Growing Up Amish: A Memoir
New York Times eBook bestseller!One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in...
show more
New York Times eBook bestseller!One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life—from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26. Growing Up Amish is the true story of one man’s quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this charming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the most enigmatic cultures in America today—the Old Order Amish.
show less
Format: paperback
ISBN:
9781414339368 (1414339364)
ASIN: 1414339364
Publish date: April 1st 2012
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pages no: 272
Edition language: English
Born into an Old Order Amish community in Canada, Ira was the ninth of eleven children. Content as a child, as Ira grew older he became restless and unhappy being Amish. He left four times before finally leaving for good at age 26.Besides Growing Up Amish, I've read three other books about people wh...
This biography tells the story of Wagler's Amish upbringing and his struggle between the comfort of his traditional life on one hand and the freedom of the outside world in the other hand.This memoir was an enjoyable read and was pacy enough to keep the pages turning quickly (I finished it in two si...
Along the lines of repressive religious cultures, the Amish at least aren't as frightening as the FLDS. Girls grow up before marrying and everyone seems to get enough to eat. But, to borrow Wagler's simile, being Amish is like living in a box. And not in that cool danceable box from the early 90s (I...
Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the author's journey and a look into the Amish world.I am hoping there will be a sequel!
I have been reading a lot of Amish stories here lately as it is like a different world for me. I was fascinated with Ira’s account of his 10 year struggle with his life as being Amish. Through Ira’s eyes I got to see more of what they believe in, how things work and how it is common for people who...
Log in with Facebook 
