‘Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life’ by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Book Review and Giveaway

The Amish community has been an interest/passion of mine since I visited the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area as a young person. So when I am near an Amish community or have the opportunity to learn more about them, I take advantage! One of my favorite new authors, Suzanne Woods Fisher, has just released a beautiful new book, ‘Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life.’ Favorite author + Amish community = I’m there!

Here’s a synopsis of this lovely book:

          Simplify your life with Amish wisdom.

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that cover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living – but they’re not just for the Amish. They’re for anyone who seeks God’s wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life’s joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

Here is the biography of the author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher first became interested in the culture of the Plain People through her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She had a warm relationship with her Dunkard cousins and asks them many questions, which they patiently answer.

Fisher is the author of Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World and the bestselling novel, The Choice, the first in her Lancaster County Secrets series. Her work has appeared in many magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, Christian Parenting Today, Marriage Partnership, and many others. Suzanne  lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay area. She loves to hear from her readers.

In the Introduction, Suzanne explains that we all need wisdom:

These sayings and proverbs, dear to the Amish, can help the English (non-Amish) better understand them. For example, here are two proverbs that reveal how the Amish value the virtue of patience: “Only when a squirrel buries and forgets an acorn, can a new oak tree come forth,” and “Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.”

Proverbs are just as useful in our life today as they are to Old Order Amish families. They’re just as relevant to us as they were to the Israelites in King Solomon’s day. They help point us toward wisdom, toward good judgment, towards God’s teachings. To please God, we must know what he values; what does he care about? What does he love? What does he hate? Proverbs teach us about God. (p. 13)

This book is divided into several categories: Time, Money, Faith, Children & Family, In Word & Deed, Work Ethic, Handling Adversity, Education, Community, Character and Just for Fun.

Here are a few from the Faith section:

·         Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not.

·         It may be difficult to wait on the Lord, but it is worse to wish you had.

·         He who bows lowest in the presence of God stands straightest in the presence of sin. (p. 47)

And here are a few from the ‘In Word & Deed’ section:

·         All that you do, do with your might. Things done by halves are never done right.

·         Swallowing words before you say them is so much better than having to eat them afterward.

·         When you speak, always remember that God is one of your listeners. (p. 86)

And these are from the Community chapter:

·         It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

·         Swallowing pride rarely gives you indigestion.

·         Many things have been opened by mistake, but none so frequently as the mouth. (p. 180)

And, finally, from the Just for Fun chapter:

·         Every family tree has a little sap.

·         Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

·         Those who have no children know best how to raise them. (p. 197)

This is the second book from Suzanne that I have read; the first was ‘The Choice,’ Book One in her Lancaster County Secrets series (you can read my review here). Book Two in the Lancaster County Secrets series is ‘The Waiting;’ I am waiting until it releases on October 1, 2010!

I appreciated the fact that Suzanne and the publisher honored the wishes of the Amish, who do not believe in having their faces photographed. There are many photos in this book, but they all show the Amish from the side or back views.

I highly recommend this book. It is full of wisdom, and so beautifully written and designed! It would be perfect for a gift for anyone for any occasion – everyone needs more wisdom!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Revell Publishers and provided by them for review and giveaway purposes.

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I have a copy of this absolutely beautiful book that I would love to send along to one winner! 

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, sharing with us a proverb that has reverberated in your family. Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back!  If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter!  Please limit one entry per option.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!