Randy-Michael Testa

This book discusses the problems of the Amish in Lancaster County, PA -- a rich farming area, which is becoming more and more developed to the detriment of the Amish. Mr. Testa, a Catholic who became disenchanted with teaching elementary school children of the wealthy in a private school in Colorado, lived for several months among the Amish and actively participated in their life on a farm; moreover, he went back every month while writing about the Amish. He did this study as part of a doctorate program at Harvard; however, the book does not read as a thesis. Much of it is vignettes of experiences he had and stories he heard although the last section deals with the politics of trying to help the Amish retain their way of life by opposing the selling of a farm for a large development. The author discusses the moral issues of commercialism and the permanent loss of valuable rich farming land, especially as it impacts Amish life.

Although this book was published over 20 years ago, it is still a very valuable resource about the Amish.… (más)