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Rachel Carson (1907–1964)

Author of Silent Spring

29+ Works 11,385 Members 152 Reviews 13 Favorited
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About the Author

Rachel Carson was for many years a marine biologist and then editor-in-chief of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's publications. She was also the author of Silent Spring, Under the Sea-Wind, and At the Edge of the Sea. She died in 1964. Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist, oceanographer, show more and National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence. Her books include Blue Hope: Exploring and Caring for Earth's Magnificent Ocean and Ocean An Illustrated Atlas. show less
Image credit: from Wikipedia

Series

Works by Rachel Carson

Silent Spring (1962) 6,470 copies
The Sea Around Us (1951) 1,953 copies
The Edge of the Sea (1955) 882 copies
Under the Sea-Wind (1941) 684 copies
The Sense of Wonder (1965) 621 copies
The Rocky Coast (1971) 44 copies
Man's War Against Nature (2021) 21 copies
De zee (2022) 6 copies

Associated Works

The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing (2008) — Contributor — 803 copies
The Best American Essays of the Century (2000) — Contributor — 774 copies
American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau (2008) — Contributor — 414 copies
The Portable Sixties Reader (2002) — Contributor — 324 copies
Winter: A Spiritual Biography of the Season (1986) — Contributor — 103 copies
Reading for Pleasure (1957) — Contributor — 51 copies
The Book of the Sea (1954) — Contributor — 36 copies
Beach : Stories by the Sand and Sea (2000) — Contributor — 32 copies
The Penguin Book of Twentieth-Century Protest (1998) — Contributor — 31 copies
Animal Machines: The New Factory Farming Industry (1964) — Foreword, some editions — 29 copies
The Penguin Book of the Ocean (2010) — Contributor — 20 copies
Penguin Green Ideas Collection (2021) — Contributor — 10 copies

Tagged

1960s (49) 20th century (63) anthology (213) biography (68) biology (258) classic (56) classics (73) conservation (135) DDT (60) ecology (650) environment (803) environmental (87) environmentalism (253) essays (303) fiction (53) history (114) Library of America (57) literature (58) marine biology (89) natural history (247) nature (826) nature writing (108) non-fiction (1,075) ocean (103) oceanography (148) oceans (65) own (48) pesticides (153) poetry (68) politics (55) pollution (117) Rachel Carson (70) read (59) science (935) Science & Nature (51) sea (97) sustainability (51) to-read (673) unread (74) women (49)

Common Knowledge

Legal name
Carson, Rachel Louise
Birthdate
1907-05-27
Date of death
1964-04-14
Burial location
Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville, Maryland, USA
Gender
female
Nationality
USA
Birthplace
Springdale, Pennsylvania, USA
Place of death
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Cause of death
cancer (breast)
heart attack
Places of residence
Springdale, Pennsylvania, USA
Southport Island, Maine, USA
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Education
Chatham University (BS|1929)
Johns Hopkins University (MS|1932)
Occupations
marine biologist
conservationist
nature writer
Organizations
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Bureau of Fisheries
Awards and honors
Presidential Medal of Freedom (1980)
The Schweitzer Medal (1962)
American Academy of Arts and Letters (1953)
Constance Lindsay Skinner Award (1963)
Great Americans series postage stamp issued (1981)
Birthplace added to National Register of Historic Places (Rachel Carson Homestead) (show all 24)
Colesville, Maryland home designated National Historic Landmark (1991)
Rachel Carson Trail (Alleghany County ∙ PA)
Rachel Carson Bridge (Pittsburgh ∙ PA ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson State Office Building (Harrisburg ∙ PA ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Elementary School (Gaithersburg ∙ Montgomery County ∙ Maryland ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Middle School (Herndon ∙ VA ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Elementary (Sammamish ∙ WA ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Elementary School (San Jose ∙ CA ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Environmental Middle School (Beaverton ∙ OR ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies (Brooklyn ∙ NY ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Montgomery County ∙ MD ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson room at Ariel Rios Building
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (Maine ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve (Carteret County ∙ NC ∙ USA)
Rachel Carson Prize named for her (Stavanger ∙ Norway)
Rachel Carson Prize named for her (Society for Social Studies of Science)
Rachel Carson Greenway (Montgomery County ∙ MD ∙ USA)
National Women's Hall of Fame (1973)
Agent
Marie Rodell
Short biography
Rachel Carson was a marine biologist and vocal conservationist. Her book, Silent Spring, is often credited with being the spark for the modern environmental movements. Carson's work led directly to changes in pesticide and other environmental policies in the United States and helped lead to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Members

Discussions

Undersea - Nawakum press in Fine Press Forum (April 2023)

Reviews

it was interesting to read this both in an historical context, and to realize how much still needs to be done. but seeing where we were when this was written, and how brutal the effects were on the insects, birds, fish, etc, and how long it took them to do anything was honestly astounding (while also not being surprising at all). i can see why this was so necessary and world shifting/changing.
 
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overlycriticalelisa | 96 other reviews | Dec 1, 2023 |
Categories:
Classic by a Woman Author (BacktotheClassics2020)
Three Books by the Same Author (#mmdreading)

In this 2nd book of her "sea trilogy", Carson, with her lyrical prose, reveals the power, beauty, and complexity of the ocean and it's history. She does get a bit too technical at times. I started skimming at the parts where she droned on about pressure per cubic foot, etc. But really most of the book is very accessible to the the average reader, and even though it contains some outdated/inaccurate information, this book is still worth reading. Carson has an amazing ability to see the big ecological picture, how everything connects in the ocean, and how dependent we are on it. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the tides and the creation of islands.… (more)
 
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DominiqueMarie | 16 other reviews | Oct 22, 2023 |
Categories:
20th Century Classic (BacktotheClassics2020)
Three Books by the Same Author (#mmdreading)

Wow! Reading this was like watching Planet Earth, Blue Planet, or pretty much anything narrated by David Attenborough. Carson has a way with words. That's for sure. I appreciate her lyrical style. This book covers the Atlantic Coast of North America, mainly by following the lives of a sanderling, a mackerel, and an eel. I admit that as much as I love animals and the ocean, I thought I was going to be bored during the mackerel section. I was so wrong. It turned out to be one of my favorite sections of the book! This is a book I know I'm going to re-visit… (more)
 
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DominiqueMarie | 10 other reviews | Oct 22, 2023 |
The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson is a seminal work that captivates the reader with its poetic yet scientific exploration of the ocean. The revised edition, published in 1961, maintains the original's essence while incorporating updated scientific knowledge available at the time.

The Sea Around Us received widespread acclaim when it was first published in 1951. It won several awards, including the National Book Award and the John Burroughs Medal, and was a bestseller for a considerable period. Its influence stretched beyond academia to reach the general public, raising awareness about marine ecology and the environment. Critics and readers alike praised Carson's ability to blend scientific detail with poetic narrative, making complex topics accessible.

Key Takeaways

The book is organized into three main sections—The Mother Sea, The Restless Sea, and Man and the Sea About Him—each presenting a unique facet of the ocean's complex relationship with life on Earth.

Part 1 - The Mother Sea: This section delves into the origins of the Earth's oceans and how life began in the primordial seas. Carson provides an overview of geological processes like plate tectonics, oceanic currents, and the role these played in the formation and sustenance of life. It paints a picture of the ocean as the 'womb' of all life.
  • Key Takeaways:

    • The ocean is the origin of life on Earth.

    • Geological processes are integral to the ocean's character.

    • The concept of the ocean as a "Mother" introduces the reader to ecological interconnectedness.


Part 2 - The Restless Sea: This part focuses on the dynamic aspects of the ocean, like tides, currents, and waves. Carson talks about the balance and imbalance found in these movements and what they mean for marine life and climatic conditions. She emphasizes the ocean's ever-changing, restless nature.
  • Key Takeaways:

    • The ocean is a dynamic, ever-changing environment.

    • Natural phenomena like tides and currents have far-reaching impacts, from climate to marine ecosystems.

    • Understanding these movements is essential for understanding the ocean as a whole.


Part 3 - Man and the Sea About Him: This section delves into the relationship between humans and the ocean. It discusses the exploration of the ocean, its role in human history, and the impact of human activities like fishing and pollution. Carson subtly criticizes the human tendency to exploit the ocean without understanding or respecting its complexities.
  • Key Takeaways:

    • Humans have a long history of interaction with the sea, often exploiting it.

    • The impact of human activity on the ocean is considerable and often negative.

    • A call for greater respect for and understanding of the marine environment as essential for our own survival.


Message and Importance

As for its relevance today, the book's core message has indeed stood the test of time. While some of the scientific data may have evolved, the essence of its environmental message remains critically important. Our understanding of ecology and environmental science has grown, but the foundational principles Carson articulated continue to guide the field. Her focus on the interconnectedness of all life and the need for responsible stewardship of the Earth's resources is more pertinent than ever, given ongoing environmental crises like climate change and ocean acidification.

Carson's message from this work could be encapsulated as the idea that the ocean is not just a vast, mysterious expanse but an integral part of Earth's life system. Understanding its complexities is not merely an academic exercise but a critical factor in the survival and well-being of all species, including humans. This message is important because it elevates the conversation about environmental sustainability and calls for a more responsible, ethical interaction with the natural world.

About the Author

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was an American marine biologist, conservationist, and author. She was a trailblazing figure, especially for a woman in the male-dominated fields of science and environmental activism during the mid-20th century. She initially gained fame as an editor and writer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and she held a master's degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins University.

At the time of writing The Sea Around Us, the post-war era was a period of rapid industrialization and scientific discovery, but there was also a growing disconnect between these advancements and their environmental repercussions. Carson served as a bridge between the scientific community and the public, making complex scientific concepts accessible to everyday people. Her writing career flourished in the 1950s, with The Sea Around Us becoming one of her seminal works.

Beyond this book, Carson is perhaps best known for Silent Spring, published in 1962. This book is credited with sparking the modern environmental movement and leading to a nationwide ban on DDT, a harmful pesticide. Silent Spring had a profound impact on environmental policies, eventually leading to the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In essence, Carson was a pioneer who used her skills as a writer and her background in science to communicate urgent environmental issues, challenging the status quo and leaving a lasting impact on both environmental science and public policy.

Overall

The Sea Around Us is not merely a book about the ocean; it's a profound study of our relationship with the natural world. Its message, artfully crafted by a pioneering scientist and writer, has stood the test of time and continues to resonate in today's environmental discourse.

Interpretation by Alex, a Voyager 2.0 persona on GPT-4, September 2, 2023.

Formatted for LibraryThing by the LibraryThing Advanced Formatter, GPT-4, November 14, 2023.
… (more)
 
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howermj | 16 other reviews | Sep 10, 2023 |

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Statistics

Works
29
Also by
22
Members
11,385
Popularity
#2,063
Rating
4.0
Reviews
152
ISBNs
230
Languages
15
Favorited
13

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