It should come as no surprise that the gifted author of The Sea
Around Us and its successors can take another branch of science-
that phase of biology indicated by the term ecology- and bring it
so sharply into focus that any intelligent layman can understand
what she is talking about. Understand, yes, and shudder, for she
has drawn a living portrait of what is happening to this balance
nature has decreed in the science of life - and what man is doing
(and has done) to destroy it and create a science of death. Death
to our birds, to fish, to wild creatures of the woods- and, to a
degree as yet undetermined, to man himself. World War II hastened
the program by releasing lethal chemicals for destruction of
insects that threatened man's health and comfort, vegetation that
needed quick disposal. The war against insects had been under way
before, but the methods were relatively harmless to other than the
insects under attack; the products non-chemical, sometimes even
introduction of other insects, enemies of the ones under attack.
But with chemicals- increasingly stronger, more potent, more
varied, more dangerous- new chain reactions have set in. And
ironically, the insects are winning the war, setting up immunities,
and re-emerging, their natural enemies destroyed. The peril does
not stop here. Waters, even to the underground water tables, are
contaminated; soils are poisoned. The birds consume the poisons in
their insect and earthworm dies; the cattle, in their fodder; the
fish, in waters and the food those waters provide. And humans? They
drink the milk, eat the vegetables, the fish, the poultry. There is
enough evidence to point to the far-reaching effects; but this is
only the beginning,- in cancer, in liver disorders, in radiation
perils..... This is the horrifying story. It needed to be told -
and by a scientist with a rare gift of communication and an
overwhelming sense of responsibility. Already the articles taken
from the book for publication in The New Yorker are being widely
discussed. Book-of-the-Month distribution in October will spread
the message yet more widely. The book is not entirely negative;
final chapters indicate roads of reversal, before it is too late!
(Kirkus Reviews)
Now recognized 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.
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