Sunrise at Seminary Ridge

Jacob Zook, an eighteen-year-old Amish farm boy, feels trapped between his religious heritage and his fascination with the world outside of his small Pennsylvania town. These feelings bring him into direct conflict with his very traditional father, who tries to raise his family by the rules of the Ordnung, even though they are living in exile away from the Amish community. Jacob’s only option is to leave his family, including his beloved mother and younger brother, Abraham, in order to set out and make a new life for himself. Unfortunately for Jacob, he embarks on this adventure on June 29, 1863. He is sidetracked for a day, lending his assistance during an emergency; but after spending the night under the stars, he begins his journey the next day, running headlong into more trouble than he could ever imagine. He had no way of knowing it, but his entire world was about to be turned upside down over the course of the first three days of July in the small town he called home—Gettysburg. Jacob will encounter many historic figures associated with the famous battle, including the military leaders from both armies and many of the civilian population of the town—all of whom are considered by the Amish to be “the English,” and he will discover a new emotion when he strays even further from the Ordnung in courting an English young lady. But it will be his association with the most colorful general of the conflict that will change his life—and the lives of those within his family—forever.