Broken Roads: Returning to My Amish Father

by Ira Wagler

Overview

In this insightful memoir, the New York Times bestselling author of Growing Up Amish tries to reconcile his father, family, and heritage after leaving his faith behind.


In Broken Roads, Ira Wagler uses his singular voice to unapologetically, but compassionately, illuminate the inner world of the Amish community through his story of life after leaving, what feels like his inevitable return to his Amish father, and how they might mend the relationship between them before it's too late.


Through difficult reunions, struggles confronted, and betrayals revisited, Wagler explores burning questions of faith and identity shared by millions, whether Amish or not. Readers may recognize themselves along these paths with Wagler, as he grapples with choices, faith, family, the past, and the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546012061
Publisher:	FaithWords
Publication date:	05/12/2020
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ira Wagler is the New York Times bestselling author of Growing Up Amish. He is beloved for his vivid depictions of Amish life, as well as his ability to touch those who pursue their own heart's calling amidst resistance. A popular blogger and speaker originally from Aylmer, Ontario, Ira now resides in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Read his blog at www.irawagler.com.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

Present 5

Past 13

Daviess and Vincennes 19

Summer in Lancaster 34

Bob Jones University 44

Home for Christmas 60

Law School 69

Ellen 80

Wedding 88

Stone Angel 94

March Is the Crudest Month 103

The Long Good-Bye 111

Stone Angel Redux 116

Returning to My Father 126

Reuben and Me 139

Mom's Funeral 150

A Day That Will Never Come 177

Whiskey and Me 186

Back to the Present 202

The Past and Dad's History 213

Dad's Funeral and Final Thoughts 223

Acknowledgments 255

About the Author 257

Editorial Reviews

03/02/2020

Wagler follows his memoir Growing Up Amish with this soul-searching but muddled recollection of what happened after he left the Amish faith at age 26. He shares his experience eagerly gaining formal education, first at a community college in the late 1980s, and then his adoring memories of his time at Bob Jones University. He then speeds through recounting his time at Dickinson School of Law and the collapse of his marriage of seven years in 2007. Some of the frustrating lack of specifics are partially explained later when Wagler describes starting a discussion and sermon-listening men’s group with the man his wife had an affair with (a fact which is awkwardly added with little unpacking or explanation). He also writes of how his divorce led him to drink too much and helped inspire a career shift from lawyer to writer. Wagler’s reflections are most engaging when he explores tensions and compromises in visits back to his parents, but, disappointingly, the individual narrative threads do not coalesce into obvious themes and leave a somewhat disjointed feel. This memoir of post-Amish life stumbles, but will help readers see the long-term emotional costs of the decision to leave. (May)

Publishers Weekly

A nuanced account...[Ira's] tale of restlessness looks acutely at the clash of family ties with love of freedom. The memoir is worthwhile as much for its Amish insights as for its exploration of one man's emotional turmoil, regret, and shame."
—Publishers Weekly on Growing Up Amish

In this wonderful sequel to Growing up Amish, Wagler repairs the broken roads-the endless rifts with his father and others.


With audacious candor, Wagler reveals the darkest crevice of his heart, the sensitive soul of his people, the yearning of the human spirit. He fearlessly tells the unfettered truth. Raw truth about love, empathy, sin, salvation and reconciliation. His honesty refreshes. His brilliance informs. His courage offers hope.—Donald B. Kraybill, author The Riddle of Amish Culture

From the Publisher