SKU: 68798630975

The Plain Reader

Sale price$14.53 Regular price$16.15
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.04 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 17 - Aug 22

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Plain Reader"If information highways are the wave of the future then I will build information country roads on which the traveller can reach the truth faster by going slower. . . ." On these same country roads, far from the intrusions of modern technology, the Amish, Quakers, and other "plain folk" live their unencumbered lives, close to the land, in peaceful, smoothly run communities. The thought provoking, often challenging essays in The Plain Reader are

"If information highways are the wave of the future then I will build information country roads on which the traveller can reach the truth faster by going slower. . . ."

On these same country roads, far from the intrusions of modern technology, the Amish, Quakers, and other "plain folk" live their unencumbered lives, close to the land, in peaceful, smoothly-run communities. The thought-provoking, often challenging essays in The Plain Reader are written by men and women who rarely speak outside the borders of their local townships, and provide us with unique perspectives on life stripped down to necessity. Originally published in Plain Magazine, these pieces are sure to inspire reflection.

Reading about a garden cooperative in Connecticut, the raising of a home with only plaster and straw in hand, a fascinating trip to New York City through Amish eyes, compels each of us wonder: Can I too survive without television or that high-tech appliance cluttering my kitchen counter? Am I just a cog in the wheel of the global economy? Is isolation from one another and from the earth the simple destiny of humankind? Each rich, personal essay in this provocative collection offers solace, wisdom, joy, and quiet space for contemplation.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine
Published: 05/05/1998
ISBN: 9780345414342
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.02h x 6.12w x 0.65d

Review Citations: Booklist 06/15/1998 pg. 1678
Publishers Weekly 06/29/1998 pg. 46
Library Journal 07/01/1998 pg. 96
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 68798630975

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.0 ★★★★★
Based on 8 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
S
Verified Purchase
S. Carpenter
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Great value and a good chair
Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive
Great chair for the price. Not as solid as an Ergo but it's not thousands of dollars either. It's pretty easy to assemble and the directions are good. It rolls well on LVP flooring and they offer 'upgraded' wheels at no cost from what I can tell. I didn't order them since the included ones work perfectly. I'm 6'4" and both the seat and arm heights can be adjusted to fit me well. The mesh seat is comfortable and the back works fine. The only downside for me is that the lumbar support doesn't adjust quite high enough to actually reach my lumbar area, but I think it would work for most folks. Overall it's hard to argue with the cost and even if it only lasts a few years it's worth the money.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2025
R
Verified Purchase
Rob
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Chair and Outstanding Customer Service
Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive
I desperately needed a new office chair. I ordered this chair with the mesh seat and it spike up my sciatica. I reached out to the company and Alice took great care to address the issue. She sent me a new seat with a foam cushion and it resolved the issue immediately. The chair is incredibly comfortable with the lumbar support, adjustability and foot support. She also sent me upgraded wheels as my chair is on a thin chair mat on hard wood floors. Alice was extremely responsive with possible options and very thorough with instructions on how to replace the seat. It is a high quality chair that I anticipate will last me quite some time. I highly recommend this company and will definitely order products from them again should the need arise. Thank you, Alice!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2026
G
Verified Purchase
Glenn R. Miller
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Well-packaged, quality materials, easy to assemble, very comfortable, great customer service
Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive
When I received this package, I was surprised at how small/compact it was--hard to believe a high-back office chair could fit in that box! As I unpacked it, I was impressed by two things: first, how incredibly well it was packaged with an obvious intent to protect the components; second, how solid, heavy-duty, and high-quality those components were. I got the box unpacked and read the instructions. They were simple and easy to understand, and included so many "here's a good tip" notes that it was obvious that a lot of thought and experience had gone into writing them. I found the chair simple to assemble and had it done in less than 15 minutes. The chair was very adjustable. I was able to get the height to exactly what I wanted with no trouble at all. I was also able to adjust the height of the lumbar support, and to adjust how far it extended. There are a lot of adjustments you can make, the instructions lay that out quite thoroughly, too. As a result, the chair was very comfortable and helped me sit with a healthy posture. I bought this chair because I had begun having an ache in my lower back, which I suspected was due to a chair I had been using for over 5 years. Within 3 days, the back pain was gone. I was also very impressed with the customer service. Their manual mentions in multiple places things you can try if you have any issues, and always ends with "call us". Their team reached out to me after a few days to make sure I got the chair assembled with no issues and that it was comfortable. This was all part of the all-around quality of this purchase. I'm very happy with this chair!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
Marcos Castillo
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Comparable to Higher-End Chairs, Solid Build and Support Without the Premium Price
Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive, Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive
I’ve been using this chair for a bit now and it’s been a genuinely upgrade. The build quality stands out right away, it has real heft and doesn’t feel cheap or hollow. Everything fits together cleanly and once assembled it feels stable and planted. I’m over 6 ft and 200+ lbs and it handles that without any issue, no creaking or sense that it’s being pushed to its limits. There’s enough space in the seat and back that you don’t feel boxed in. I added an extra ergonomic cushion and it still feels roomy, which isn’t always the case with chairs in this category. The adjustability helps a lot here, especially the lumbar support. Being able to move it up and down and also forward and back makes it easy to actually get it where you need it, instead of just accepting a fixed position. The armrests are also easy to dial in, especially if you’re switching between typing, reading, or leaning back a bit. The tilt range is useful, and the tilt tension is stronger than I expected. Even at my size it takes a bit of effort to lean back, which I see as a positive since it feels controlled and supportive rather than loose or overly easy to recline. The mesh is another strong point. It came in perfect condition, no snags, no loose threads, no rough edges anywhere. There weren’t any bits of untrimmed plastic on the frame either, which says a lot about the quality control. The mesh itself is taut with a bit of bounce, so it doesn’t sag but still has some give, which makes long sitting sessions more comfortable. Assembly was straightforward and clearly thought through. The instructions are easy to follow, but what stood out were the built in redundancies that keep you from second guessing anything. There are multiple left and right indicators when installing the arms, a clear front facing marker for the gas lift, and the screws are labeled in the packaging so you’re not guessing which goes where. It’s one of the smoother assembly experiences I’ve had. I also reached out to activate my warranty and had a very positive experience. I spoke with Alice who was very knowledgeable, quick, warm, and they went out of their way to help me with whatever I needed. When I inquired about the extra screw holes under the chair, she let me know that this was for a foot rest which was still in the production phase and unprompted offered to have one shipped to me when they were ready! There is an excellent team behind the product. Overall: well built chair with good materials, thoughtful design choices, and good adjustability to make it work for different setups. It feels durable, comfortable over longer periods, and especially well suited if you need something that can handle a larger frame without sacrificing support.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
M. T.
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent chair/great support.
Color: Black Full Mesh, Style: Executive
Excellent, comfortable chair! I was surprised at how easy it was to assemble---but the directions were super clear and all the pieces and parts were labeled. Once I received the chair, I was also surprised with the email follow up from Alice at Molents. All this for a reasonably priced chair.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2026

recommand products