions that still shape plain communities today.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 6–8 weeks, ~25–30 pages/day. Read "The Anabaptist Story" (weeks 1–4, ~350 pages), then "Martyrs Mirror" (weeks 5–8, ~1,000+ pages, slower pace for dense material and reflection).
- The Radical Reformation as a distinct movement separate from both Catholic and Protestant reform, emphasizing adult baptism and separation of church and state
- Core Anabaptist theological convictions: believer's baptism (credobaptism), discipleship, pacifism, and the priesthood of all believers
- The role of martyrdom in Anabaptist identity and how persecution shaped their theology and community practices
- Key figures in early Anabaptism (Menno Simons, Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz) and their contributions to Anabaptist thought
- The connection between 16th-century Anabaptist theology and modern Amish/Mennonite practices (plain dress, community, nonresistance)
- How 'Martyrs Mirror' functions as a sacred text that preserves Anabaptist memory and reinforces theological commitments through witness accounts
- The geographic spread and fragmentation of Anabaptist communities across Europe and the emergence of distinct branches
- The concept of Gelassenheit (yielding to God's will) as foundational to Anabaptist ethics and community life
- What distinguished the Anabaptist movement from both Catholic and Protestant reformers in the 16th century?
- Why was believer's baptism (rather than infant baptism) so central to Anabaptist theology, and what did it symbolize?
- How did persecution and martyrdom shape Anabaptist theology and identity, as documented in 'Martyrs Mirror'?
- Name three key early Anabaptist leaders discussed in 'The Anabaptist Story' and explain their theological contributions.
- What is Gelassenheit, and how does it connect to Anabaptist convictions about discipleship and nonresistance?
- How do the theological commitments outlined in 'The Anabaptist Story' directly explain modern Amish and Mennonite practices?
- Create a timeline of major events in the Radical Reformation (1520s–1600s) using 'The Anabaptist Story,' marking key figures, theological developments, and persecution events.
- Write a 1–2 page comparison of Anabaptist, Catholic, and Protestant positions on baptism, church authority, and the state—use specific passages from Estep's book.
- Select 3–5 martyr accounts from 'Martyrs Mirror' and analyze what theological convictions each martyr's final words or actions reveal.
- Create a concept map connecting Anabaptist theology (believer's baptism, pacifism, Gelassenheit) to observable modern Amish/Mennonite practices (plain dress, community discipline, nonresistance).
- Write a reflective journal entry from the perspective of an early Anabaptist (using details from both books) explaining why they chose to be rebaptized despite the risk of execution.
- Prepare a 10–15 minute oral summary of 'The Anabaptist Story' for someone unfamiliar with the movement, highlighting why it matters for understanding plain communities today.
Next up: This stage establishes the theological and historical foundation—the "why" behind Amish and Mennonite identity—preparing you to explore how these communities have lived out those convictions across centuries and geographies in subsequent stages.
A clear, narrative history of the Anabaptist movement from Zurich onward; establishes the theological DNA — adult baptism, nonresistance, separation from the world — that explains every later Amish and Mennonite practice.
The defining devotional text of Anabaptist identity, read in plain homes for centuries; even dipping into it reveals why suffering, faithfulness, and community solidarity are so central to the tradition.
The Ordnung: Rules, Ritual, and Plain Living
IntermediateGrasp how the Ordnung (the unwritten code of conduct) structures every dimension of plain life, and how Gelassenheit (yielding to God and community) underpins it all.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 4–5 weeks, ~25–30 pages/day, with 2–3 days per week for reflection and exercises
- Gelassenheit as the theological and cultural foundation: yielding to God's will and community authority over individual autonomy
- The Ordnung as an unwritten, evolving code that governs dress, technology, social interaction, and spiritual practice—enforced through community consensus rather than written law
- How grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation (central to Amish theology) shape responses to conflict, crime, and moral failure
- The role of Shunning (Meidung) and church discipline as expressions of community boundaries and spiritual accountability
- Plain dress and material simplicity as visible markers of humility, separation from worldly values, and submission to community standards
- The tension between tradition and pragmatic adaptation: how the Ordnung changes while maintaining core values
- Amish approaches to suffering, forgiveness, and non-resistance as lived theology, not abstract doctrine
- How Kraybill's comparative framework (Amish vs. mainstream American values) illuminates the distinctiveness of plain living
- What is Gelassenheit, and how does it differ from Western individualism? How does it shape Amish decision-making about technology, dress, and community life?
- What is the Ordnung, and why is it unwritten rather than codified? How does it function as a living, adaptive code?
- How do Amish concepts of grace and forgiveness inform their response to crime and wrongdoing, as illustrated in Amish Grace?
- What is Meidung (shunning), and what role does it play in maintaining community boundaries and spiritual discipline?
- How do plain dress codes and material simplicity reflect deeper theological commitments? What do they communicate about values and identity?
- What are the key tensions between preserving tradition and allowing pragmatic change in Amish communities? Give specific examples from the books.
- Create a visual map of the Ordnung: list 8–10 specific rules or practices (e.g., dress codes, technology restrictions, worship practices) and trace how each one reflects either Gelassenheit, humility, or separation from the world. Use evidence from both books.
- Write a comparative analysis (2–3 pages): choose one area of life (e.g., technology use, conflict resolution, or dress) and contrast how Amish and mainstream American approaches differ. Ground it in Kraybill's framework from both texts.
- Conduct a 'Gelassenheit audit' of your own life: identify 3–5 decisions you make daily where you prioritize individual choice over community/authority. Reflect on how an Amish person might approach these differently and why.
- Analyze the Nickel Mines case study from Amish Grace in detail: write a 2–3 page reflection on how Gelassenheit, forgiveness, and the Ordnung shaped the Amish community's response. What surprised you? What challenged your assumptions?
- Interview or research a Mennonite or Amish person (if possible) about one specific Ordnung rule in their community—why it exists, how it's enforced, and whether it's changing. Alternatively, find a documented account in the books and write up a case study.
- Create a 'day in the life' narrative (500–700 words) showing how the Ordnung and Gelassenheit structure a single day for an Amish family. Include specific moments of decision-making, worship, work, and social interaction.
Next up: This stage grounds you in the lived theology and social structures of Amish life, preparing you to explore in the next stage how these communities navigate change, interact with the wider world, and sustain their identity across generations.
Uses the 2006 Nickel Mines school shooting as a lens to examine Amish theology in action — forgiveness, humility, and community — making abstract concepts like Gelassenheit deeply concrete.
A direct, systematic exploration of Amish spirituality and the Ordnung by the field's leading scholar; best read after Amish Grace because you now have an emotional anchor for the concepts.
Rumspringa and the Question of Leaving
IntermediateUnderstand the rumspringa period, the reality of young Amish navigating identity and choice, and what it means to leave — or stay — in a plain community.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 4–5 weeks, ~40–50 pages/day. Start with "Rumspringa" (approximately 200 pages) over 2 weeks, then "Growing up Amish" (approximately 300 pages) over 2–3 weeks, allowing time for reflection between books.
- Rumspringa as a culturally sanctioned period of exploration and testing, not a free-for-all, with specific expectations and boundaries set by Amish communities
- The psychological and emotional experience of young Amish people navigating identity formation, peer pressure, and the pull between two worlds
- The role of family relationships, church authority, and community accountability in shaping the decision to stay or leave
- The concrete realities of leaving: economic barriers, education gaps, social isolation, and the difficulty of integration into mainstream society
- The diversity of rumspringa experiences across different Amish communities and individual circumstances
- The spiritual and existential dimensions of the choice to join the church (be baptized) or leave the community
- The lasting consequences of leaving or staying: identity, relationships, and belonging
- What is rumspringa, and how does Shachtman's account in 'Rumspringa' challenge common stereotypes about this period?
- According to Wagler's 'Growing up Amish,' what internal and external pressures influenced his own decision-making during his rumspringa years?
- How do family dynamics and parental expectations shape whether young Amish people choose to stay in or leave their communities?
- What are the practical obstacles (economic, educational, social) that young people face if they decide to leave, as illustrated in both books?
- How do the experiences described in 'Rumspringa' and 'Growing up Amish' compare in terms of community variation and individual agency?
- What does it mean spiritually and culturally to be baptized into the Amish church, and why is this decision so consequential?
- Create a timeline of key events in Ira Wagler's rumspringa journey from 'Growing up Amish,' noting the turning points that shaped his eventual decision to leave, and compare it to one profile from Shachtman's 'Rumspringa.'
- Write a reflective essay (500–750 words) from the perspective of a young person in either book at a critical decision point, exploring the internal conflict between staying and leaving.
- Map out the 'two worlds' concept: create a visual comparison of mainstream American culture versus Amish community values as portrayed in both books, noting where tensions arise.
- Interview someone (if possible) who has experience with Amish or Mennonite communities, or write interview questions you would ask a character from either book about their rumspringa experience and decision.
- Analyze a specific passage from each book that reveals the emotional or spiritual weight of the stay/leave decision, and write a short analysis of how each author conveys this tension.
- Create a resource guide for a young Amish person considering leaving: based on the challenges described in both books, what practical support (education, job training, housing, counseling) would help ease the transition?
Next up: This stage equips you with intimate knowledge of individual choice and community pressure within Amish life, preparing you to examine the broader theological, historical, and social structures that shape Amish and Mennonite identity in the next stage.
The most thorough journalistic account of the rumspringa phenomenon; corrects popular myths and gives real portraits of Amish youth facing the decision to be baptized or leave.
A memoir by a man who left and returned and left again — an intimate, honest counterpoint to Shachtman's outsider view, showing the emotional cost of the choice from the inside.
Change, Modernity, and the Future of Plain Communities
ExpertAnalyze how Amish and Mennonite communities negotiate technology, economics, and cultural pressure — and what sociologists and historians say about their long-term trajectory.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 8–10 weeks total: Weeks 1–5 cover "Amish Society in the Twenty-First Century" (~25–30 pages/day, 4–5 days/week); Weeks 6–10 cover "The Mennonite Experience in America" (~20–25 pages/day, 4–5 days/week). Allow one buffer day per week for note review and reflection.
- Selective Modernization: How Amish communities, as documented by Kraybill, deliberately adopt or reject specific technologies based on community discernment rather than blanket rejection of modernity
- Ordnung as a Living Document: The role of the Ordnung (community rules) as a dynamic, negotiated framework — not a static rulebook — that governs how change is absorbed or resisted
- Negotiated Boundaries: Kraybill's concept of how Amish bishops, families, and districts engage in ongoing negotiation over where the line between 'world' and 'community' is drawn
- Economic Adaptation: How Amish cottage industries, small businesses, and non-farm livelihoods have reshaped community identity and financial independence without wholesale assimilation
- Mennonite Assimilation Spectrum: Schlabach's analysis of how Mennonites in America span a wide spectrum from 'plain' to fully acculturated, and the historical forces — wars, migration, education — that drove that divergence
- Anabaptist Theological Roots as an Anchor: How shared theological commitments (nonresistance, community, simplicity) function as a stabilizing identity even as outward practices change across both traditions
- Sociological Forecasting: What demographers and sociologists cited in both books project about population growth, retention rates, and the long-term viability of plain communities
- Cultural Pressure and Identity Retention: The role of external cultural forces (consumerism, digital media, legal challenges) in accelerating or complicating internal community decision-making
- According to Kraybill, what is the primary mechanism by which Amish communities decide whether to adopt a new technology, and how does this differ from how mainstream society approaches innovation?
- How does Kraybill describe the economic transformation of Amish communities away from farming, and what does he argue are the social consequences of that shift for community cohesion?
- What does Schlabach identify as the key historical turning points — particularly around World War I and II — that accelerated Mennonite assimilation into mainstream American culture?
- How do Kraybill and Schlabach each characterize the relationship between theological identity and outward 'plainness' — do they agree that one can exist without the other?
- Based on the sociological data presented in both books, what are the strongest indicators of long-term community survival for plain groups, and what are the greatest threats?
- How do the experiences of Amish communities (Kraybill) and Mennonite communities (Schlabach) differ in their strategies for managing the tension between tradition and modernity?
- Technology Audit Journal: After reading Kraybill's chapters on technology negotiation, create a two-column chart listing 10 specific technologies and, for each, write (a) the Amish community's documented stance and (b) the reasoning Kraybill attributes to that decision. This trains you to think in terms of community logic rather than outsider assumptions.
- Ordnung Simulation: Draft a one-page mock 'Ordnung update' for a fictional Amish district facing a specific modern dilemma (e.g., smartphones for business use). Use Kraybill's framework of community discernment to structure the reasoning — who speaks, what values are weighed, and what the outcome might be.
- Assimilation Timeline (Schlabach): Build a visual timeline of Mennonite experience in America using Schlabach's narrative. Mark at least 8 key events or periods and annotate each with the primary cultural or theological force driving change at that moment.
- Comparative Essay (500–700 words): After finishing both books, write a short essay comparing how Kraybill's Amish and Schlabach's Mennonites have each responded to economic modernity. Use at least one specific example from each book as evidence.
- Retention Rate Reflection: Using the demographic data discussed in both books, write a one-page prediction of what plain communities might look like in 2075. Identify which factors from your reading you find most persuasive, and which claims you find uncertain or underdeveloped.
- Vocabulary & Concept Glossary: Maintain a running glossary of 15–20 terms encountered across both books (e.g., Gelassenheit, Ordnung, nonresistance, rumspringa, conference affiliation). Write each definition in your own words and note the page or chapter where it first became meaningful to you.
Next up: By understanding how plain communities actively negotiate — rather than passively resist — modernity through the lenses Kraybill and Schlabach provide, the reader is now equipped to engage with more specialized or primary-source material on specific sub-communities, theological debates, or comparative religious sociology in subsequent stages.
Kraybill's most up-to-date synthesis, examining population growth, occupational shifts, and the diversity of Amish affiliations; requires all prior stages to fully appreciate its nuance.
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