Old Order Amish

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This work presents an authentic portrait of the Amish through striking photographs and honest accounts of their daily lives and enduring traditions. Photographer Lucian Niemeyer earned the trust of Amish families in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County by helping them harvest crops, gaining acceptance in a community that traditionally shuns photography. Encouraged by his Amish friends to correct misconceptions about their ways, Niemeyer created a sensitive photographic record using only natural light, resulting in unprecedented images of families, community gatherings, and the interiors of Amish homes and schools. These photographs capture the simplicity and beauty of Amish life. Accompanying the images, Donald Kraybill, author of the acclaimed Riddle of Amish Culture, provides a compelling narrative that offers insights into contemporary Old Order Amish life. His introduction outlines how this traditional community has thrived amidst modernity. Through thirty-five vignettes, Kraybill explores Amish perspectives on topics such as childbirth, women entrepreneurs, farm machinery, and the politics of separation. His concluding essay reflects on the fascination modern observers have with the Amish and their values.