Silent Spring
by Carson, Rachel
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine /Very Good
- Seller
-
Ballston Lake, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Original green cloth. First Edition. The book that launched the modern environmentalist movement and one of the most important nonfiction works of its century. Signed in ink in two places by previous owner, Near Fine in Very Good price-clipped Dust Jacket with minor chipping and edge wear. . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1962.
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
- Pride and Prejudice-Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 022288
- Title
- Silent Spring
- Author
- Carson, Rachel
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Date Published
- 1962
- Keywords
- Environment
Terms of Sale
Pride and Prejudice-Books
Net to all. Payment should accompany order. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and USD money orders, checks and e-checks. We accommodate library terms. Postage is extra. Oversize and insurance extra. New York State residents should add appropriate sales tax. Books are packed with care and shipped usually within one business day. All books are returnable for any reason within 10 days if returned in the same condition as sent and if notification of return is given.
About the Seller
Pride and Prejudice-Books
Biblio member since 2006
Ballston Lake, New York
About Pride and Prejudice-Books
In business since 1985, Pride and Prejudice-Books is owned by Merrill Whitburn, Ph.D., and Diane Whitburn, MLS. Our stock in used and rare books includes substantial holdings in rhetoric, science, technology, philosophy, religion, literature and literary studies, history, and other scholarly and general categories.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- 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...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Chipping
- A defect in which small pieces are missing from the edges; fraying or small pieces of paper missing the edge of a paperback, or...
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