In Plain View: Amish Women at a Glance by Judy Stavisky provides information on the day to day lives of Amish families. Judy spent time with the Amish in Lancaster County to get a firsthand look at their busy lives. The book is easy to read thanks to the author's casual writing style. She recounts the stories like she is chatting with friends. We learn about the clothing the Amish wear, where they purchase their fabric, where they do their grocery shopping, schooling, appliances, gardens, canning, and so much more. We see the complexities of their life as well as the joys. The Amish live in close knit communities where faith and family are foremost. It is a daunting task to feed a large Amish family. I cannot imagine the long, hot hours spent in a kitchen canning produce and meat. There are pictures as well. We get to see what it is like to live without modern technology (no air conditioning, microwave, dish washer, a dryer, a regular washing machine). You can tell that the author spent many hours with the Amish. It is clear that she developed friendships and respects their lifestyle. In Plain View is for anyone who is curious about the Amish and the way they live.

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