"First published in 1962, this book alerted a large audience to the environmental and human dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides. The outcry that followed its publication forced the banning of DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. 'Silent Spring became a runaway bestseller, with international reverberations ... [It is] well crafted, fearless and succinct ... Even if she had not inspired a generation of activists, Carson would prevail as one of the greatest nature writers in American letters' (Peter Matthiessen, for Time's '100 Most Influential People of the Century'). This fortieth anniversary edition celebrates the author's watershed book with new essays by the author and scientist Edward O. Wilson and the acclaimed biographer Linda Lear, who tells the story of Carson's courageous defense of her truths in the face of ruthless assault from the chemical industry in 1963, the year following the publication of Silent Spring and before her untimely death in 1964"--Publisher's description.