"What is the relevance of traditional religion in the world described by contemporary science? Is scientific knowledge a satisfactory ground for the religious experience? Can the language of traditional religion constitute an appropriately modern language of praise?" -from Honey from Stone Framing his meditations as a Book of Hours, scientist Chet Raymo exercises the languages of theology and science to express the majesty of Ireland's remote Dingle Peninsula. As he wanders the land year upon year, Raymo gathers the revelations embedded in the geological and cultural history of this wild and ancient place. "When I called out for the Absolute, I was answered by the wind," Raymo writes. "If it was God's voice in the wind, then I heard it." In poetic prose grounded in a mind trained to discover fact, Honey from Stone enters the wonder of the material world in search of our deepest nature.
Chey Raymo is professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. A teacher, naturalist, and former science columnist for the Boston Globe, he is the author of many books including The Soul of the Night, Climbing Brandon, and The Path.
Chet Raymo, bless him, is one of those enchanting polymaths who are in love with the universe and use the language of science to make up the words for their love songs. So struck is he by the animated magnificence of clouds, hills, oceans, islands and the light in the sky that he makes geology, physics and astronomy into life sciences and then sings in the language of these life sciences to life itself. The Boston Globe Master taleteller, deft and graceful scientist, passionate poet, Raymo is a storycatcher and storysinger of rare humor, hawkness of eye, breadth of biology and physics acumen, and lyricism of line. Trust me when I say that swimming in his stories is elevating, edifying, and exuberant-making. -- Brian Doyle, author of Spirited Men and Epiphanies & Elegies Lovely essays brimming with mysticism. Kirkus Reviews A reverie, an entrancing meditation, on stones and stars and mossy ruins ... Raymo has somehow found a way to invoke magic, without requiring me to believe in it. San Francisco Chronicle A beautiful series of essays that examine science, religion, and the landscape of Kerry... A travel book about the world of ideas. Irish Echo Chet Raymo is simply the best literary naturalist writing today, producing elegantly written, insightful books that open from a seemingly modest premise into a dizzying (and sometimes humbling) view of our place in the universe... He is our apostle of the joy of curiosity. Bookpage
