Review and Giveaway: Amish Proverbs by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Amish Proverbs is a peaceful and inspiring book, perfect for reading when you need a little pick-me-up, when you want a quiet reality check, or when you simply need to sit down and relax.

The book is a perfect gift book, as it is a small hard-bound book with a beautiful glossy color cover. It contains numerous full-color photographs like the one shown on the cover (I found them all to be peaceful and very enjoyable to look at), and is filled with wonderful Amish proverbs that fall into the following categories: Time, Money, Faith, Children & Family, In Word & Deed, Work Ethic, Handling Adversity, Education, Community, Character, and Just For Fun. Each section begins with a touching story from real-life people that illustrates just what the section is all about. The story is then followed by Amish proverbs that are appropriate for that section.

Some of my favorite proverbs from the book:

~ Don't hurry, don't worry, do your best, leave the rest. (p. 14)
~ When I have nothing left but God, then I find that God is all I need. (p. 55)
~ Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes. (p. 73)
~ Those who fear the future are likely to fumble the present. (p. 105)
~ The secret to getting ahead is getting started. (p. 120)
~ Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. (p. 137)

Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Part of the fun of this book is thinking back about some of my own family's proverbs, like:

~ Treat others as you want to be treated
~ If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all
~ Winning isn't everything, it is important to have fun

Want to win a copy of this beautiful and inspiring book? Good! The publisher sent me an extra copy to share with one lucky reader. See details at the bottom of this post for how to enter...


Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2010) ~ 205 pages
Non-fiction / Inspiration

Edition Reviewed: Hardback - Review and giveaway copies received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

About the Book:

Simplify your life with Amish wisdom

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

From the Book Tour:

Simplify Your Life with Amish Wisdom
Insights into the Amish lifestyle of peace, simplicity and contentment
Spend enough time with the Amish, as author Suzanne Woods Fisher has, and you’ll hear them repeat a catchy turn of phrase or short words of wisdom, like “Good character like good soup is usually homemade,” or “Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” Suspended in these phrases are age-old lessons about how to live wisely and please God. Reiterated day after day, the proverbs are learned by heart and help guide the lives of the Amish, reminding them of what’s truly important.

Fisher has spent a great deal of time with the Amish and has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People, which she shares in her new book
Amish Proverbs.

These proverbs cover all aspects of life, from finances to faith to family, as well as overcoming life’s frustrations. Serving as teaching tools and maxims for practical living, they're not just for the Amish. Proverbs help point us all toward wisdom, toward good judgment, toward God’s teachings. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Some of the proverbs that readers will find in Amish Proverbs include:
o "It is better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind."
o "You are only poor when you want more than you have."
o "A child can read a parent’s character before he can read the alphabet."
o "Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not."
o "Those who fear the future are likely to fumble the present."
o "Kissing wears out, cooking don’t."
o "If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience."
o "You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough."
o "A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things."

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with readers through life's joys and sorrows and bring some of the Amish wisdom to everyday life.

With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

About the Author: (from the book tour with Revell)

is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.


Giveaway Details:

1. Share one of your own family's proverbs. (1 entry daily, must leave a different proverb per entry!!)

2. Post a link to the giveaway on your blog and/or Facebook and report it here (1 entry each)

3. Become a follower on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, Facebook and/or Networked Blogs (links are on the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment here (or "remind" me you are already a follower so I know you want to be included in this giveaway) (1 entry each)

The drawing will be held September 12th. Winner: I will send you an email, please reply with your address so I can send you the book!

This giveaway is open to residents within the United States, no PO Boxes.

~ Wendi