Inherit the Holy Mountain by Mark Stoll
In Inherit the Holy Mountain, historian Mark Stoll introduces us to the religious roots of the American environmental movement. Religion, he shows, provided environmentalists both with deeply-embedded moral and cultural ways of viewing the world and with content, direction, and tone for the causes they espoused.Stoll discovers that specific denominational origins corresponded with characteristic sets of ideas about nature and the environment as well as distinctive aesthetic reactions to nature, as can be seen in key works of art analyzed throughout the book. Stoll also provides insight into the possible future of environmentalism in the United States, concluding with an examination of the current religious scene and what it portends for the future. By debunking the supposed divide between religion and American environmentalism, Inherit the Holy Mountain opens up a fundamentally new narrative in environmental studies.
If the geographic region of focus is the United States, then the book is mandatoryThe impressive amount of data covered in its pages, and the cohesive narrative that contextualizes and analyzes this data, cannot be captured in a 1,600-word book review. Scholars owe Stoll a debt of gratitude for the 30 years of dedication to crafting this thorough treatment of the impact religion has had on environmentalism in the US. This gratitude should begin with the assignment of this book in graduate seminars devoted to interactions between religion and nature, where it can provide a shining example of scholarship toward which future leaders of the field should aspire. * Todd LeVasseur, Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture *
Spanning five centuries and encompassing religious and enviromental history with a heavy dose of art history, Inherit the Holy Mountain is the product of extensive research and offers a sweeping cultural reinterpretation of the history of American enviromentalism. * Luke Manget, Agricultural History *
He has painted such a rich description of religion in the lives and ideas of American environmentalists that readers will be struck by new insights and want more information about interactions between religion and environmental history. One need not agree with all of his conclusions to appreciate the quality of his research and be excited about the scholarship it will inspire as others respond to his ideas. * Religion *
[An] insightful religious history of environmentalism. * Vincent J. Miller, America Magazine *
It provides a detailed and fascinating genealogical analysis of the religious origins of American environmentalism. This is an impressive, provocative work of synthesis and original scholarship that enriches greatly our understanding of the history of the American environmental movement by placing religion at its core. * William Van Arragon, Fides et Historia *
Mark has written a book that has the potential to change the way environmentalists think about religion and the way religious people think about environmentalism. * Constance M. Furey, H-Environment *
This book grafts American religious history onto American environmental history, merging two distinct narratives, and it richly illustrates their themes with American art history to create a provocative, insightful hybrid. * Todd M. Kerstetter, The Journal of American History *
In Ecology in the 20th Century: A History (1989) historian Anna Bramwell gave the following short characterization of the (radical) environmentalist: 'As well as being saved, he is a protestant.' Bramwell did not elaborate on her provocative statement but now the gap has been filled by this splendid book by Mark Stoll. * Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis *
Mark Stoll's Inherit the Holy Mountain is a fascinating, compelling, and enlightening journey through American history that interweaves religion with environmental preservation. Stoll skillfully narrates the nuanced roles of Calvinists, Congregationalists, Unitarians, and Presbyterians along with the voices of African Americans, Catholics, and Jews in conserving landscapes. Anyone interested in how and why American religious traditions have been so significant in setting aside forests and parks, saving wildlife, and mitigating urban pollution will want to read this book. * Carolyn Merchant, University of California, Berkeley, author of The Death of Nature; Ecological Revolutions; and Reinventing Eden *
a must read ... He provides a panoramic survey, bringing to the discussion a wealth of detailed information, insights, and revelations about this generally neglected subject. ... This book will be of interest in numerous disciplines, including art history, conservation and environmental studies, and religion. * L. E. Sponsel, CHOICE *
Stoll's book is an important contribution to our understanding of the religious roots of environmentalism * David S. Bovee, American Historical Review *
Spanning five centuries and encompassing religious and enviromental history with a heavy dose of art history, Inherit the Holy Mountain is the product of extensive research and offers a sweeping cultural reinterpretation of the history of American enviromentalism. * Luke Manget, Agricultural History *
He has painted such a rich description of religion in the lives and ideas of American environmentalists that readers will be struck by new insights and want more information about interactions between religion and environmental history. One need not agree with all of his conclusions to appreciate the quality of his research and be excited about the scholarship it will inspire as others respond to his ideas. * Religion *
[An] insightful religious history of environmentalism. * Vincent J. Miller, America Magazine *
It provides a detailed and fascinating genealogical analysis of the religious origins of American environmentalism. This is an impressive, provocative work of synthesis and original scholarship that enriches greatly our understanding of the history of the American environmental movement by placing religion at its core. * William Van Arragon, Fides et Historia *
Mark has written a book that has the potential to change the way environmentalists think about religion and the way religious people think about environmentalism. * Constance M. Furey, H-Environment *
This book grafts American religious history onto American environmental history, merging two distinct narratives, and it richly illustrates their themes with American art history to create a provocative, insightful hybrid. * Todd M. Kerstetter, The Journal of American History *
In Ecology in the 20th Century: A History (1989) historian Anna Bramwell gave the following short characterization of the (radical) environmentalist: 'As well as being saved, he is a protestant.' Bramwell did not elaborate on her provocative statement but now the gap has been filled by this splendid book by Mark Stoll. * Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis *
Mark Stoll's Inherit the Holy Mountain is a fascinating, compelling, and enlightening journey through American history that interweaves religion with environmental preservation. Stoll skillfully narrates the nuanced roles of Calvinists, Congregationalists, Unitarians, and Presbyterians along with the voices of African Americans, Catholics, and Jews in conserving landscapes. Anyone interested in how and why American religious traditions have been so significant in setting aside forests and parks, saving wildlife, and mitigating urban pollution will want to read this book. * Carolyn Merchant, University of California, Berkeley, author of The Death of Nature; Ecological Revolutions; and Reinventing Eden *
a must read ... He provides a panoramic survey, bringing to the discussion a wealth of detailed information, insights, and revelations about this generally neglected subject. ... This book will be of interest in numerous disciplines, including art history, conservation and environmental studies, and religion. * L. E. Sponsel, CHOICE *
Stoll's book is an important contribution to our understanding of the religious roots of environmentalism * David S. Bovee, American Historical Review *
Mark Stoll is Associate Professor of History and Director of Environmental Studies at Texas Tech University.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780190230869 |
| ISBN 10 | 019023086X |
| Title | Inherit the Holy Mountain |
| Author | Mark Stoll |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc |
| Year published | 2015-06-25 |
| Number of pages | 424 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |