Ellen S. Levine

This is one of the best biographies I've ever read. Levine's style of writing reads like fiction; it is not weighed down with facts and dense retellings that many biographies are. Rachel's determination and dry sense of humor shines through. Laurie Lawlor's "Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World," exposed me to some basic facts about Carson's life, but Levine's book truly educated me. For example, I had no idea how extensive Carson's financial struggles were, and how debilitating show more her family circumstances were, at times. I also did not realize that writing was truly as important to her life as science, and that she was quite an accomplished poet. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks science and literature are two very separate things. This text should appear in all middle and high school libraries. show less

Ellen Levine has commendably assembled a comprehensive biography of one of the most important people of the modern enviromentalism movement. Her exhaustively cited look into the life's work of Rachel Carson honors the intellectual rigor of the kind of scientist Miss Carson tried to emulate. This book begins in the small town of Springdale, PA, and inevitable winds a path all the way to the White House and homes across America.

Rachel Carson, with her book "Silent Spring", lights the spark show more that creates, among other things, The Clean Air Act, The Clean Water Act, and the EPA. Silent Spring was a blistering and bullet-proof expose of the overuse and abuse of pesticides, the chemical industry, and of the complacent scientist on the take.

"UpClose..." is completely footnoted, with every single quote attributed in the closing pages of the book. The author does an incredible job of citing Miss Carson's work when it is necessary to demonstrate the passion she brought to her work. The book is expertly focused on Rachel Carson, her work, her life, and the changes she brought to the country. This book reads very quickly and that is largely attributable to the lack of fluff. There are just enough personal details to make this book endearing and plenty of meat to its research.

The bibliography in this book is excellent and the footnoted quotes can NOT be given enough praise. This book is excellent for any discussions on sexism, environmentalism, science writing, and an excellent example for counselors to show how two seemingly separate loves (Carson's love of English and Science) can be combined with powerful results.

This book is recommended for ages 11&up. show less

This book really shines when the subject's own writing is quoted, revealing a passionate observer and interpreter of the natural world. That Rachel Carson was able to write a number of best-selling books, one of which inspired the modern environmentalist movement, in spite of sexism, overwhelming family obligations and health problems only makes me admire her more. "I am not afraid of being thouht a sentamentalist when I stand here tonight and tell you that I believe natural beauty has a show more necessary place in the spiritual development of any individual or any society." I couldn't agree more. I would like to have gone hiking or beach-combing with Carson. show less

Rachel Carson by Ellen S. Levine shows how one of the greatest environmentlists of the twentieth century came to be through simple yet effective prose. The book's contents are presented in streamlined paragraph narrative. Before delving into content, the quotations, beautifully and aptly choosen, set the tone for the book. One of the most moving by Ella Wheeler Wilcox states "To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men." While the beginning of Carson's career is show more relatively controversy free, later in life she becomes more of an activist. Much like Marian Anderson, the role of outspoken truth-teller emerges later in life. The two women, Carson and Anderson, we driven deeply by the love of their respective art. They both were compelled to be the best in their field and did not shy away from hard work. Both women encountered social resistance: Anderson was hindered by segregation, Carson by sexism. However, both women pursued their dreams without attempting to overthrown or drasticaly alter the social fabric. Amazingly though, after each woman was older and established, she did eventually challenge the status quo and make her mark on history. Levine paints such a lovely, peaceful picture of Carson. Carson moved gracefully through her career and enjoyed much acclaim. However, her final book, Silent Spring, threw her world into tumult. Previously lauded for her writing, with the publishing of Silent Spring the spotlight shone brightly upon her, destroying her privacy. She was disavowed and attacked by politicians, notable publications, chemical companies and the public.
In both the beginning of the book, as well as the end, Levine address the question how will history judge us? Through the example of Time magazine, Levine demonstrates that the passing of time alters perspective. History is fluid and can be rewritten; an excellent lesson for any history class. It also illuminates the struggle of women that took place not all that long ago- an issue very much alive today. This book would also be an excellent in a science class, not only because it is an inspirational tale about a scientists who persevered through much hardship, but because it reveals that sometimes, science is ahead of the time and the public and may not be accepted. A civics class might also benefit from the tale of a social activist fighting to inform the public and improve her country; one person bravely facing special interests.
Finally, in regards to pragmatics, the book is well documented. There are notes, one that even address the issues of what some view as a lesbian relatoinship. There is also a bibliography and photo credits. The additional sites listed include more information about Carson, the EPA and pesticides. show less