Honey from Stone: A Naturalist's Search for God

Rating:
Summary: Chet Raymo's small book reconciles mysticism and science.
Review: Chet Raymo's book beautifully reconciles the traditions of mysticism and science. In a form which follows the monastic hours, he uses the natural environment of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland to discuss the wonder of the Universe. He makes it clear that the more we understand about how the Universe works, the more mysterious and wonderful it is. The prose is simple and clear.This is a graceful and heartening book. I highly recommend it

Rating:
Summary: A beautifully soft merger of science, religion & curiosity.
Review: Chet Raymo's Honey From Stone is a heart-warming collection of essays. It shares deep and thoughtful ideas with the generous grace of a dear friend. By using the monastic hours as the framework for his essays Raymo gently reminds us of the sacred nature of the universe. By discussing the this universe through the awesome display of its skies he reminds us of the dramatic grandeur we are part of. And he uses the rocky Dingle Peninsula of Ireland to tell us that this awesome splendor, this grandeur and these miracles are right here beneath our feet. In his search for God, Raymo finds it revealed in the stones, the skies and the hedgehogs that delight and inspire his musings. The amount of science that informs his delight is impressive. He teaches geology, astronomy, history, botany and zoology on these rambles as easily as lying on great stones, watching a brilliant meteor shower silently illuminate the skies.

Rating:
Summary: Hedgehogs and galaxies: gifts from Chet Raymo
Review: Chet Raymo's Honey From Stone is a heart-warming collection of essays. It shares deep and thoughtful ideas with the generous grace of a dear friend. By using the monastic hours as the framework for his essays Raymo gently reminds us of the sacred nature of the universe. By discussing the this universe through the awesome display of its skies he reminds us of the dramatic grandeur we are part of. And he uses the rocky Dingle Peninsula of Ireland to tell us that this awesome splendor, this grandeur and these miracles are right here beneath our feet. In his search for God, Raymo finds it revealed in the stones, the skies and the hedgehogs that delight and inspire his musings. The amount of science that informs his delight is impressive. He teaches geology, astronomy, history, botany and zoology on these rambles as easily as lying on great stones, watching a brilliant meteor shower silently illuminate the skies.

Rating:
Summary: A beautifully soft merger of science, religion & curiosity.
Review: Raymo provides one more well written and often sought answer that bridges the gap between scientific paradigms, religious beliefs and basic human curiosity. The one talent that underlies all of human evolution's ebbs and flows is curiosity. Curiosity drove the first humans to ask the questions, Why? What? When? Where? and our own creative talents answered those questions with scientific explorations into the natural concrete world as well as with more ineffable, spiritual answers of Religion. However, some time ago, as Raymo explains, religion and science suffered a rift and that rift has grown wide . . . losing the recognition of their common beginning. Raymo moves between the vastness of the universe and the equally vast human need for "God" and ties them together again, promoting an appreciation for the big bang, evolution, creation, the unknown recesses and reaches of the world, and the undeniable miracles of life. A sit down, curl up by the fire, read aloud piece that eases all mundane frustrations!

Rating:
Summary: "Lovely essays brimming with mysticism." --Kirkus Reviews
Review: Set on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula, Honey From Stone artfully weaves a poet's evocation of landscape with meditations on astronomy, natural history, and spiritual lore

Rating:
Summary: This is a beautifully written book
Review: This book is a beautifully written exploration of the Irish coast, the mystery of the stars and the potential meeting of science and spirituality. After reading this book I always look at the night sky with a greater appreciation of the mystery and wonder of the starry night