This book investigates the historical intersection between American religious traditions and the development of the modern environmental movement. Author Mark Stoll, a professor of history and environmental studies, utilizes a multidisciplinary framework that combines biography, art history, and religious studies to argue that environmental activism is deeply rooted in the moral and mental landscapes shaped by diverse American faiths. By examining the lives of key figures and the visual culture of the era, Stoll demonstrates how specific theological backgrounds informed the conservation and preservation efforts that define American environmentalism.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this work for its innovative approach to connecting cultural history with environmental policy. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of how personal faith shapes public advocacy.