Books

Available in paperback, ebook and audio*

Order through your favorite book source

Fuller (2007)

Once Upon a Faith (2021)

Muir (2001)

Edge of the Falls (2021)

From Faith to Freethought (2021)

Highland Views (2022)

Thoreau (2002)

Friendly Freethinker (2021)

Beyond the Boundaries of Belief (2022)

Emerson (2004)

One Nature Indivisible (2022)

Nature is Enough (2021)

Intersections (2022)

Eye to Eye (2022)

Birds, Beetles, Bears and Beliefs (2021)

Burroughs (2007)

Rambling Reflections (2023)

Breath, Death and Koheleth (2021)

Novella (2011)

Humanist Meditations (2023)

A Secular Gospel (2021)

Simply Secular (2021)

Broken Bridges (2020)

A Freethinker’s Gospel (2018)

Whitman (2004)

My Address is a River (2021)

Affable, Amiable Apostate (2022)

The Message on the Mountain (2021)

Was Jesus a Humanist? (2021)

Available in paperback, ebook and audio*

Order through your favorite book source

(*many of these are available as audiobooks)

Please consider giving “stars” & a review!

Selected Reviews

“His stories reveal many practical, often small, ways that systemic change can be fostered through our social and individual relationships. Here there are rays of hope for restoring our broken world.”
Dr. Mark Rutledge, Campus Minister at Duke University (Retired)

“I read it last Sunday. Well done! Trying to make this world better through reasoned discourse.”

“I liked the essays there and am in agreement with most of what’s said—I am a free thinker after all!”

“Usually when I read a book I’ll pass it along and never see it again. “Broken Bridges” is one that I will add to my small library of books that I keep. They all have special meaning to me, but “Broken Bridges” touches my very soul.”

“Most uplifting and informative and thought provoking.”

“Broken Bridges is excellent writing and excellent thinking, in my opinion. I read it a second time in small sections, to contemplate them more fully, as a good way to start my mornings.”

“I am a fairly new ex-evangelical (2 years or so) and I have been looking for books and other resources to help me discover ways to enter this new step in my life. This great book offered a perspective into relating to people of other faiths/ no faiths that finally made sense to me. Many atheist resources are very hostile towards belief and try to outsmart those that they deem to not be as good or as intelligent as them. I appreciated Chris and the short stories he shares because it gave me the hope that I can build bridges and love people simply because we are human. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone!” (Amazon Review)

“What he writes is exactly what I have been believing for some time, but not being a writer unable to express myself to others. It is one of those books you just can not put down once you opened it … I will reread it many times as it is full of gems!” (Amazon Review)

“I really enjoyed the theme of Broken Bridges. The author, Chris Highland, draws on his vast experiences as a chaplain, and this book is filled with interesting stories about real people. Overall, it’s about identifying the ways in which people of varying beliefs and viewpoints can find pathways to unity. Because of the many insightful tips it offers, it’s a particularly helpful book for those who work in positions of leadership within the community. It’s also a thought-provoking read that will leave you feeling optimistic, which we could all use a little more of these days.” (Amazon Review)

“Chris Highland invites us to walk with him into the thick of a world divided by religious traditions. Here he shows us that hope has not been lost, that bridges can be built, and that even here community is alive.” (Amazon Review)

“Chris Highland brings a wealth of experience in the form of stories and reflections on what divides us and where we can find common cause and a way forward. It seems we have never been more deeply divided and could easily be tempted to despair. This book inspires and informs all those who long for a better world and who are willing to think and act creatively.” (Amazon Review)

“I’m really enjoying your book and am finding myself very much at home within it.”

“You are making a considerable contribution by the publication of this book, and you are encouraging all of us to taste from the menu of faith tradition in order to celebrate diversity and to dive deeper into spiritual exploration. I hope that this collection of your articles will reach far beyond these hills!”

“Lately, I’ve heard increasing numbers of people say that, when they go into nature, they feel like they are at church. This collection of essays from Asheville Citizen-Times columnist Chris Highland might be their hymnal. A Freethinker’s Gospel is a book for those who find meaning under tree canopies as easily as in cathedrals.”

“More of these kinds of books are needed. In my humble opinion, many atheists and freethinkers spend far too much effort attacking religion and believers.”

“Freethinkers Gospel continues to bring healing to me after years of feeling dismissed by my family and church. Your writing is validating, yet soothing and balanced. You express your thoughts with compassion that is consistent with a humanist stance. It’s as if you kept the best part of yourself and left behind all that is wrong with religion. I sincerely appreciate you!”

Chris Highland’s First Book is still popular!

Meditations of John Muir, over 70,000 copies sold

(17th printing in 2021)

Amazon Review: “There was no gift or treasure that I could buy that is comparable to the deeply moving passages and meditations in this book. All of the meditations/passages are truly captivating. The poetic quality of Muir is deeply stirring and created this sense of urgency for me to stop, appreciate and humble myself to the complete and utter majesty of nature. This book is to be both consumed and savored for the magical and soul-stirring work of art it is. Absolutely breathtaking.”

John Muir Fans FB comment: “I LOVE this book! Have had my copy for many years and it is bookmarked, dog-eared and underlined in various inks. Each time I read the passages, I find something new to contemplate. It is my personal bible. Thank you for compiling and issuing this gem.”

Goodreads Reviewer: “Beautiful to read and to flip through. Great language and really puts you in his shoes. Thoughtful but not heavy. Good for people loving nature or those who have a bit of a spiritual side. Or both, I would recommend!!”

Publishers’ Weekly: “Highland has juxtaposed long quotes from Muir’s journals with short reflections drawn from sacred texts the world over. With its small size and attractive format, this book makes the perfect addition to every naturalist’s knapsack.”

Podcaster: “For years I have owned and enjoyed your “Meditations of John Muir”, one of my heroes, (along with Emerson and Thoreau). As a fellow freethinker, I am fascinated by the message, and resonate with your approach that your writings “are not for the ‘faint of faith’ or the ‘aggressive of atheism.”

Nature Meditations Series

(2001)

(2002)

(2004)

(2004)

(2007)

(2007)

Available in paperback or ebook

Order through your favorite book source

Please consider giving “stars” & a review!

“I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your amazing works! I have always been a reader but the last few months I have been unable to find anything to keep my interest, then one day while visiting the Adirondacks I found Meditations of Henry David Thoreau and I couldn’t put it down, I then purchased Meditations of John Muir and Meditations of John Burroughs and I couldn’t put those down either.
I absolutely love how you have organized these works of art, the wording, the photos and you have put into words my thoughts and feelings regarding God, Nature and being more with God in nature than in a church. I have just ordered 3 more of your books Once Upon a Faith, Meditations of Margaret Fuller and Meditations of Walt Whitman!
As a mother, wife, teacher, farmer and lover of the outdoors I truly appreciate your books, thank you so much for these wonderful contributions to our world! I look forward to reading more of your books as you have become one of my favorite authors! God Bless you.”

Trauma Professional: “I just found your books and they are amazing. I have read three of them so far Walt Whitman, Thoreau, and Muir. I used to read much of these in high school and college. I am now 57 and work in the field of trauma. I came back to these works and found your presentation of them to truly be comforting. I wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of your work. It’s truly an inspiration, we need more people like you out there.”

Also by Chris Highland

Novella

Jesus and John Muir (2010, republished 2021)

I am happy to report that following my wonderful visit to Concord, Massachusetts, the Shop at Walden Pond now carries all six books in the “nature meditations” series