Focuses on the effects of the indiscriminate use of chemicals, describing how pesticides and insecticides are applied almost universally to farms, forests, gardens and homes with scant regard to the contamination of the environment and the destruction of wildlife.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Carson's books brought ecology into popular consciousness (Daily Telegraph )
If anybody asked me to write about my hero, it would be Rachel Carson (A. S. Byatt )
Rachel Carson educated a planet... One of the most effective books ever written (Guardian )
Carson's book has changed the world (The Times ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
If anybody asked me to write about my hero, it would be Rachel Carson (A. S. Byatt )
Rachel Carson educated a planet... One of the most effective books ever written (Guardian )
Carson's book has changed the world (The Times ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From the Back Cover
Now recognised as one of the most influential books of the Twentieth Century, Silent Spring exposed the destruction of wildlife through the widespread use of pesticides. Despite condemnation in the press and heavy-handed attempts by the chemical industry to ban the book, Rachel Carson succeeded in creating a new public awareness of the environment which led to changes in government policy and inspired the modern ecological movement.
'Very few books change the course of history. Those that have include ... Silent Spring.' Linda Lear, author of Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
THERE WAS ONCE a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THERE WAS ONCE a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. Read the first page
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Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read the original version of this book published in 1962, and I believe this book should be compulsory reading not only for every person who says that s/he cares for the environment, but also for those that say they don't care. Maybe it'll make them care. The book is a strong indictment against the chemical industry and the havoc that their products create in every part of the world (including our cosy homes), about the dangers of more and more insects and pests becoming resistent to chemicals and a strong call to look for alternatives that do not damage all our lives (animal, plant and human). But when I read the newspapers, not much appears to have changed in almost 40 years: many of us (especially politicians) still live in the back pockets of the chemical industry! After all, money and jobs are more important than saving what is left, isn't it?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A. Patterson
Format:Paperback
"The sedge is wither'd from the lake, and no bird sings." So begins this book with an eerie quote from Keats. Imagine a world without birdsong, with decreased biodiversity and increasingly threatened species, on account of human ignorance and technological pollution. Rachel Carson tells it like it is in Silent Spring, credited by many as the book which ignited the environmental revolution in the 60's. "What we have to face is not an occasional dose of poison which has accidentally got into some article of food, but a persistent and continuous poisoning of the whole human environment". Written in 1962, this book is more relevant today than ever, and based on science that still holds good. It will basically scare the hell out of you- you may never reach for an innocent looking can of fly spray or some other household chemical again. The science of Clinical Ecology wasn't around when Rachel Carson wrote this book, and I credit her with founding a whole science based on her tireless work of advocacy for the cause against the agrochemical and pharmaceutical machine. Due to family circumstances and her humanity in caring for her sick and elderly parents, and then her own breast cancer, she was unable to undertake doctoral work. I believe she is a worthy candidate for a posthumous award- a shining light in the science world who deserves far more credit for her work.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Sarakani
Format:Paperback
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.
Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.
This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.
I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.
This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.
Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.
This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.
I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.
This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
depressed
rather depressed after reading this and its a bit dragged out. proberbly a great book if you are studying in this area but not bed time reading.
Published 2 months ago by mark
1.0 out of 5 stars
A TRAVESTY
Since this was published, many of its theories and conjecture have been shown to be seriously flawed, particularly in reference to the supposed harmful effects of DDT. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. T. W. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking
As a seminal publication in the world of conservation this book provided the motivation for so many conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Environmentalism
This 50th anniversary edition should be read and absorbed and then acted upon by everyone. Protecting our planet is not a new idea, sustainability can be achieved, unfortunately... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mary Fitzgerald
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Arrived quickly and as stated. Bought it as a gift and they loved reading it. Maybe just a bit too pricey.
Published 9 months ago by Sunshine
5.0 out of 5 stars
An important work
It's the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Silent Spring. In 1962 Carson's analysis was both ground breaking and controversial. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Paul Jeater
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good buy to read such a classic
Can't decide what I think of this book- over the top or truthful and down to earth? Anyway, it is a definite read.
Published 14 months ago by Ms. Katrina Beach
5.0 out of 5 stars
Food for Thought 50 years on
My Biology teacher recomended this book as a must read almost 50 years ago. I finally got round to reading it recently and it's message is as true today as it was back in the early... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Alcedo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very intersting
I brought this to do some background reading before I go to university. It is very interesting and even though it was written in the 60's it has a lot of useful and interesting... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Emily Tabernor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silent Spring - a warning
I borrowed this book from the local library so was aware of its content, but it was not on the library shelves and had to be ordered. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Greeneliza
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