Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

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.