Banned

Rachel Carson's seminal book Silent Spring, published in 1962, stands as one of the most important books of the twentieth century. Powerful and eloquent, the book exposed the dangers of indiscriminate chemical pesticide use. It also inspired important and long-lasting changes in environmental science and government policy. In this thought-provoking volume, Frederick Rowe Davis sets Carson's scientific work in the context of the twentieth century, reconsiders her achievement, and analyzes the legacy of her work in the light of toxic chemical use and regulation today. Davis examines the history of pesticide development alongside the evolution of the science of toxicology. He also tracks legislation governing exposure to chemicals from the early 1900s to the end of the century. Against this historical backdrop, the author affirms the brilliance of Carson's careful scientific interpretations and conclusions. And yet, while Silent Spring successfully terminated DDT use, other warnings have been ignored. Carson and others recognized the extraordinary toxicity of organophosphate insecticides, yet today they dominate pesticide markets in the U.S. and worldwide. In a tragic irony, one poison has been replaced with even more dangerous ones. This compelling book urges new thinking about the ways we can develop, use and regulate pesticides while taking into account their ecological and human toll.