Since
its publication in 1962, Rachel Carson’s book Silent
Spring
has often been celebrated as the catalyst that sparked an American
environmental movement. Yet environmental consciousness and
environmental protest in some regions of the United States date back
to the nineteenth century, with the advent of industrial
manufacturing and the consequent growth of cities. As these changes
transformed people's lives, ordinary Americans came to recognize the
connections between economic exploitation, social inequality, and
environmental problems. As the modern age dawned, they turned to
labor unions, sportsmen’s clubs, racial and ethnic organizations,
and community groups to respond to such threats accordingly. The
Myth of Silent Spring
tells this story. By challenging the canonical “songbirds and
suburbs” interpretation associated with Carson and her work, the
book gives readers a more accurate sense of the past and better
prepares them for thinking and acting in the present.