This is the archetypal ecological book. The author, a monthly columnist for "The New York Times" and writer-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, believes that dirt is linked to hundreds of fascinating subjects while serving as the seedbed for work, motion, and life. Logan's anatomy of dirt and soil formation takes into its embrace cosmic dust and compost, worms and dung beetles, rocks and earthquakes, dowsing and the ancient practice of husbandry. After perusing this fascinating work, you'll never ever view dirt as something negative. Or as Logan concludes, "Dirt is a gift of each to all."