Spirit of Fire is a dynamic and dramatic biography of Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), a Jesuit theologian and scientist who pioneered a holistic, earth-cherishing, and mystical spirituality. The French-born priest used his extensive training in geology and paleontology to pursue scientific projects in China and South Africa. However, his attempts to work out a theological synthesis of evolution and Christianity were rejected by Catholic authorities in Rome who forbid him to publish or lecture on religious matters during his lifetime. This magisterial biography written by theChair of Theology and Religious studies at the University of Bristol, England, serves as a fitting tribute to this visionary whose ambitious works, including The Divine Milieu, The Heart of Matter, and Hymn of the Universe, were only published after his death.