Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature

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If you've ever wondered whether religion promotes or hinders environmental concern and action, or whether environments shape religion, or why in recent decades there has been such a fuss about such questions, you'll have difficulty putting down this remarkable encyclopedia. This work is global in scope, both geographically and chronologically, with 1000 entries, covering nearly every imaginable subject. It is a must-have resource for all College and University Libraries, and many environmental studies programs, and departments and scholars that attend to religion, culture, and the environment will want to have a copy of their own. But it written accessibly and would be a valuable resource for community and high school libraries, churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions, as well. But don't take my word for it. The introduction, sample entries, and entry and contributor lists, are provided at www.religionandnature.com, will make it easy to judge for yourself the value of this monumental work.

This is not your standard "what does religion X think about the natural world and humans" kind of book. After the Introduction, the Reader's Guide suggests reading these five entries first: Environmental Ethics, Religious Studies and Environmental Concern, Ecology and Religion, Ecological Anthropology, and Social Science on Religion and Nature. I think that gives a good idea of the focus of the work. Individual entries run from Edward Abbey to Zulu War Rituals, with most including cross-references and additional reading lists.

Despite some reservations, I absolutely delight in reading these volumes and look forward to years of enjoyment from them and from other works they lead me to. I write this despite being an atheist, but one who believes that if anything could right our relationship with the world we live it, it would be a change in attitude not science or new technology.

My biggest problem is the physical size and weight of the two volumes. They'd be great on a library's reference shelf, but they're tough on the forearms in a chair or the chest when reading in bed, and aren't something you'd want to cart around to read on your commute. Every entry I've tried so far has been very readable, some even literary and poetic. As an individual, I wish this came in a more usable set of more volumes with fewer pages.

There are some topics which would seem very appropriate entry subjects which aren't covered such as biotechnology, cloning, and energy issues especially nuclear power. Perhaps they're mentioned in broader topics but they don't have their own entries.

The entries I've read on individuals are written by supporters. One doesn't get any sense of the controversies and range of opinion surrounding the ideas and works of Ed Abbey and Carol Adams, to take a couple early examples. I can see the value of such a positive approach as a first introduction to someone's work; just be aware you're not getting a complete evaluation or objective opinion in cases like these.

I happened to get these hardcovers at a great price, much less than the price of the coming paperback edition, but I'd consider these a bargain at full price.