In 1962, Rachel Carson's “Silent Spring” was published.  This book created a lot of anger and controversy.  The book was written to warn people about all of the problems that could arise from the use of pesticide on crops and killing insects. All through this book are stories and information which documented the harmful effects that chemical pesticides have had on our environment. Along with these stories were facts, and she explained, from her point of view, how many times the pesticides did more harm than good in an effort to get rid of the insects they were designed to destroy. Miss Carson also pointed out the long-term effects that these chemicals may have on the environment, as well as on humans. The debates which were begun by “Silent Spring” were the beginning of some of the environmental legislation and the government agencies we have today in order to regulate the use of these chemicals.

Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964) wrote Silent Spring as a warning to the public to the detrimental effects of indiscriminately using DDT.  She had been interested in the insecticide in the 1940's and learned how damaging it could be to wildlife.  She decided to write the book after a friend contacted her about the dead birds found in her yard after the state had sprayed DDT. The book, published in 1962, had an immediate broader appeal regarding environmental management, and is considered the beginning of public awareness of environmental concerns.  Read more at the link: