The Amish in the American Imagination

David L. Weaver-Zercher

Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001

In The Amish in the American Imagination, historian David Weaver-Zercher explores how diverse 20th-century Americans―ranging from Mennonite ministers to Hollywood film producers―understood and represented the Amish to their respective audiences. Utilizing a wide variety of visual and textual sources, Weaver-Zercher shows how "English" Americans appropriated what they viewed as exotic, rural Americans for a variety of ideological, commercial, and spiritual purposes.

“One has to be impressed with Weaver-Zercher’s nuanced and sophisticated interpretations…a rich text worthy of contemplation.” – Simon J. Bronner, Penn State University, author of Folklore: The Basics

“A well-written and theoretically sophisticated text…The author asks important, compelling questions that dovetail with those of other scholars who study religion on the American landscape.” – Church History

“Comprehensive, insightful, and balanced…” – Mennonite Quarterly Review

“Not the least of this book’s fine qualities is its abiding good humor.” – Christian Century

“Fascinating and informative…For students of American culture, The Amish in the American Imagination offers much to ponder.” – Journal of American History