This book is actually a 1929 thesis prepared by Ruth E. Bender titled "A Study of the Pennsylvania-German Dialect as Spoken in Johnson County, Iowa." Before the editor journeyed to Iowa to interview Ruth Bender, he met with Sarah Fisher, an Old Order Amish lady in Lancaster Co., Pa., and later with Jean Thomas and obtained their versions of Bender's list. Then in Iowa, Beam interviewed the Millers and Ruth Bender. (207pp. hardcover. Center for Pa. German Studies, 2003.)