Book
Licensed
Unlicensed
Requires Authentication
Rachel Carson and Her Sisters
Extraordinary Women Who Have Shaped America's Environment
-
Robert K Musil
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2015
About this book
In Rachel Carson and Her Sisters, Robert K. Musil redefines the achievements and legacy of environmental pioneer and scientist Rachel Carson, linking her work to a wide network of American women activists and writers and introducing her to a new, contemporary audience.Rachel Carson was the first American to combine two longstanding, but separate strands of American environmentalism—the love of nature and a concern for human health. Widely known for her 1962 best-seller, Silent Spring, Carson is today often perceived as a solitary “great woman,” whose work single-handedly launched a modern environmental movement. But as Musil demonstrates, Carson’s life’s work drew upon and was supported by already existing movements, many led by women, in conservation and public health.
On the fiftieth anniversary of her death, this book helps underscore Carson’s enduring environmental legacy and brings to life the achievements of women writers and advocates, such as Ellen Swallow Richards, Dr. Alice Hamilton, Terry Tempest Williams, Sandra Steingraber, Devra Davis, and Theo Colborn, all of whom overcame obstacles to build and lead the modern American environmental movement.
On the fiftieth anniversary of her death, this book helps underscore Carson’s enduring environmental legacy and brings to life the achievements of women writers and advocates, such as Ellen Swallow Richards, Dr. Alice Hamilton, Terry Tempest Williams, Sandra Steingraber, Devra Davis, and Theo Colborn, all of whom overcame obstacles to build and lead the modern American environmental movement.
Author / Editor information
ROBERT K. MUSIL is President and CEO of The Rachel Carson Council, Inc., senior fellow at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University, and author of Hope for a Heated Planet. He is the former CEO of the Nobel Peace Prize–winning Physicians for Social Responsibility and an award-winning journalist.
Reviews
"In celebrating Rachel Carson's work, Musil takes on the important task of contextualizing this environmental luminary within a tradition of women's research, activism, and authorship."
— Women's Review of Books"Musil uses the life and writings of Rachel Carson as an exemplar of women's participation in the American environmental movement. He places Carson's achievements in contexts by illuminating...the lives of trailblazing female scientists who inspired her and for whom she, in turn, paved the way. Extremely well-researched."
— Foreword Reviews"In Rachel Carson and Her Sisters,Musil fills the gap by placing Carson's achievements in a wider context, weaving connections from the past through the present. Readers will find new insight into Carson and contemporary figures she influenced...who have historically received less attention. Musil's respect and enthusiasm for these women is evident throughout the book, making it a deeply engaging and enjoyable read. A valuable addition to scholarship on Rachel Carson, female environmentalists, and the American environmental movement in general.Highly recommended. All academic and general readers."
— Choice"Musil sets Carson's life and contributions within the context of accomplished women who share Carson's dual strengths as scientists and as writers … This is a book to whet the appetite for more."
— Friends Journal“A great read for anybody who is interested in learning about Rachel Carson’s role in a delicate web of connections that makes up the environmental movement. Also, if anybody is interested in the human aspect, the personal lives, and the trials of each of these women, this book certainly will deliver. […] Musil has stitched together a wonderful collection of true stories about the amazing women who have changed, and are continuing to change, the way we see the world.”
— The Prairie Naturalist"With deep grounding in women's history, environmentalism, and public health—and, just as importantly, with great reverence—Musil introduces us to a pantheon of remarkable women, true heroines every one. This book offers a new perspective, countless wonderful stories, and inspiration. A great read!"
— Howard Frumkin, Dean, University of Washington School of Public Health"Bob Musil brilliantly documents the rich trajectory of women’s intellectual and political influence, not just on environmentalism but on public policy and activism. Musil offers fascinating details of Rachel Carson’s struggles to be taken seriously as a scientist and unearths the stories of the women—unsung heroes all—who influenced her. A must read for anyone interested in American history, science and environmental politics."
— Heather White, Executive Director, the Environmental Working Group“Musil concludes that ‘those who pollute and plunder have huge resources at their command. They challenge serious science, real reform, and . . . block every reasonable effort to build a better, healthier environment for our children and generations yet to come.’ Nevertheless, ‘their sway is slowly, steadily, being reduced over time by the determination of ordinary citizens. . . . We can draw inspiration and leadership from the long line of American women who somehow defied the cinched circumstances and enervated expectations for their gender to become extraordinary leaders of many kinds. They have brought us thus far,’ and ‘we can start now down the path that they have set before us.’ People who want to learn more about this path can turn to Rachel Carson and Her Sisters for a richly detailed, documented, and eloquent history—a ground-breaking account of undaunted American women, determined to prevent environmental catastrophe.”
— Lawrence Wittner, Huffington Post"This is a long overdue book, giving great credit to the long line of women who have done so much to shape our culture's view of the world around us and of our prospects in it. We desperately need that culture to heed their words!"
— Bill McKibben, author Oil and Honey: The Education of an Unlikely Activist"Rachel Carson is only the best-known example amidst an inspiring cast of pioneering and modern women environmental leaders that Musil brings to life. Readable, reliable, and rousing—a book for anyone who cares about America’s past and future."
— Gene Karpinski, President and CEO of the League of Conservation VotersTopics
-
Download PDFPublicly Available
Frontmatter
i -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Contents
ix -
Download PDFPublicly Available
List of Figures
xi -
Download PDFPublicly Available
Preface and Acknowledgments
xiii -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Introduction
1 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
1. Have You Seen the Robins? Rachel Carson’s Mother and the Tradition of Women Naturalists
12 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
2. Don’t Harm the People: Ellen Swallow Richards, Dr. Alice Hamilton, and Their Heirs Take On Polluting Industries
53 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
3. Carson and Her Sisters: Rachel Carson Did Not Act Alone
89 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
4. Rachel Carson, Terry Tempest Williams, and Ecological Empathy
123 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
5. The Environment around Us and inside Us: Ellen Swallow Richards, Silent Spring, and Sandra Steingraber
162 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
6. Rachel Carson, Devra Davis, Pollution, and Public Policy
194 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
7. Rachel Carson and Theo Colborn: Endocrine Disruption and Ethics
225 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Epilogue
252 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Notes
257 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
Index
279 -
Download PDFRequires Authentication UnlicensedLicensed
About the Author
310
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
September 2, 2019
eBook ISBN:
9780813562438
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9780813562438
Audience(s) for this book
For a non-specialist adult audience
