Donald B. Kraybill has spent his career among Anabaptist groups, gaining an unparalleled understanding of these traditionally private people. Kraybill shares that deep knowledge in this succinct overview of the beliefs and cultural practices of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites in North America.
Found throughout Canada, Central America , Mexico, and the United States, these religious communities include more than 200 different groups with 800,000 members in 17 countries. Through 340 short entries, Kraybill offers readers information on a wide range of topics related to religious views and social practices. With thoughtful consideration of how these diverse communities are related, this compact reference provides a brief and accurate synopsis of these groups in the twenty-first century.
No other single volume provides such a broad overview of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites in North America. Organized for ease of searching -- with a list of entries, a topic finder, an index of names, and ample cross -- the volume also includes abundant resources for accessing additional information
Wide in scope, succinct in content, and with directional markers along the way , the Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites is a must-have reference for anyone interested in Anabaptist groups.
Key features in the book include: 1) Offers broad coverage of both traditional and acculturated groups; 2) Provides a directory and description of all groups with three or more congregations; 3) Features statistical tables, maps, sources of additional information, and diagrams; 4) Includes a comprehensive bibliography and an easy-to-use top finder.
Sample entries include: Abortion, Agriculture, Alcohol, Asia-American Anabaptists, Automobile, Baptism, Central America, Cinema, Confessions of faith, Cookbooks, Dancing, Dialects, Economics, Education, Folk talk, Gender Roles, Rumspringa, Social Justice, Taxes, Television, Tourism, and Weddings.
"Its 340 amply referenced entries, biblioghraphy and directory of groups will help scholars, students, historians, church leaders- and the just plain curious - to trace the ties that bind these characteristically private communities." -- Lancaster Sunday News
About the Author
Donald B. Kraybill is a Distinguished college Professor and senior fellow in the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania. Widely recognized for his work on Anabaptist groups, he has authored and edited many books, including The Riddle of Amish Culture and The Amish and the State , both published by Johns Hopkins. Professor Kraybill is the editor of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies series, also published by Johns Hopkins.
