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Silent Spring
by Carson, Rachel
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Seller
-
South Pasadena, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1962. Hardcover. Near Fine. Hardcover in blue cloth boards with title stamped in gilt on front and spine. No dust jacket. Early printing of this iconic and influential book that was the first to sound the alarm on environmental devastation. Crisp and clean condition, with tight binding and sharp corners. Patterned endpapers. 8vo. 368 pp. including index.
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
- Warwick Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 95118
- Title
- Silent Spring
- Author
- Carson, Rachel
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Date Published
- 1962
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Bookseller catalogs
- Science;
Terms of Sale
Warwick Books
Returnable if not as described, with prior notice, within 30 days. We take care packaging the books you order and will gift wrap on request.
About the Seller
Warwick Books
Biblio member since 2004
South Pasadena, California
About Warwick Books
We are an Internet-only book business. We carry hard-to-find books in many categories including art, photography, military history, cookbooks, children's books, fiction, needlework, Americana, popular culture, and signed first editions. Warwick Books is a member of IOBA, the Independent Online Booksellers Association.
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...
- 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....
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Crisp
- A term often used to indicate a book's new-like condition. Indicates that the hinges are not loosened. A book described as crisp...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
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