Homespun: Amish and Mennonite Women in Their Own Words

Craker (Money Secrets of the Amish), who considers herself “just a simple Mennonite girl from the prairies,” gathers essays by Mennonite and Amish women into a revealing and wide-ranging resource. Through her introductions to each section and essays themselves, Craker and the contributing authors describe a culture based on faith in Jesus and Scripture, and a life based on prudence, compassion, and community. The 36 essays are divided into six sections, with a welcome note opening the book because Craker states that “a deep sense of hospitality is fundamental to these women.” Within each section, essays include plain and simple fare such as Rhoda Yoder’s homage to her farmer father, humorous accounts such as Mary Troyer’s musing on stretchy pants, and keenly poetic entries such as Sheila Petre’s rumination on doubt, describing God’s design for the “castle rooms of a columbine” as proof of his expansive power. Some are sermons: “Home is where our souls can rest,” writes Delora Neuschwander, and Samantha Trenkamp preaches on rebuilding from “the shambles of shame.” This eclectic book will interest any reader who’s curious about the plain lifestyle. (Aug.)