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silent spring
by rachel carson
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
boston: houghton mifflin company, 1962. first edition, 1962
upon publication, silent spring sparked fierce and instantaneous international debate. now considered a catalyst for the grassroots environmental movement in america, carson's work exposed the hazards of pesticides, leading eventually to the creation of the environmental protection agency. includes media clippings describing the controversy surrounding publication.
boston: houghton mifflin company and cambridge: the riverside press. 6 x 8.5". 368 pages. hardcover. bound in cloth-covered boards. book condition: very good. jacket condition: chips to front and back covers. notable loss to upper right back cover. chips to spine. toning to inside flaps. unclipped ($5.00). good+.
upon publication, silent spring sparked fierce and instantaneous international debate. now considered a catalyst for the grassroots environmental movement in america, carson's work exposed the hazards of pesticides, leading eventually to the creation of the environmental protection agency. includes media clippings describing the controversy surrounding publication.
boston: houghton mifflin company and cambridge: the riverside press. 6 x 8.5". 368 pages. hardcover. bound in cloth-covered boards. book condition: very good. jacket condition: chips to front and back covers. notable loss to upper right back cover. chips to spine. toning to inside flaps. unclipped ($5.00). good+.
Synopsis
Silent Spring is a groundbreaking environmental science book by Rachel Carson that brought environmental concerns to the general population. It was published in 1962, a decade after Carson won the National Book Award for her best-selling book The Sea Around Us (1951). When Silent Spring was published, Rachel Carson was already a well-known writer on natural history but had not previously been a social critic. Silent Spring served as a catalyst for the modern environmental movement, shedding light on the detrimental effects of indiscriminate pesticide use on ecosystems and human health. Examining the widespread use of synthetic pesticides, particularly DDT, and their unintended consequences on wildlife and the environment, Carson exposes how pesticides harm beneficial insects, birds, and aquatic life. Silent Spring argues that these chemicals accumulate in the food chain, posing serious risks to human beings. Upon its release, Silent Spring sparked both praise and controversy. The book's publication history reflects this dynamic reception. The first edition was published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1962, with illustrations by Louis and Lois Darling. The initial print run of 50,000 copies sold out quickly, indicating the significant public interest in the subject matter. The book's first edition has a few notable points. The cover of the first edition features a striking illustration of a forest with silhouetted birds created by Paul Bacon. The book consists of 17 chapters and ends with a chapter titled "The Other Road," which suggests alternative methods of pest control that are less harmful to the environment. Despite initial criticism from the chemical industry and agricultural interests, Silent Spring garnered widespread acclaim for its scientific rigor and persuasive arguments. It raised awareness about the need for environmental protection and led to increased scrutiny of pesticide use. The book ultimately influenced policy changes, such as the banning of DDT in the United States and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring remains a seminal work in environmental literature, inspiring generations of activists, scientists, and policymakers to address the ecological challenges facing our planet. Its enduring impact continues to shape environmental discourse and conservation efforts worldwide.
Read More: Identifying first editions of silent spring
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Details
- Bookseller
- leaves
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 837
- Title
- silent spring
- Author
- rachel carson
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- houghton mifflin company
- Place of Publication
- boston
- Date Published
- 1962
Terms of Sale
leaves
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
leaves
Biblio member since 2024
Brooklyn, New York
About leaves
leaves is an independent, second-hand bookstore. we are a community-oriented project committed to sustainability and affordability.
we carry books of all genres, ranging in price from one dollar to many thousands. our website is dedicated to our rare, collectible, and out of print selection. for discount books and reading copies, visit our store in greenpoint, brooklyn.
we carry books of all genres, ranging in price from one dollar to many thousands. our website is dedicated to our rare, collectible, and out of print selection. for discount books and reading copies, visit our store in greenpoint, brooklyn.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
- Flap(s)
- The portion of a book cover or cover jacket that folds into the book from front to back. The flap can contain biographical...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
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