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Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,084 listener ratings
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On Monday morning, October 2, 2006, a gunman entered a one-room Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. In front of twenty-five horrified pupils, thirty-two-year-old Charles Roberts ordered the boys and the teacher to leave. After tying the legs of the ten remaining girls, Roberts prepared to shoot them execution style with an automatic rifle and four hundred rounds of ammunition. The oldest hostage, a thirteen-year-old, begged Roberts to "shoot me first and let the little ones go." Refusing her offer, he opened fire on all of them, killing five and leaving the others critically wounded. He then shot himself as police stormed the building. His motivation? "I'm angry at God for taking my little daughter," he told the children before the massacre.
The Amish community's remarkable responseto this horrific shooting stunned the larger world.Amish Gracetells the incredible story of this community's reaction to the senseless crime and explores its profoundly countercultural practice of forgiveness.
Outsiders often hold a stereotypical view of the Amish as a stubbornly backwards 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.
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"The ability to forgive is a personal quality much lacking in our society but not easily developed. The Amish can certainly teach us something about this much diminished characteristic. Great book by an author who is an expert in Amish life."
— Jary (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“In a world where repaying evil with evil is almost second nature, the Amish remind us there’s a better way.”
— Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking -
“This intelligent, compassionate, and hopeful book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on forgiveness.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“[A] work that nourishes both mind and soul.”
— Library Journal -
“At times difficult to read, this anguished and devastating account of a national tragedy and a hopeful, life-affirming lesson in how to live is itself a marvel of grace.”
— Booklist -
“A story our polarized country needs to hear: It is still grace that saves.”
— Bill Moyers, New York Times bestselling author
Amish Grace Listener Reviews
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" Forgiveness can be so difficult, and this book was a great read in understanding the relationship I have with forgiveness. I read it with my Aunt, and we had some wonderful discussions about the novel. "
— Spook, 2/17/2014 -
" Fascinating look at Amish culture and religion but I found a lot of it needlessly repetitive; with even the same quotes being used multiple times. "
— Erin, 2/11/2014 -
" A humbling story of forgiveness. Really inspiring and thoughtful. "
— Amanda, 2/4/2014 -
" I loved this book great story couldn't put it down "
— Laeona, 1/29/2014 -
" Another book club pick. This book was much better than I expected it be based on the "NOW A LIFETIME MOVIE!" on the cover. It's a non-melodramatic, sort of sociological look at the 2006 school shooting that targeted an Old Order Amish one-room schoolhouse in Pennsylvania and the Amish community's response. The retelling of the actual shooting was not overly horrifying to read (I have become SO sensitive to portrayals of harm coming to children since becoming a parent but this was not super graphic) and the exploration of what the Amish believe about forgiveness, the world around them, their own community, etc was interesting and balanced and thoughtful. "
— Julia, 1/28/2014 -
" Certainly makes me consider my theology on forgiveness and community "
— Debby, 1/25/2014 -
" Learned a fair amount about Amish culture and their beliefs about forgiveness. They have much to teach us about the process of forgiveness. "
— Cate, 1/25/2014 -
" The story is so impressive, it overshadows the blips in writing style. Forgiveness, it's unfathomable without God's grace. "
— Cynthia, 1/16/2014 -
" I heard two of the authors in May at a conference. Their presentation enticed me to read the book. A nice explanation of Amish faith and practice, with the context of this tragic schoolhouse murder several years ago. "
— Rhonda, 1/11/2014 -
" Interesting, fascinating, intriguing and well written. Truly an amazing and inspiring story on how the Amish responded to one of the most horrific moments in their history. "
— Cinnik, 12/14/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading of how the Amish responded with forgiveness at Nickel Mines and in other situations, but found the historical information to be a bit repetitive and dry at points. Overall this was a worthwhile read though. "
— Jill, 9/13/2013 -
" Tremendous book... very thought-provoking and humbling. It is inspiring and horrific at the same time. Well-written and respectful. I loved this book and it will be a permanent addition to my home collection. "
— Kristen, 5/20/2013 -
" Best lesson in forgiveness. The best thing man can aspire to besides honesty "
— Mikayla, 1/3/2013 -
" Any book that generates this much thought deserves a 5. "
— Nadia, 6/28/2012 -
" It was an interesting perspective and gave insight into another peculiar people. "
— Amanda, 1/11/2012 -
" It was a fine read but not a page-turner. Honestly, I felt like I was reading a college thesis but certainly some thought provoking ideas, especially in thinking how I live my own life. "
— Brittany, 10/9/2011 -
" Really inspirational story. My only fault with the book was that it seemed a bit repetitive. "
— Breana, 9/24/2011 -
" This was kind of a deep book, and I found myself having to re-read paragraphs. Chapters also tend to repeat the same ideas. Overall it was good and informative. "
— Camille, 9/3/2011 -
" This gave great insight into the Amish community and how they come together as a people to find their "new normal". A very positive book on an ugly event. "
— Christi, 8/6/2011 -
" Very well presented and respectful thesis. Read at your own risk, it just may change you for the better. "
— Natalie, 2/9/2011 -
" Should be read by everyone. All of us need to learn to forgive...to save the world. "
— Carolyn, 9/1/2010
About the Authors
Donald B. Kraybill, PhD, is senior fellow at the Young Center of Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. Among his many publications, he has authored, coauthored, or edited six books on the Amish.
Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. His book, The Overstory, won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.
David L. Weaver-Zercher, PhD, is associate professor of American religious history at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. He has written or edited numerous books on the Amish.
About Richard Powers
Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.