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tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
slow-paced
I am too cynical for this book.
As I started, I kept skimming through sections and skipping ahead, wondering when the “scary parts” would start. I was almost halfway through before I realized: these are the scary parts.
When Silent Spring was published in 1962, complete environmental collapse probably sounded like dystopian fiction to most people. Carson’s page after page of horrific examples and statistics sounded an alarm sufficient to move laypeople and leaders alike to demand, and when possible make, change.
Now here I am in 2024. DDT use has been significantly curtailed worldwide, but environmental disasters Carson couldn’t’ve dreamed of threaten us every day. At most, this book made me feel a slight, melancholic hopelessness: yeah, we’re all doomed. Now what?
As I started, I kept skimming through sections and skipping ahead, wondering when the “scary parts” would start. I was almost halfway through before I realized: these are the scary parts.
When Silent Spring was published in 1962, complete environmental collapse probably sounded like dystopian fiction to most people. Carson’s page after page of horrific examples and statistics sounded an alarm sufficient to move laypeople and leaders alike to demand, and when possible make, change.
Now here I am in 2024. DDT use has been significantly curtailed worldwide, but environmental disasters Carson couldn’t’ve dreamed of threaten us every day. At most, this book made me feel a slight, melancholic hopelessness: yeah, we’re all doomed. Now what?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, and Terminal illness
Graphic: Environmental degradationalbearcamus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Carson’s seminal work is probably just as relevant today as in 1962. It is well researched, well written and without a load of jargon. It’s accessible.
Science has changed little, but the chemicals have just gotten more advanced. But the problems haven’t really changed.
This is probably one of the most important but least discussed books from one of the most important but least heard of scientists. Definitely worth a read.
Science has changed little, but the chemicals have just gotten more advanced. But the problems haven’t really changed.
This is probably one of the most important but least discussed books from one of the most important but least heard of scientists. Definitely worth a read.
battramsysni's review against another edition
Feels like forever since I started reading this. I find it very hard to continue reading. I haven’t touched it in several years.