Amish Grace

How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy

By: Donald B. Kraybill Ph. D., Steven M. Nolt Ph. D., David L. Weaver-Zercher Ph. D.

Narrated by: Richard Powers

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The remarkable response of the Amish Community to the horrific shooting of 10 schoolgirls at Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in October 2006 stunned the larger world. Amish Grace tells the incredible story of this community's reaction to the senseless shooting and explores its profoundly countercultural practice of forgiveness.

Outsiders often hold a stereotypical view of the Amish as a stubbornly backward people - a view rooted in the picturesque images of buggies, beards, and bonnets. But the community's collective and radical act of forgiveness - the loving and compassionate response to the shooter and his family - gives us insights into who the Amish truly are and how they live their faith.

In a world where religion spawns so much violence and vengeance, the surprising act of Amish forgiveness begs for deeper consideration.

©2007 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This intelligent, compassionate, and hopeful book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on forgiveness." (Publishers Weekly)

“A story our polarized country needs to hear: It is still grace that saves.” (Bill Moyers)

“[A] work that nourishes both mind and soul.” (Library Journal)

Historian

As an avid reader of Amish fiction I found the information good. it was an horrific event in the Amish history.

Imagine A World Full Of Amish Grace!

As a person of Christian faith, I thought that I had it in me to be forgiving and full of faith, but I don't think I can hold a candle to the Amish.

Wow... I admire my Amish Brothers and Sisters in their ability to maintain such a focus and faith. I know that they are not perfect, but if we could adopt just a few more aspects and disciplines of the Amish faith, this world could be such a better place!!!

A very good read!!!

A Great Book

Amish Grace was incredibly written. A great book to read/listen to. I learned something that has had a profound affect on me. The myth and mystery was dispelled and a greater understanding gained about the Amish.

Well written, informative and thought provoking.

I have gained a deeper respect for the Amish people, their faith, and their unwavering believe in the power of forgiveness. Though they live a lifestyle that may be simpler than mine their faith in God, love for family, and commitment to Christ's commandments stand as an example that shines bright in a needy wotld.

Informative

This book is filled with many details about the shooting of the Amish and their beliefs. So I enjoyed this book but I found it Very enduring to get to the end because it was very Monotonous of the same details over and over again. Or I should say very similar details. If I was not very interested in learning about the Amish I would have quit listening to it long ago

Amish Grace

This is a most touching book about the murders of children and how the Amish Grace could forgive and love the family of the murderer. This book creates in you a desire to examine your own ability to forgive- and I found myself alittle short in the area. I loved this book.

this book is full of forgiveness.

What did you love best about Amish Grace?

i have read many amish books. i love their simple lives.

Have you listened to any of Paul Michael Garcia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

how 60 seconds can change a life.

Any additional comments?

i think the amish are the most forgiving people i have ever studies. i wish that for everyone. many problems would be solved with their grace.

Stunning

What a review of the culture and theology behind this community’s response to tragedy. Their response to life.
A kindly academic approach to exploring a rather tender and religious subject matter. Beautifully presented

Turned heartbreak into hope for me

This book works at two levels. First, it's a very helpful book in understanding who the Amish are and why they do things so differently. Very few people live their lives as in tune with their faith as the Amish do.

Second, of course, is the tragedy of the schoolhouse shooting. I don't think I'll ever understand that. But the horror turned to incredible outpouring of grace from those who lost loved ones in this. This was utterly shocking to the world, because it seems so much against our "human nature". This book digs down deep into what it means to be Amish, and how and why their natural response was so forgiving and loving. It stands as a challenge to me to examine my faith and ask why that faith does not inform my actions more. I think it also asks the question larger -- how can we create a more loving and supporting community?

What a Blessing

Amish Grace helped me to examine myself and how I treat my family and the people I meet daily. It is a historical account of a horrible tragedy, and how a group of grieving Plain People showed unconditional love and forgivness to outsiders that invaded their simple world.
Amish Grace explains the "whys" of the Amish customs better than any book I have read. I highly recommend this audio book.