Linda Egenes evidently has a passion for the Amish people, adding a degree of warmth to this excursion into the Amish way of life. While at times slipping from commentary to apologetics, this book nevertheless offers a rare glimpse into the not-so-strange ways of an often-misunderstood community.

Various arguments can be made both for and against the Amish culture (none of which is made here with any real force, and quite rightly so), however, on a more basic level, if you simply think the Amish are a group of unsmiling weirdos with peculiar haircuts, I recommend you read this short book, which will introduce you to singing families, frolicking schoolchildren, and quite possibly the most helpful neighbours on earth.