Great Cause -- The Path to the Future of Humanity

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Features: Berry believes that we are at a decisive moment in history. At this moment, the Earth itself calls us to engage in the re-enchantment of nature—a new ecological beginning. Berry is our conscience, our prophet, and our guide. With a voice that is inclusive, universal, generous, and wise, he tells us what is good. His great work should and must be ours.—Chet Remee in Orion
Thomas Berry is one of the most outstanding cultural historians of our time. Here, he reaches the pinnacle of his thought, urging us to transform a disruptive force on the Earth into a benevolent one. This transformation is the great work—the necessary and noble work that we will always undertake. Berry's message is not one of apocalypse but of hope. He reminds us that the function of society, particularly of universities and other educational institutions, should be to guide students to appreciate rather than develop the world around us. Berry is the Earth's most important spokesperson, and his profound insights into ecology illuminate the path———that we need to take in ethics, politics, economics, and education if both we and this planet are to survive. This is a prophetic book, filled with wisdom, knowledge, and persuasion.—Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University
Perhaps every century brings forth someone who emerges from the trembling heap of the universal. With a clear language, he proclaims the meaning of universality. Thomas Berry is such a figure. I believe that The Great Work will be embedded in the minds of people as a touchstone, its wisdom rooted in the Bible, supporting us to continue to live healthily on Earth.—Thomas R. Reilly in The Bloomsbury Review
Thomas Berry once again demonstrates that he is one of the few who can be counted as having a religious mind.—Wes Jackson, president of the Land Institute
Truly, it is the great work! Thomas Berry provides clear and profound thinking that will benefit us throughout our lives. He points out our task and shows us the special trials we must face, like those faced by our ancestors. This is a work that makes the blood boil.—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature
Thomas Berry is the poet of cosmic evolution. He accurately finds the mythic dimension and moral significance behind scientific facts.—Theodore Roszak in The Voice of Earth and Ecopsychology
We can imagine how different American society would be if the ideas contained in this book were taught in every secondary school. For this comprehensive exposition and cultural-historical warning, we can only express our gratitude and admiration, and extend our respect to those human members who are engaged in the truly great work.—Virginia Barner in Parabola
This book aims to explore the human problem on this planet Earth in the early 21st century. We must understand where we are and how we got there. Once we understand these issues, we can move forward with our historical destiny and create a mode of co-evolution between humans and the Earth on the planet we inhabit. Now, as we become increasingly obsessed with science, technology, and business plans, it seems we are waiting for some wonderful world to come, while in the process, we are causing great destruction to the world around us. When we begin to think about our current situation, we might first consider the wonders of the Earth—how it became such a garden planet in the universe—and what role humans play in this situation. To appreciate our current circumstances, we might also need to develop a new intimacy with the North American continent. When seeking the path to the future, we need the guidance and support of this continent.