Another Life Is Possible

The Bruderhof, an Anabaptist community was started by Eberhard Arnold in the 1920s. Based on the tenets of the Sermon on the Mount and the community lifestyle of the first Christians, they now have communities in 26 countries around the world.

Another Life is Possible is a beautiful coffee-table book which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first community created by Ebohard Arnold in the 1920s in Germany. It contains the stories of over 100 community members from diverse backgrounds, who tell what drew them to become a part of the community where each member gives up everything to (as the publisher's book blurb states) "build a life together where everyone belongs and each can contribute, pooling their income, possessions, talents, and energy."

Accompanied by pictures by photo-journalist Danny Burrows which show the members of various Bruderhof communities at work, at play, at worship and at rest, this is a book one will linger over. A most interesting read!

My thanks to NetGalley and to Plough Publishing for allowing me to read a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I've always wanted to try to live the way Jesus taught us to, to truly follow Him, but while I love my church, it never seemed like enough. I have too much and so many have nothing, let alone enough. I feel inadequate to be His hands and feet. I'm too wrapped up in the world and my desires. Then I saw this book offered on NetGalley and was drawn in by the picture on the cover. Requested it and was granted it.

And wow has my life changed, just in knowing the Bruderhof exist. After this whole Pandemic thing has calmed down enough to travel responsibly and safely, I am visiting one of these communities. I want to see it for myself. "Come and see."

They've been around for 100 years and still going strong. To me, that's not a commune, that's not a cult, that's REAL.

I probably sound a tad off saying all of this, but the title of the book is so TRUE. Another life IS possible. The stories in the book aren't all about how perfect life in the Bruderhof community is, they are real people with real problems, sorrows and joys, but I've always thought it wonderful that Believer's have an invisible means of support. In this community, it's visible as well as invisible. It's beautiful.

Now, it doesn't all seem perfect, for example, the women all wear skirts/dresses, in EVERY picture, so I can imagine that's how they dress all of the time. I personally HATE skirts and dresses, so should I want to actually join a community, that will be a great way for me to get over myself and my desires. I'm good with the floor-length of said skirts and dresses, it's just the lack of pants wearing at all that irks me.

The pictures are absolutely gorgeous and, obviously, the people all appear to be happy, but would you put any unhappy mugs in a book about your community? I'm sure they are all pretty peaceful though. I want to see for myself.

5, I am so glad that I finally learned about this community of Believers now, stars. Highly recommended book, for all.

My thanks to NetGalley and Plough Publishing House for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

This is a beautifully produced coffee-table book, with some gorgeous illustrations, featuring 100 stories of individual members of the Bruderhof in their own words. It’s a delightful, feel-good read and I very much enjoyed browsing through it. Not surprisingly, it’s hardly a warts and all portrait, not least because it’s published by Plough Publishing, the Bruderhof’s own publishing house, but taken for what it is, an idealistic and rather rosy selection of profiles, it’s interesting, enjoyable and illuminating.

A most interesting read! I found the book to be good in its objective and its bias. Many people have found belonging, purpose, and joy in the Bruderhof communities, and their stories are told here. Another life really is possible, and the broader Christian church has much to learn from the communal witness of the Bruderhof.

Another Life is Possible is a great example of collective memory and heritage captured in print and photograph.

Through my limited interaction with the Bruderhof via their Plough Magazine and publishing house there is no doubt an attractiveness about their way of life.

This book is a great introduction to the Bruderhof and in a sense is their welcome to those picking the book up.