"John Hart's THE SPIRIT OF THE EARTH pro-vides a theological perspective from which to assess what we are doing to our earth and how we could begin to respond creatively in the face of the present policies which, if unchecked, will lead to the destruc-tion of both the earth and ourselves. This should become a basic work in its field."

Robert McAfee Brown

"In THE SPIRIT OF THE EARTH, John Hart demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the practical and moral problems that must be faced by every American who truly loves the land."

George McGovern

"THE SPIRIT OF THE EARTH is a clear and suc-cinct statement of Catholic theology and ethics of the land. Its pages give a concise picture of our American heritage in terms of land ownership. Above all, this work gives people of religious conviction some practical ways to build on this historical framework, political and economic structures that embrace the best of the ethical theory

of justice on the land." George Speltz, D.D., Bishop of St. Cloud

John Hart is currently associate professor of reli-gious studies at the College of Great Falls, Montana. Dr. Hart has his theology degree from Union Theo-logical Seminary in New York. He was the principal author of "Strangers and Guests: Toward Commun-ity in the Heartland-A Regional Catholic Bishops' Statement on Land Issues" and the author of TOPIA AND UTOPIA (Orbis Books).