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Silent Spring
by Carson, Rachel
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- near fine: yellow top stain as normal, gift inscription to initial recipient on top of half title page, author signature /very good: small closed tear at base of spine, some chipping and rubbing and slightly faded
- Seller
-
Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1962. first. hardcover. near fine: yellow top stain as normal, gift inscription to initial recipient on top of half title page, author signature "With best wishes, Rachel Carson" text otherwise clean, binding tight./very good: small closed tear at base of spine, some chipping and rubbing and slightly faded. Lois and Louis Darling. Stated first edition first printing of Rachel Carson's extended essay on the environmental impact of indiscriminate pesticide use, a hugely influential book credited with leading to a ban on the pesticide DDT for agricultural use in the US and the eventual formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Named one of the 25 most influential science books of all time in 2006.
Signed by the author on the half title. page, scarce in this condition
Price includes extra handling fee for shipping. #00026.
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
- Matthew's Books LLC
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 90
- Title
- Silent Spring
- Author
- Carson, Rachel
- Illustrator
- Lois and Louis Darling
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - near fine: yellow top stain as normal, gift inscription to initial recipient on top of half title page, author signature
- Jacket Condition
- very good: small closed tear at base of spine, some chipping and rubbing and slightly faded
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- first
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Company
- Date Published
- 1962
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Keywords
- environment, pesticide, science, first edition, signed
Terms of Sale
Matthew's Books LLC
All books are described as accurately as possible, with almost all including pictures to assess condition.
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
Matthew's Books LLC
Biblio member since 2023
Chattanooga, Tennessee
About Matthew's Books LLC
small online used bookstore based in Chattanooga, TN. Little bit of everything, but lots of modern first editions.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- 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...
- 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....
- Half Title
- The blank front page which appears just prior to the title page, and typically contains only the title of the book, although, at...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- 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...
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