Increase Awareness | Publications | Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

This is a bibliography of books, both introductory (denoted with an "I") and more advanced (denoted with an "A"), dealing with Christian environmental ethics, theology and spirituality. Also included are books on environmental studies and on nature writing.  While by no means exhaustive, these are all materials which have been helpful to Earth Ministry’s staff, and which we share with you with the hope that you also may feel inspired and enlightened by them.

Click on any of the following categories:

For Children
Christian Environmental Theology
Creation Spirituality
Eco-feminism
Ecology and Culture
Environmental Justice
Ethics and Public Policy
Food and Agriculture
Nature Writing
Other Faith Traditions
Poetry, Prayer, and Meditation
Religion and Science
Simpler Living
The State of Earth

For Children (of all ages)

Carson, Rachael. The Sense of Wonder. HarperCollins (1965, 1998). I
Carson has been called “the patron saint of the environmental movement.”  In this book, with wonder-inspiring photography, Carson describes how adults can open the world of nature to children, and how children can help adults grow and revel in their own wonderment. 

Cornell, Joseph. Sharing Nature with Children. Dawn Publications (1998). I
This creative guidebook helps parents and teachers to engage with the intricacies and mystery of nature as a child might.  Such an engagement equips adults to invite children to explore and cherish the world in ways that call upon children’s natural curiosity and empathy.  This book contains forty-two games and interactive experiences.  

Dr. Seuss. The Lorax. Random House (1971). I
A classic Earth-care book that deals with consumerism and endangered “species,” and offers an invitation to stewardship.  Dr. Seuss’s genius and compassion shine through. 

Farjeon, Eleanor, and Tim Ladwig. Morning Has Broken. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (1996). I
Many children and adults are familiar with Eleanor Farjeon’s moving hymn inspired by her deep awe for God’s creation and Psalm 118:24.  The stunning illustrations in this book bring Eleanor’s words to life through a little boy and his grandfather living in a modern, urban setting.

Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg, and Bethanne Anderson. A Prayer for the Earth: The Story of Naamah, Noah’s Wife. Jewish Lights Publishing (1996). I
Most children know the story of how Noah helped the animals of the world survive the Great Flood.  Now children can hear a story (based on an ancient Jewish text) about Naamah (Noah’s wife), the woman responsible for the survival of all of the plants on Earth.  Humor, compassion, and wisdom characterize this story of care for God’s creation.  It goes into much lovely detail, so allow for plenty of storytime.

Sheehan, Kathryn, and Mary Waidner. Earth Child: Games, Stories, Activities, Experiments and Ideas About Living Lightly on Planet Earth. Council Oak Books (1994). I
The book focuses on celebrating events in nature (i.e. solstices, change of season) that easily coincide with some events in faith communities.  Its plays, recipes, craft projects, wealth of resources, and much more engage children in appreciating their relationships with the rest of creation.

Staines, Bill, and Margot Zemach. All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir. Puffin Unicorn (1978, 1989). I
The lively, contemporary folk tune “All God’s Critters …” comes to life in this visually playful book.  Parents and teachers can help children to learn the song with the help of printed music in the back of the book.  Then look out: everyone will want to “clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got.”  A true celebration for all members of God’s choir of creation.

Sweetland, Nancy, and Rick Stevens. God’s Quiet Things. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (1994). I
A gentle book that encourages children to discover the marvels of God’s creation through looking, listening, and touching.  Toddlers will enjoy its melodic words and colorful artwork, and young readers its simple poetry.

Wood, Douglas, and Chen-Khee Chee. Old Turtle. Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers (1992). I
This richly illustrated fable draws children and adults into a world in which all parts of creation communicate with one another and God.  It specifically calls readers and listeners into a deeper understanding of what it might mean for humans to be “a message of love from God to the earth, and a prayer from the earth back to God” (from the book).

Wood, Douglas, and P.J. Lynch. Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth. Candlewick Press (1999). I
“’Did you know, boy,’ Grandad whispered, ‘that trees pray?’”  This heart-touching story is told by a boy whose grandfather helps him to understand that every part of creation (including himself) has a prayer to offer their Creator.  This very moving, beautifully illustrated book can also help children deal with the difficulties of grieving the death of a loved-one.

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Christian Environmental Theology

Austin, Richard Cartwright. Baptized into Wilderness: A Christian Perspective on John Muir. John Knox (1987).  The Beauty of the Lord: Awakening the Senses. John Knox (1988).  Hope for the Land: Nature in the Bible. John Knox (1988).  Reclaiming America: Restoring Nature to Culture. John Knox (1990). I
Austin, a Presbyterian minister and organic farmer, has a special vocation in environmental theology.  “Written with great care and sensitivity, this series gives us the direction we need to fulfill our Christian responsibility for ‘the care of the earth’” (-Robert McAfee Brown).

Boff, Leonardo. Ecology and Liberation: A New Paradigm. Orbis Books (1995). I
Boff, a noted Latin American theologian, applies liberation theology to the urgent issues of poverty and ecological degradation.  This book is an important and visionary effort and a true bridge-builder.

Brueggemann, Walter. Finally Comes the Poet: Daring Speech for Proclamation. Fortress Press (1989).
The author, a noted biblical scholar, claims that “the gospel is too readily heard and taken for granted, as though it contained no unsettling news and no unwelcome threat.”  This book illumines biblical truths in order to help preachers poetically construe “an alternative world.”  This world includes justice for the poor and care for Earth.
—. The Land: Place as Gift, Promise, and Challenge in Biblical Faith. Fortress Press (1977). 
The people of ancient Israel had a deep relationship with the land, revealed to us through biblical themes and imagery.  Brueggemann follows the development of this relationship through Israel’s traditions.  The book provides a point of entrance both to the theology of the Hebrew Bible (a k a “Old Testament”) and to aspects of the New Testament – even as it illuminates crucial issues of our day.

Cunningham, Lawrence, and Dennis Stock. Saint Francis of Assisi. Harper & Row (1981). I
Brilliant photographs and artwork accent this easy-to-read introduction to St. Francis of Assisi, his life and times, and his intense love for the poor and God’s creation.

Gottlieb, Roger S., ed. This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment.  Routledge (1996). I/A
An ecology-theology feast!  For example, this collection contains some of Aldo Leopold’s and Rachael Carson’s pivotal works; Lynn White’s catalyzing critique; theological explorations from Pope John Paul II, Sallie McFague, Thomas Berry, and many others; and other challenging and hopeful pieces on current intersections between culture, ecology, theology, and ethics.

Hessel, Dieter T., ed. After Nature’s Revolt: Eco-Justice and Theology. Fortress (1992). I
A rich collection of essays that provides theological and ethical reflections helpful in confronting current ecological crises.  Contributors study and respectfully interpret Christian worldviews to form a foundation for social and ecological justice.  An excellent resource for reflection and discussion.

Hessel, Dieter T., and Rosemary Radford Ruether, eds. Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-Being of Earth and Humans. Harvard University Press (2000). I/A
This valuable compendium of over twenty-five papers, presented at an historic Harvard conference on Christianity and ecology, represents a broad range of current Christian scholarship on ecological crises.  The papers cover ethics, theology, sustainable development, and spirituality. The book is an excellent introduction with an extensive bibliography and index.

Hessel, Dieter T., and Larry Rasmussen, eds. Earth Habitat: Eco-Injustice and the Church’s Response. Augsburg Fortress (2001). I
In this volume, nineteen eco-theologians from around the world respond to questions regarding the place of Christianity and Christian congregations within current crises of eco-injustice.  Their diverse responses are honest, eye opening, and often practical.  A very important book for anyone striving to cultivate eco-justice within his/her congregation and within the broader Christian tradition.

McDaniel, Jay B. Of God and Pelicans. Westminster/Knox (1989). I
This book focuses on Christian environmental ethics, using pelicans as an organizing case study.  From this focus McDaniel develops a penetrating, Christian “life-centered” theology.
—.With Roots and Wings: Christianity in an Age of Ecology and Dialogue. Orbis Books (1995). I
McDaniel engages the natural sciences, Christian theology, and other religious traditions to help situate humankind more respectfully within the Earth and cosmos.

McDonagh, Sean. To Care for the Earth. Bear and Company (1986). I
Written by a Roman Catholic missionary, this introduction to the church and the environment takes a special look at the relationship between Earth-centered theology and the sacraments of the church.  McDonagh’s experience working with indigenous peoples in the Philippines is especially instructive.

McKibben, Bill. The Comforting Whirlwind: God, Job, and the Scale of Creation. WB Eerdmans Publishing (1994). I
McKibben, widely respected author and United Methodist Sunday school teacher, shares scientific insights into the crisis of global climate change.  But, McKibben goes beyond the basic facts and into a moving theological exploration of this crisis and what it is that humankind might be saying to God through this crisis.  This is a modern-day theodicy that looks for God in the midst of global suffering.

McFague, Sallie. The Body of God: An Ecological Theology. Fortress (1993).
McFague, a mother of modern eco-theology, gives a broad overview of “the ecological crisis,” as well as her interpretation and revision of a time-honored, Christian theology that has the strength to confront the crisis.
—. Super, Natural Christians: How We should Love Nature, Fortress (1997). 
McFague further applies her solid theological views to concrete examples of compassionate relationships with Earth and all of its inhabitants.
—.Abundant Life: Rethinking Theology and Ecology from a Planet in Peril, Augsburg Fortress (2001).
McFague’s most recent offering is personal, prophetic, and will inspire readers to lead lives of action with deep theological moorings.  She especially helps readers to navigate the complexities of global economics and other comprehensive concerns of our day, and emerge with resources for promoting abundant living for all creation.

Nash, James. Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility. Abingdon Press (1991).
Ostensibly a book on ethics, Nash’s book is also a solid primer on theology.  Nash includes two very good chapters on theologians from church history who incorporate Earth themes in their thinking.  A challenging reading but solid and very worth the time.

Oelschlaeger, Max. Caring for Creation: An Ecumenical Approach to the Environmental Crisis. Yale University Press (1994). I
This book claims that religion has an indispensable role to play in solving the ecological crisis.  Examining a broad range of Western religious traditions, from evangelical Christianity to goddess feminism, the author shows that religion can provide an ethical context to help people become sensitive to planetary concerns.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Gaia & God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing. Harper San Francisco (1994).
A theologian of much prominence, Ruether develops a Christian theology that promotes healing relationships between men and women, classes and nations, and humans and all Earth.  Ruether is one of the leading eco-feminist voices within Roman Catholic theological circles.

Santmire, H. Paul. The Travail of Nature: The Ambiguous Ecological Promise of Christian Theology. Fortress (1985). A
In his germinal work, Santmire explores how Christian theologians and church figures, through the centuries, have thought about nature.  This important book, at times heavy theologically, is one of the few books that present a broad historical overview of a Christian theology of nature.

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Creation Spirituality

Berry, Thomas. The Dream of the Earth. Sierra Club Books (1988).  The Great Work: Our Way into the Future. Bell Tower (2000). I
Thomas Berry is a visionary and these are books to read and reread, for they stretch vision, imagination, and resolve all at once.  Berry is a bridge builder: both a Roman Catholic priest and a thinker whose categories cross all traditions.

Swimme, Brian, and Thomas Berry. The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era – A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos. HarperCollins (1992).
From the “big-bang” to the present and into the future, The Universe Story celebrates a story that unites science and the humanities through a profound and poetic modern myth.  Grounded in contemporary scientific understanding and inspired by the world’s wisdom traditions, cosmologist Brian Swimme and cultural historian Thomas Berry meld the findings of contemporary science with the human search for meaning.  The resulting account articulates fifteen billion years of existence with awe, delight, and vision.

Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre. Hymn of the Universe. Harper & Row (1965).  The Phenomenon of Man. HarperCollins (1965, 1980).  The Divine Milieu. HarperCollins (1989). A
A paleontologist and Roman Catholic priest, Teilhard de Chardin envisioned a convergence of the divine life of Christ and the universe.  In The Phenomenon of Man, Teilhard systematically integrates evolution and God’s dynamic “plan,” specifically the evolution of consciousness.  In The Divine Milieu, Teilhard skillfully outlines his Catholic, incarnational theology – with Christ transparent in all creation.  Teilhard’s works help readers explore some of the roots of Creation Spirituality.

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Eco-feminism

McFague, Sallie. The Body of God: An Ecological Theology.  Fortress (1993).
McFague, a mother of modern eco-theology, gives a broad overview of “the ecological crisis,” as well as her interpretation and revision of a time-honored, Christian theology that has the strength to confront the crisis.

Merchant, Carolyn. The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology and the Scientific Revolution. Harper and Row (1983).
Merchant traces the development of attitudes toward women and nature in Western philosophical and religious traditions.  A germinal eco-feminist work.

Mies, Maria, and Vandana Shiva. Ecofeminism. Zed Books and Fernwood Publications (1993). 
These two internationally respected feminists offer poignant analyses of global economics and ecology.  In particular, they unmask exploitative systems that disproportionately impact women and children in non-industrialized settings.  An excellent resource for assessing the current cultural and theological context in which we live.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Gaia & God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing. Harper San Francisco (1994). A 
A theologian of much prominence, Ruether develops a Christian theology that promotes healing relationships between men and women, classes and nations, and humans and all Earth.  Ruether is one of the leading eco-feminist voices within Roman Catholic theological circles.
—.Women Healing Earth: Third-World Women on Ecology, Feminism, and Religion. Orbis (1996).
Women Healing Earth (Ruether is the editor) is an important anthology, of writings from Third World feminists, that puts flesh and dimension onto Ruether’s theology and concerns.

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Ecology and Culture

Abrams, David. The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World. Vintage Books (1997).
A beautifully rendered analysis of the importance of the development of language in separating human consciousness from the natural world.  It illuminates the difference between cultures that live close to the land and the Western consciousness that sees humans as separate from the rest of nature.  The book gives suggestions to repair this gulf.

Berry, Wendell. The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. Sierra Club Books (1977, 1997).
As one of our modern-day prophets, Berry skillfully shows the impact of our current, pervasive disconnections between the land and people.  Berry, a poet, essayist, and farmer in his native Kentucky, writes of our relationship with farming, leading to a profound awareness that “farming cannot be considered separately from the larger culture.”  Berry provides beautifully rendered, ennobling descriptions of faithfulness to place, family, community, and land. 
—.What Are People For? North Point Press (1990). 
This more current analysis of American economic and agricultural systems provides a thought- and action-inspiring sequel to his earlier The Unsettling of America.
—.Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community. Pantheon Books (1992). 
In this collection of essays Berry writes on conservation, war, global trade agreements such as NAFTA and GATT, and other important current issues.  The collection includes an essay titled “Christianity and the Survival of Creation.”

Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin (1962, 1994). I
This classic book sparked much of the environmental movement as we know it today, setting off a wave of crucial environmental legislation and grassroots action.  Carson details the impact of pesticides and fertilizers on songbird populations throughout the United States and, in so doing, opened our country’s eyes to its impact on the intricacies of the web of life.
—.Under the Sea Wind. Penguin USA (1941, 1996). The Sea around Us. Oxford University Press (1951, 1991).  The Edge of the Sea. Houghton Mifflin (1955, 1998). I
These three books highlight Carson’s deep interest and love for the sea.  In Under the Sea Wind and The Edge of the Sea, Carson takes her readers to a world teaming with life – the former book sets readers within the sea and the latter at the place where sea and land meet.  The latter also includes a practical identification guide.  The Sea around Us awakens readers to the birth of life, in the sea, and the imperative to care for the sea, which cradles and sustains life.

Dillard, Annie. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Bantam Books (1974). I
This book is informative, meditative, and a thoroughly engrossing record of one woman’s relationship with her bioregional home.  It presents Dillard – mystical naturalist wordsmith – at her best.

Kittredge, William. Owning It All. Graywolf Press (1987).  Hole in the Sky: A Memoir. Vintage (1992). I
Kittredge grew up on, and managed, his family’s cattle ranch in eastern Oregon.  Now a creative writing teacher at the University of Montana, his writing beautifully, and sometimes heart-breakingly, explores the guiding myths of the West and the ways in which they no longer serve us.

Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press (1949). I
Truly a classic, this book first introduced the concept of the “land ethic” and proposed the then unusual marriage of ethics and the land.  You will find here some of the modern roots of the environmental movement and a rebirth of Christian spirituality of the Earth.

McKibben, Bill. The End of Nature. Anchor (1999).
This powerfully unsettling book details many of the our current environmental challenges: global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and other crises.  McKibben, a widely published writer and United Methodist Sunday school teacher, shares his own passionate plea for necessary change in how humans view nature and our actions.
—.Hope, Human and Wild: True Stories of Living Lightly on the Earth. Ruminator Books (1997).
In this work, McKibben offers responses to The End of Nature by focusing on communities that strive to live in balanced relationships with the Earth.  McKibben highlights these model communities in the Adirondack Mountains (his home), Brazil and India, and other regions.

Nash, Roderick. The Rights of Nature: A History of Environmental Ethics. University of Wisconsin Press (1989).
A hopeful historical journey that, over the centuries, traces the notion of rights as extended to larger numbers of groups of people.  Nash looks at current actions that also extend “rights” to the natural world; for example, the Endangered Species Act recognizes that species of animals and plants have rights. 

Williams, Terry Tempest. Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place. Pantheon Books (1991). I
Williams, a naturalist and writer from Salt Lake City, weaves the story of the flooding of Great Salt Lake in 1983, and the resulting loss of wetlands, with the losses in her own family due to cancer caused by nearby atomic testing.  This compassionate book poignantly combines love and knowledge of place, landscape, and family.

Wilson, Edward O. Biophilia. Harvard University Press (1984). I
Wilson, an eminent scientist, posits that our natural affinity and love for life – biophilia – is the very essence of our humanity and binds us to all living species.  He demonstrates his own biophilia through his attentiveness to delicate interactions between many species and through his philosophical ponderings throughout this beautifully written book.
—.The Diversity of Life. Harvard University Press (1992). I
In this important work, Wilson attempts to portray the scale and intricacy of diversity of life on Earth.  Wilson also authored The Ants, which won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction.

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Environmental Justice
(Global Economics, Environmental Racism and Classism, and Sustainable Societies)

Berry, Wendell. Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community. Pantheon Books (1992). 
In this collection of essays Berry writes on conservation, war, global trade agreements such as NAFTA and GATT, and other important current issues.  The collection includes an essay titled “Christianity and the Survival of Creation.”

Boff, Leonardo. Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor. Orbis Books (1997).
Boff, a noted Latin American theologian, applies liberation theology to the urgent issues of poverty and ecological degradation.  In this book, he focuses on the threatened Amazon rainforest to highlight the relationship between the fate of an endangered ecosystem and the survival of the indigenous people inextricably linked with it.

Bullard, Robert D. Dumping on Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality. Westview Press (2000). I
First published in 1990, Bullard’s important work was the first to document environmental racism and trace the rise of the environmental justice movement.  This award-winning book (e.g., the National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Achievement Award) examines environmental policy and practices in the Southern United States – and their grave social, racial, and ecological implications.  Based on his wealth of experience, Bullard offers a working model of environmental justice to confront these impacts.

Bullard, Robert D., and Beverly Wright, eds. Confronting Environmental Racism: Voices from the Grassroots. South End Press (1993). I
This anthology of stories and essays looks at the ways in which environmental racism plays out within inner city neighborhoods, rural communities, barrios, Indian Reservations and throughout the United States and abroad.  Readers will also come away with inspiring accounts of activists directly confronting these eco-injustices of our times.

Cobb, John B., Jr., and Herman Daly. For the Common Good. Beacon (1989). A
A landmark work by an eminent theologian (Cobb) and an equally eminent economist (Daly). This book examines how our economy works, how it affects societies and bioregions, and offers a model for redirecting it to enhance both human and non-human communities.

Cobb, John B., Jr. Sustainability, Economics, Ecology, and Justice. Orbis Books, Maryknoll (1992).
This book, a collection of essays written over a ten-year period, is an approachable treatment of the economic and environmental linkages explored in For the Common Good (see above description).

Eco-feminism works – see above listings.

Food and Agriculture works – see below listings.

Hessel, Dieter T. ed. After Nature’s Revolt: Eco-Justice and Theology. Fortress (1992). I
A rich collection of essays that provides theological and ethical reflections helpful in confronting current ecological crises.  Contributors study and respectfully interpret Christian worldviews to form a foundation for social and ecological justice.  An excellent resource for reflection and discussion.

Hessel, Dieter T., and Larry Rasmussen, eds. Earth Habitat: Eco-Injustice and the Church’s Response. Augsburg Fortress (2001). I 
In this volume, nineteen eco-theologians from around the world respond to questions regarding the place of Christianity and Christian congregations within current crises of eco-injustice.  Their diverse responses are honest, eye opening, and often practical.  A very important book for anyone striving to cultivate eco-justice within his/her congregation and within the broader Christian tradition.

Korten, David. When Corporations Rule the World. Kumarian Press and Berrett-Koehler Publishers (1995).  The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism. Kumarian Press and Berrett-Koehler Publishers (1998).
Korten gives readers crucial insight into the way in which corporations take possession of Earth – its economies, peoples and cultures, ecosystems, and political systems.  Corporations, Korten argues, supplant the power that was once held by the now-in-decline nation-state.  In The Post-Corporate World Korten goes into great detail to describe, realistically, the sort of markets that can be an antidote to current corporate domination.

Rasmussen, Larry. Earth Community Earth Ethics. Orbis (1997). I 
This award-winning book provides a comprehensive approach to issues of social cohesion and ecological concern, synthesizing insights from Christian theology and ethics, and environmental science in a single vision for creating a sustainable Earth community.  With environmental ethics as its principle focus, the book brings together insights from diverse sources on the state of the environment – and what can be done, now, to halt the degradation of life.

Schumacher, E. F. Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. Harper & Row (1973). I
This classic compilation of essays on economic sustainability calls upon economic lessons from the past and present to move us toward Gandhi-inspired sense of equity and justice.

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Ethics and Public Policy

Environmental Justice works – see above listings.

Kohák, Erazim. The Embers and the Stars: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Moral Sense of Nature. The University of Chicago Press (1984).
This almost dream-like exploration into the reality of nature (including humankind) and God is both coherent and moving.  Drawing upon his own Anglican spirituality, Kohák highlights a natural awe that draws humans to a respect for the natural world.

Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press (1949). I
Truly a classic, this book first introduced the concept of the “land ethic” and proposed the then unusual marriage of ethics and the land.  You will find here some of the modern roots of the environmental movement and a rebirth of Christian spirituality of the Earth.

McDaniel, Jay B. Of God and Pelicans. Westminster/Knox (1989). I
This book focuses on Christian environmental ethics, using pelicans as an organizing case study.  From this focus McDaniel develops a penetrating, Christian “life-centered” theology.

Nash, James. Loving Nature. Abingdon Press (1991).
Ostensibly a book on ethics, Nash’s book is also a solid primer on theology.  Nash includes two very good chapters on theologians from church history who incorporate Earth themes in their thinking.  A challenging reading but solid and very worth the time.

Nash, Roderick. The Rights of Nature: A History of Environmental Ethics. University of Wisconsin Press (1989). 
A hopeful historical journey that, over the centuries, traces the notion of rights as extended to larger numbers of groups of people.  Nash looks at current actions that also extend “rights” to the natural world; for example, the Endangered Species Act recognizes that species of animals and plants have rights. 

Rasmussen, Larry. Earth Community Earth Ethics. Orbis (1997). I 
This award-winning book provides a comprehensive approach to issues of social cohesion and ecological concern, synthesizing insights from Christian theology and ethics, and environmental science in a single vision for creating a sustainable Earth community.  With environmental ethics as its principle focus, the book brings together insights from diverse sources on the state of the environment – and what can be done, now, to halt the degradation of life.

Rolston, Holmes, III. Environmental Ethics: Duties to and Values in the Natural World. Temple University Press (1988).
This is a comprehensive, philosophical text on human interactions within the natural world.  In his analysis, Rolston avoids both utilitarian and bio-centric views of nature – allowing him to present a view that bridges these two ends of the environmental ethic spectrum.

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Food and Agriculture

Ableman, Michael. From the Good Earth: A Celebration of Growing Food around the World. Harry N. Abrams Inc. (1993).  On Good Land: The Autobiography of an Urban Farm. Chronicle Books (1998). I
From his visits to farming communities around the world, Ableman (an organic farmer) gifts his readers with rich photographs and stories in From the Good Earth.  This book celebrates human relationships with the land and with each other.  But, it also gives the stark picture of how far removed most Americans are from the source of their foods – and the negative personal, social, and global impacts that result.  In this book and in On Good Land, Ableman moves readers toward more hopeful farming possibilities in America.  In particular, he describes his loving and inspiring relationship with a farm in Goleta, California – a farm that stands as a verdant island in a sea of suburban sprawl.

Berry, Wendell. The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. Sierra Club Books (1977, 1997). 
As one of our modern-day prophets, Berry skillfully shows the impact of our current, pervasive disconnections between the land and people.  Berry, a poet, essayist, and farmer in his native Kentucky, writes of our relationship with farming, leading to a profound awareness that “farming cannot be considered separately from the larger culture.”  Berry provides beautifully rendered, ennobling descriptions of faithfulness to place, family, community, and land. 
—.What Are People For? North Point Press (1990). 
This more current analysis of American economic and agricultural systems provides a thought- and action-inspiring sequel to his earlier The Unsettling of America.
—.Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community. Pantheon Books (1992). 
In this collection of essays Berry writes on conservation, war, global trade agreements such as NAFTA and GATT, and other important current issues.  The collection includes an essay titled “Christianity and the Survival of Creation.”

Brower, Michael, and Warren Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Three Rivers Press (1999).  I
At a time when readers can find books containing 1001 things that they can do to “save the Earth,” this book provides a hopeful and clear path for leading a more Earth-honoring life.  The authors use reader-friendly language to describe some of the most pressing ecological concerns of our time.  Then they prioritize helpful actions that will have the most beneficial impacts on the planet.

Robbins, John. Diet for a New America. Stillpoint (1987). I
One of the best introductions to the complex interrelationships between our food choices, the economy, the treatment of animals, human health, and the health of the land.  Passionate, informative, and readable.

Lappé, Frances Moore, and Anna Lappé. Hope’s Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet. J.P. Tarcher (2002). I
In the early 1970’s Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet introduced millions to ways of eating that improve personal health and reduce negative ecological and social impacts.  This new, mother-daughter creation looks at eating choices within the context of current concerns: genetically engineered foods, increasing worldwide famine, and the growing number of obesity-related health issues.  The authors introduce readers to hopeful recommendations and stories of farmers, food advocates, and others who promote healthier food systems.  This volume rounds out with wonderful recipes that make the authors’ philosophy practical and joyful.

Schut, Michael, ed. Food & Faith: Justice, Joy, and Daily Bread. Living the Good News (2002). I
This book/curriculum focuses on the enjoyment of food, on our food choices as a dimension of Christian spirituality, on the ways in which eating connects us to the land and to each other, and on the responsibilities of eating as they relate to the economic, environmental, and cultural implications of our daily food choices. It will encourage movement from passive consumerism to mindful participation in all the systems involved in bringing food from farmer to table. The book includes an extensive resource guide on where to shop (both locally and nationally) for more earth-friendly food and provides ideas on how to support local, sustainable agriculture. In addition, it includes a eight-session curricular group learning experience.

Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Houghton Mifflin Co. (2001). I
This detailed exposé of the fast food industry in postwar America examines the ecological, social, human health, and international impacts of this terribly powerful economic force.  Schlosser uses wit and wisdom to unveil the true nature of this industry.

Shiva, Vandana. The Violence of the Green Revolution: Third World Agriculture, Ecology and Politics. Zed Books (1992).  Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge. South End Press (1993).  Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply. South End Press (1999).
Shiva, an activist and scientist from India, traces the impacts of corporate agriculture on cultures, small farmers, ecosystems, and on the quality of the food we consume.  In these (and other) books, Shiva explores issues such as biotechnology, patents on life, the domination of agribusiness, and many others.  These books sound a well-researched clarion call to realize the impact of our economic, political, and food buying decisions.

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Nature Writing

Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire. Ballantine Books (1991).
Possibly one of the most beautiful evocations of the Southwest desert and canyon ever written.  A candid and gritty classic by this great twentieth-century naturalist and defender of the land. I

Berry, Wendell. Jayber Crow. Counterpoint Press (2001).  The Wild Birds: Six Stories of the Port William Membership. North Point Press (1986).  Fidelity: Five Stories. Pantheon Books (1992).  The Memory of Old Jack. Counterpoint Press (1999). I
These novels and collections are a few among many that reveal Berry’s great giftedness as a fiction writer.  His stories trace generations of farming families deeply rooted in their land.  These earthy, honest stories offer a hopeful voice of moral integrity.

Dillard, Annie. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Bantam Books (1974). I
This book is informative, meditative, and a thoroughly engrossing record of one woman’s relationship with her bioregional home.  It presents Dillard – mystical naturalist wordsmith – at her best.

Lopez, Barry. Arctic Dreams. Bantam Books (1986, 1996). I
This early work won Lopez The National Book Award and a wide audience.  In it, readers accompany Lopez on his repeated journeys to northern Canada.  There readers learn about the land in its vulnerability to humankind’s whims and, more importantly, in its beauty, diversity, dynamism, and strength.  This book also offers fascinating insights into Arctic cultures.  This volume stands as one of the landmarks of nature writing.
—.The Rediscovery of North America. University Press of Kentucky (1991). I
This book focuses on the American story, bringing into focus its exploitation of native peoples and the land.

Nelson, Richard. The Island Within. Vintage Books (1989). I
An anthropologist and eloquent writer, Nelson takes readers to Alaska and invites them into his experience with a single island and its animal inhabitants.  In this exotic locale, he encourages all readers to see every place as the special place.

Norris, Kathleen. Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. Ticknor and Fields (1993). I
Lover of the Dakotas, devotee of monastic Christianity, and superb writer, Norris meditatively takes her readers through the experience of her return and commitment to this place of tenacious living.  Norris provides many spiritual insights along the way.

Stegner, Wallace. Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs. Penguin USA (1992). I
This collection of essays on the development of the Western United States is engagingly written by one of the best authors of our day.  Stegner clearly demonstrates the interaction of culture and land.  His book, Angle of Repose (1971, 1992), won the Pulitzer Prize – another magnificent story of the American West.

Snyder, Gary. Practice of the Wild. North Point Press (1990). I
Snyder is a highly respected nature poet and writer.  This collection of essays provides a good sampling of his work.

Williams, Terry Tempest. Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place. Vintage (1991). I
Williams, a naturalist and writer from Salt Lake City, weaves the story of the flooding of Great Salt Lake in 1983, and the resulting loss of wetlands, with the losses in her own family due to cancer caused by nearby atomic testing.  This compassionate book poignantly combines love and knowledge of place, landscape, and family.
—.An Unspoken Hunger. Pantheon Books (1994). I
Williams’ collection of essays conveys her sense of the importance of being rooted in a “home,” in a place one knows and loves.  She shares the deep conviction that our lack of intimacy with the natural world initiates, and is reflected in, our lack of intimacy with one another.  The essays include stories of family, of natural processes, and of inspirational figures such as Rachel Carson and Edward Abbey.
—. Red: Patience and Practice in the Desert. Pantheon Books (2001). I
In this collection of essays, poems, congressional testimony, and journal entries, Williams reflects on the God-given value of wilderness and the need to preserve wild places – for their own sake and the sake of the human spirit.

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Other Faith Traditions

Gottlieb, Roger S., ed. This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment. Routledge (1996). I/A
An ecology-theology feast!  For example, this collection contains some of Aldo Leopold’s and Rachael Carson’s pivotal works; Lynn White’s catalyzing critique; theological explorations from Pope John Paul II, Sallie McFague, Thomas Berry, and many others; and other challenging and hopeful pieces on current intersections between culture, ecology, theology, and ethics.

Kinsley, David. Ecology and Religion: Ecological Spirituality in Cross-cultural Perspective. Prentice Hall (1994). I
Kinsley explores various cultural and religious understandings of how humans relate to Earth, and how these understandings impact the current ecological crisis.  Readers will look at the views of indigenous peoples, Asian traditions, Christians, contemporary culture, and others.

Roberts, Elizabeth, and Elias Amadon, eds. Earth Prayers from Around the World: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. HarperCollins (1991). I
This is a treasure chest of prayers and poems about Earth from different religious traditions.  A reverent book.

Rowthorn, Anne, ed. Earth and All the Stars: Reconnecting with Nature through Hymns, Stories, Poems, Prayers from the World’s Great Religions and Cultures. I
This collection includes pieces from the Dalai Lama, Wendell Berry, Albert Einstein, Thich Nhat Hanh, and children and others from around the world.

Tucker, Mary Evelyn, and John A. Grim, eds. Worldviews and Ecology: Religion, Philosophy, and the Environment. Orbis (1994). I
This book offers an insightful collection of essays, written by authors situated within their diverse religious and cultural contexts.  The first part explores environmentalism from Native American and world-religion perspectives.  The second part includes essays from some of today’s foremost environmental ethicists and theologians.

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  Poetry, Prayer, and Meditation

Berry, Wendell. The Collected Poems of Wendell Berry: 1957-1982. North Point Press (1985). I
In this volume Berry collects those poems, as he puts it, that he cares “to have reread.”  He poignantly writes of family, farming, nature and ecology, land, community, and tradition as “the groundwork for life and culture.”
—.Sabbaths. North Point Press (1987). I
Skillfully written over seven years of Sabbaths in the solitude of his hillside retreat, Berry candidly reveals his spirituality and ponderings on relationships with the land and people who comprise his community.  Each poem is like a brief, wisdom-filled retreat.

Cornell, Joseph. Listening to Nature: How to Deepen Your Awareness of Nature. Dawn Publications (1987). I
As with his children’s books, Cornell guides people of all ages into the experience of the “serenity and mystery of the natural world.”  Individuals and groups can heighten this experience through the book’s beautiful photography, inspiring quotations, and awareness-building activities.

Daniel, John, ed. Wild Song: Poems of the Natural World. University of Georgia Press (1998). I
An excellent collection of contemporary American nature poetry compiled by the poetry editor of Wilderness magazine.  It includes writings from Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, Naomi Shihab Nye, William Stafford, Denise Levertov, Robert Bly, Pattiann Rogers, and others.

Levertov, Denise. Evening Train. New Directions Books (1992).  Sands of the Well. New Directions Books (1996).  The Great Unknowing. New Directions Books (2000).  (And several other books of poetry and prose.) I
Levertov’s deeply moving poetry reflects her love of Earth and her home (the Puget Sound region).  These collections reveal Levertov’s passion for justice, faith, and hope for this planetary home.

Oliver, Mary. New and Selected Poems. Beacon Press (1992). I
This National Book Award-winning collection showcases Oliver’s skillful reflections over a twenty-eight-year period.  The reader will discover an increasing intermingling of the poet’s faith, thoughts, and reflections on the natural world.

Roberts, Elizabeth, and Elias Amadon, eds. Earth Prayers from Around the World: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. HarperCollins (1991). I
This is a treasure chest of prayers and poems about Earth from different religious traditions.  A reverent book.

Rogers, Pattiann. Firekeeper: New and Selected Poems. Milkweed Editions (1994). I
Barry Lopez writes, “…if angels were to agree upon a language to describe creation, a tone of voice and a point of view that would adequately celebrate the divine, these would be the poems they would write.”  Truly a feast for heart and spirit.

Roth, Nancy. Organic Prayer. Cowley Publications (1993). I
Pick up your garden tools and get to work.  With Roth’s help, readers can experience their time in the garden as a spiritual encounter.  Roth’s book is full of deep insights, eloquent writing and very practical prayer and meditation exercises.

Rowthorn, Anne, ed. Earth and All the Stars: Reconnecting with Nature through Hymns, Stories, Poems, Prayers from the World’s Great Religions and Cultures. New World Library (2000). I
This collection includes pieces from the Dalai Lama, Wendell Berry, Albert Einstein, Thich Nhat Hanh, and children and others from around the world.

Snyder, Gary. No Nature: New and Selected Poems. Pantheon (1993). I
This collection announces an ethical and spiritual vision of how humans can live within Earth’s community of life.  A celebration of the natural world.

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Religion and Science

Barbour, Ian G. Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues. HarperCollins (1997). A
A definitive contemporary discussion of the many issues that surround understandings of God, religious beliefs, and science.  This is a significantly expanded and freshly revised version of Barbour’s Religion in an Age of Science, winner of the American Academy of Religion Award for Excellence and the Templeton Book Award.

Goodenough, Ursula. The Sacred Depths of Nature. Oxford University Press (2000). I
Goodenough, a leading cell biologist and author of the widely used textbook Genetics, offers this emotionally vibrant work that interweaves modern scientific understandings with ageless spiritual reverence for creation.

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Simpler Living

Andrews, Cecile. The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life. HarperCollins (1998). I
This is an excellent resource for those who seek to live in ways that are less impactful on creation, other human communities, and on themselves.  Andrews begins with a non-dogmatic description of the philosophy that undergirds her own commitment to living more simply.  Her one-size-doesn’t-fit-all approach serves as an invitation to readers to examine their own lives and sources of true joy.  She also includes a study guide for creating “simplicity study circles” – a Swedish derived process that brings people together to intimately explore their own life stories and share information and knowledge.

Brower, Michael, and Warren Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Three Rivers Press (1999).  I
At a time when readers can find books containing 1001 things that they can do to “save the Earth,” this book provides a hopeful and clear path for leading a more Earth-honoring life.  The authors use reader-friendly language to describe some of the most pressing ecological concerns of our time.  Then they prioritize helpful actions that will have the most beneficial impacts on the planet.

DeGraaf, John, Thomas H. Naylor, and David Wann. Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. Berrett-Koehler (2001).
Based on the acclaimed documentary, Affluenza, this book explores the environmental, social, community, and spiritual costs of highly acquisitive living.  Not only do the authors present the costly symptoms but they also present some of the most promising remedies for this societal “illness.”

Elgin, Duane. Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich. Quill (1981, 1993). I
Elgin, with his great concern for ecological and spiritual health, presents possibilities for “living with balance in order to find a life of greater purpose.”  He draws upon diverse worldviews (e.g., Eastern religions, Quaker) for inspiration and guidance, and offers readers helpful ideas for action.

Schut, Michael (ed. and comp.). Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective (1999). I
This anthology (thirty-two readings) and study guide looks at voluntary simplicity from a Christian perspective.  Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Cecile Andrews, and host of other writers explore money, time, the environment, community, and related topics – offering “a compelling alternative vision of a healthy, whole, and balanced life.” (-Jim Wallis, Sojourners.)  For personal and group study (curriculum included).  

Shi, David. The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture. Oxford University Press (1985). I
An historical overview of the practice of voluntary simplicity in America – with detailed exploration of important spiritual and community dimensions in this practice.

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The State of Earth

Brower, Michael, and Marren Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Three Rivers Press (1999). I
At a time when readers can find books containing 1001 things that they can do to “save the Earth,” this book provides a hopeful and clear path for leading a more Earth-honoring life.  The authors use reader-friendly language to describe some of the most pressing ecological concerns of our time.  Then they prioritize helpful actions that will have the most beneficial impacts on the planet.

Brown, Lester R., ed. State of the World. Norton (1984-2001). I
State of the World is a solid, well-written source of accurate environmental information and perspectives on major global environmental issues.  Published by Worldwatch Institute each year, State of the World does not simply provide yearly updates on the same topics – every edition is unique and timely.  Worldwatch also publishes Worldwatch Papers on current aspects of social and environmental issues.  (The Institute’s web site is .)

McKibben, Bill. The End of Nature. Anchor (1999). 
This powerfully unsettling book details many of the our current environmental challenges: global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and other crises.  McKibben, a widely published writer and United Methodist Sunday school teacher, shares his own passionate plea for necessary change in how humans view nature and our actions.

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