Growing Up Amish: A Memoir Audiobook, by Ira Wagler Play Audiobook Sample

Growing Up Amish: A Memoir Audiobook

Growing Up Amish: A Memoir Audiobook, by Ira Wagler Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Adam Verner Publisher: christianaudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781610454568

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

35

Longest Chapter Length:

26:56 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:48 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

13:07 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Ira Wagler: > View All...

Publisher Description

One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life--from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26. Growing Up Amish is the true story of one man's quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this charming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the most enigmatic cultures in America today--the Old Order Amish.

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"I read this book in one sitting, likely because I felt such compassion for Ira Wagler's dilemma. His courageous struggle to find his faith and his place in the world makes for a thought-provoking memoir. His simple, straight-forward style of sharing the story, with an uncanny ability to assess his feelings as events were unfolding, kept my attention from cover to cover. I found it genuine, touching and uplifting."

— Lois (4 out of 5 stars)

Growing Up Amish Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.14285714285714 out of 53.14285714285714 out of 53.14285714285714 out of 53.14285714285714 out of 53.14285714285714 out of 5 (3.14)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 14
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was an interesting look at one mans struggle with a life journey in a life I am not familiar. "

    — Ann, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An interesting look inside Amish communities and the differences between them. Written in a very simple format, so a quick read. Worth the time to read it. "

    — Pam, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was written my my friend, Ira. I loved it and found it fascinating! "

    — Lori, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book had a really interesting premise and a unique writing style. "

    — Alicia, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good view of Mr. Wagler's struggle who after leaving his parents religion is not only told he is wrong, but that he is sentenced to eternal damnation, and that his parents support his being shunned by the entire religious community unless he begins believing as they do again. My only hesitancy is that I would like to know about the inner workings of the religion. "

    — Gregory, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This wasn't the most well written book, but it was interesting. He definitely dispells the myth of Amish perfection. "

    — Marianna, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book has a lot of really interesting details about Amish life. I really enjoyed the details about the culture. "

    — Jane, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed reading about the Amish. Previously, I did not know much about them. There is not a lot of 'plot' in this memoir, but I found his constant spiritual struggle honest and intriguing. "

    — Jaime, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I was very excited to read this book and learn more about the Amish community. The book turned out to be rather monotonous and quite disappointing. "

    — Mei, 11/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very interesting, although the author description of trying to find himself goes on a long time. "

    — Ruth, 11/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A bit repetitive and self-indulgent. "

    — Gail, 7/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I'm intrigued by the Amish. The book answered many of my questions, and even included pics of Ira's family and friends. I wrote to him via email when I was through reading, and he replied immediately. He asked me to get the word out about his book. "

    — Eileen, 4/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " a good insight into the workings of the Amish community. A good read. "

    — Anne, 4/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Eh...rather dry. I also felt little sympathy/empathy for the author as he told his story. "

    — Jennifer, 4/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. I have always been interested by the Amish Culture and Ira's story was captivating. "

    — Jeanette-marie, 4/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Pick a side already. And stop blaming everyone else for your unhappy life. "

    — Kathy, 4/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Really interesting insights into a "hidden" community. Well written. "

    — Cindy, 2/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not bad. There aren't many first-hand accounts of the Amish. I felt it lacked details though. "

    — Cetta, 12/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Liked it as I am very interested in learning of the Amish culture. I listened to it on audiobook. "

    — Laurie, 12/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A key sentence toward the end of the book: "The box of the Amish life and culture may provide some protection, but it could never bring salvation.". This pretty much sums up the main viewpoint of the book. The first third is a fascinating look into the Amish culture. "

    — Jeff, 7/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not what I expected but ok. Took a while to read because it just was not interesting, but it's nice that the book exists. "

    — Lauren, 6/18/2012

About Ira Wagler

Ira Wagler was born in the small Old Order Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario. At age seventeen, frustrated by the rules and restrictions of Amish life, he got up before dawn, left a note under his pillow, packed his duffel bag, and left. Over the course of the next five years, he would leave and return home numerous times, torn between the ingrained message that abandoning one’s Amish heritage results in eternal damnation and the freedom and possibilities offered by the rest of the world. Only upon becoming a Christian at age twenty-six did he finally leave the Amish for good. He is currently general manager of Graber Supply, LLC, and Pole Building Co. in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

About Adam Verner

Adam Verner is a stage, film, television, and voice actor and an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. He holds a BS in theater arts from Bradley University and an MFA from Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.