My Amish Childhood
Jerry S. Eicher

Book Summary: Bestselling fiction author Jerry S. Eicher (nearly half a million books sold) turns his pen to a moving memoir of his life growing up Amish. Jerry's mother was nineteen years old and nine months married when he was born. She had received Grandfather Stoll's permission for the wedding because she agreed to help out on the farm the following year. However, with Jerry on the way, those plans failed. Jerry recounts his first two years of school in the Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario and his parents' decision to move to Honduras. Life in that beautiful Central American country is seen through an Amish boy's eyes―and then the dark days when the community failed and the family returned to America, much to young Jerry's regret. Jerry also tells of his struggle as a stutterer and his eventual conversion to Christ and the reasons for his departure from the childhood faith he knew. Here is a must-read for not just Jerry's fiction fans, but also for readers curious about Amish life.

Review: I will admit this is my first Jerry Eicher book. I loved his writing style and his ability to weave a perfect story around his growing up years. He has a way of making the mundane sound so interesting. It is like I am sitting in his living room telling these stories. He truly had an exciting childhood. His time in Central America was so very interesting in how they set up this community and the fun he and his family had. I love how he weaves in how the very things in his childhood led him away from the Amish life. It sounded mostly due to the stricter orders than the one his family was part of in Central America. To me it sounded like an ideal lifestyle of working together, family, and faith. The life in Central America could be a mirror to the Amish life, except for their worship styles. I think anytime someone can write an autobiography or biography and make it seem like a casual visit to that home is a winner.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Harvest House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )

I often wondered about Jerry’s life. He was raised Amish, yet he is so unlike so many I have come to know. He lived I an Amish community in Canada. His parents decided to move them to Central America, the country of Honduras. One thing we learn is that the Amish community in Honduras wasn’t as rigid as a lot of Amish communities. I have learned by living just a few blocks up the street from an Amish and Mennonite community in Sarasota, that they are nothing like those in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. There were a lot of cultural differences for him to adjust to as well. When I read that his neighbors considered stealing from each other okay, I was reminded of countries like Brazil where cheating is often considered okay in the business world.

Jerry had an issue with stuttering and was bullied for it as well. I found it quite humorous to find out he got even in many ways and never really got caught. One thing I really enjoyed were the pictures sprinkled throughout.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

A Spell Binding Read!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started to read this book. Wow, what a ride it was. The author described his life growing up in rural Honduras with such in sight that I could actually see the beauty and the ruggedness of the country. He spun an awesome story of what life was like in a poor country.

The excitement of every day living was apparent. Parts of his story held me spellbound in terror of some of the goings on in this poor country. The locals took matters in their own hands. If they wanted something that belonged to you, it didn’t matter, they took it. A lot of thieving went on.

There are parts in this book that had me laughing out loud as I could appreciate the antics of the author as a young boy. He must have given his Mamm many nights of grief! There are also parts of this story that had me feeling sympathy for the quiet boy with the stuttering problem and the shame he felt.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was touched by his sharing of his conversion to Christ. I could feel for him with his guilt over his past sins and the tears that freely flowed. It is something all of us being followers of Christ has felt and gone through.

I for one enjoyed growing up Amish with Jerry and I hope all those who read this review will buy this book and enjoy it too!

I received this book from Harvest House Publishers and the author, Jerry Eicher in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. ( )