I agree with the premise of this book; that we should reconnect with insects. However, Lauck seems to need connections that include telepathy with ants, Jungian synchronicity, spiders that warn people of danger, and an out-of-body experience as a butterfly. She seems willing to accept these individual antidotal accounts, but does not accept, or seek a deeper understanding of ecological thinking. The book works best at discussing insect mythology and she covers a wide variety of cultures. Kritsky and Cherry's "Insect Mythology" is also a useful source of these myths. The stories promote enthusiastic awareness and compassion, and avoiding thinking of individual insects as adversaries. She off-hand dismissed the "male dominated Judea-Christian tradition", but I think a deeper reading of the Bible (e.g. Noah's Arc, and "Consider the Ant), would help people of that tradition to connect also.

She rejects some preventative health advice, and I think it is irresponsible to advocate "sharing your blood" with mosquitoes in this day of West Nile virus. I think it is possible to connect with insects by trying to understand them on their own terms, and as part of the ecosystem, rather than as a human centered signpost. Sue Hubbells' "Broadsides from the other orders", promote a connection with insects without the sensationalism. My own studies in dragonfly migration, promote my connection to insects, and I think readers would do well to study insects directly. The scientific references are often vague, and "Discover" magazine seems to be her main scientific reference.

The Voice Of The Infinite In The Small: Re-Visioning The Insect-Human Connection by writer and environmental educator Joanne Elizabeth Lauck is an inspirational collection of thoughts about what people can learn from observing some of the smallest of Earth's creatures -- the insects. Personal anecdotes, little snippets of wisdom, and insightful metaphors for fate of humankind abound throughout the pages of this meaningful and very highly recommended philosophical examination of nature and the natural environment.

Berry may be the only "geologian" - Earth scholar. As an 11 year old he had an epiphanal experience in a meadow that gave him a new sense of reality. Later as a priest of the Passionist order, he took the name Thomas after Thomas Aquinas, and is influenced by Aquinas' rediscovery of the universe and quotes from Summa Theologica. The first two essays introduce his cosmology under the broad topics "Economics" and "The earth: a new context for religious unity".

The remaining seven essays present a critique of Berry. Almost all are appreciative of Berry's view point even if differing. There are different perspectives offered on how strongly the Bible and the Redemption story should fit in to this evolving earth story. Physicist Brian Swimme offers a scientific perspective, of "science as a partner", on both the role of science in providing the story but also on the role of Berry in teaching to science. Additionally Berry is critiqued from a feminist standpoint. The book concludes with Berry's 12 principles for understanding the universe.

This book offers an introduction to Berry, and through the critiques and "Questions for discussion" after each chapter provides a useful whetstone for thinking about his new cosmology.

Don't be misled. Because Thomas Berry is promoted as a Catholic priest, many people are falsely led to believe that his books present Catholic or Christian teaching about the environment. Instead, this book presents a New Age blend of do-it-yourself religion mixed with pseudo-science. If you're into that, you'll probably like this book...

"Dream of the Earth" should be considered a definitive work of 20th century, but, sadly, it has been overlooked by most of the populace. So powerfully written and earnest in some places that I was actually moved to tears, this book serves as a final plea and loose guide on how to save the planet - and with it, ourselves. In a broader sense, the book serves as a history of the human condition, how we came to be in the fix we are in today, and what massive, cultural changes need to take place in order to retain the last scraps of our mythic, extraordinary being.

Most see the coming ecological cataclysm (the next 50 years) as impossible to avoid or as nonsense. It is neither of those things. If this book doesn't drive you to change your lifestyle, nothing will.

A friend recently recommended this book. In this deep-ecology classic, Berry examines man's relationship with the earth. He explores our mistaken beliefs that we are separate from the planet, and that it exists solely for human destruction, pollution, exploitation and profit. He encourages us to take responsibility. This book forever changed the way I will look at our world. Read it. Then read Wes Nisker's "Buddha's Nature" (1998/2000) to learn, from a buddhist perspective, how to put Berry's "dream" into everyday practice.

Thomas Berry promotes a "new story" of the universe, also known as the "Earth story," "Universe story," or "new cosmology." The new cosmology essentially is a bio-centric, Godless, New Age, and scientific account of creation, rather than a God-centered religious story. Sadly, Berry is widely promoted as a Catholic author, yet there is nothing Catholic about this book. In fact, the book is generally critical of Christianity and Western Culture. During our time of environmental crisis, we need to turn to God, the Creator of the universe. This book will only steer us away. Save your money. There are better Christian faith and ecology books out there.

Tom Berry has been called the "Bard of the New Cosmology" and so he is! His thoughts challenge those rooted in authoritarian structures and flatland awareness. His views challenge those who find extreme security in their myths and dogmatic positions. These people have made a career of striking back with an authoritarian thunder when challenged with a more comprehensive unfolding of the Cosmos. Berry's explication brings science and religion together without authoritative fiat rooted in dogma--what Ken Wilbur calls "Deep Religion." Deep religion honors the developmental spirial of conciousness and the EXPERIENTIAL awareness that mystics are privy to and speak of so eloquently and forcefully. Berry's book brings the enviornmental crisis in focus and calls for human transformation of every aspect of human unfolding: political, educational, corporate, sociological, and religious. It is no wonder those who remain rooted in the systems of the Earth's demise so forcefully attack this Great and surely Prophetic Man.

Most people who love the Earth and fear its demise will relate to and devour this book. You may labor at times, but the fruit is abundant. You'll understand more clearly the deep causes in our cultural evolution that have put the Earth at risk. The solution is an immense undertaking, but Berry reminds us there's hope, and that we aren't alone. The human community, and more importantly, the larger life/Earth/Universe community, is available and at work, in us. How can it not be, when it was those communities from which we came? The developing universe, as Berry writes. When you adequately understand the causes of the problems, when you can identify them both outside and within, you move in a better direction. Berry provides an un-numbered, un-listed direction, one that is heard with more than the rational mind. Yet, he articulates better than I could have imagined. He gives an immense hope and guides toward that most important of all energies at this time, the psychic energy necessary for confronting and walking forward, for preparing oneself for real action, real work. That is a big thing. If you have wrung your hands at the seeming impossibility of correcting the wrongs done to the Earth, read this book. Berry doesn't give you concrete things to do, his words work into your creative area, your reflective mind, your spirit.
The folks who reacted negatively in review of this book missed the point or had other expectations. They almost kept me from purchasing The Great Work. I'm glad I bought it. It's one of the two or three most important works I've read.

This is the worst study set I have ever read in my life. It is not worth the money you pay. In addition I wouldn't read this it even if I was paid to do so.

- Java Developer Magazine Editor. John Marshall.