Simon Zadek

Alex MacGillivray

New Economics Foundation

Indicators for Sustainable Development

Accounting for Change

Bookwise International

Cameron House

In a post-World War II world of scientific efficiency and technologicalrogress, there was little public concern about the way agriculturalechnologywas affecting people and the natural world. Then, in 1962, Rachelarson's Silent Spring exposed the dangers of DDT and other pesticides.er book became a bestseller and stimulated widespread public debate. Theontroversy prompted five government enquiries, launched the Environmentalrotection Agency, and led to the banning of DDT and several otheresticides. Carson also increased public awareness of environmental issues,eralding an entirely new public awareness of ecological problems in thenited States and around the world. Manifesto: Words That Changed theorld contains extensive quotes from Silent Spring. Commentary by AlexacGillivray examines the book's historical context and worldwideepercussions.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

From the final decades of the eighteenth century to the present day, a relatively few social and political documents have been written and circulated, then have gone on to change the course of human history. The Manifesto Series surveys some of those documents, presents an account of each manifestoï¿1/2s immediate impact, then explains how and why its influence spread to a wider audience. Brief and concisely written, each title in this series makes engrossing reading and provides readers with insights into the dynamics of modern history. Each title in this series is enhanced with approximately 70 color illustrations. Lengthy excerpts from Rachel Carsonï¿1/2s compelling Silent Spring are presented in this book, with extensive commentary and analysis. Carsonï¿1/2s book, published in the 1960s, exposed the hazards inflicted on the earthï¿1/2s environment by powerful industrial concerns. Her book focused especially on the harmful effects of DDT, while on a broader level it also questioned the domination of our culture by modern technology. Silent Spring thus became a springboard for a multitude of environmental movements and reforms which, to the present day, influence all of our lives for the better.

With our "green revolution" gearing up on all fronts, there couldn't be a timelier book than Understanding Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Written at a time when science writing and literature didn't mesh and when people didn't care or think about the environment, pollutants, or preserving natural resources, Silent Spring not only exposed the dangers of pesticides but became one of the most influential manifestos on environmental issues. This book explores Silent Spring's historical context and its influence on and repercussions for the world.

Alex MacGillivray

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