A devastating expose of the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was an unlikely bestseller when published in the fall of 1962. Immersing herself in a dauntingly wide-ranging body of technical and scientific evidence, Carson turned a series of discrete findings into a work of enduring literature—one that has helped to change the world. Now, more than a half-century later, there’s never been better time to revisit Carson’s landmark book and its urgent relevance for today.
Which is what we will do on this episode of Locus Focus as we talk with acclaimed environmental writer Sandra Steingraber, who has edited a new edition of Silent Spring that combines the landmark book with rare archival material - letters, articles and essays written before and after Silent Spring's publication.
Sandra Steingraber is an environmental writer and research biologists, who has lead the fight against fracking in New York State. Her books include Living Downstream: An Ecologist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood and Raising Elijah: Protecting Our Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis.
- KBOO