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The Gentle Subversive: Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, and the Rise of the Environmental Movement (New Narratives in American History) Paperback – July 31, 2007

by Mark Hamilton Lytle (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 41 ratings
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Rachel Carson's Silent Spring antagonized some of the most powerful interests in the nation--including the farm block and the agricultural chemical industry--and helped launch the modern environmental movement. In The Gentle Subversive, Mark Hamilton Lytle offers a compact biography of Carson, illuminating the road that led to this vastly influential book.
Lytle explores the evolution of Carson's ideas about nature, her love for the sea, her career as a biologist, and above all her emergence as a writer of extraordinary moral and ecological vision. We follow Carson from her childhood on a farm outside Pittsburgh, where she first developed her love of nature (and where, at age eleven, she published her first piece in a children's magazine), to her graduate work at Johns Hopkins and her career with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Lytle describes the genesis of her first book, Under the Sea-Wind, the incredible success of The Sea Around Us (a New York Times bestseller for over a year), and her determination to risk her fame in order to write her "poison book": Silent Spring. The author contends that despite Carson's demure, lady-like demeanor, she was subversive in her thinking and aggressive in her campaign against pesticides. Carson became the spokeswoman for a network of conservationists, scientists, women, and other concerned citizens who had come to fear the mounting dangers of the human assault on nature. What makes this story particularly compelling is that Carson took up this cause at the very moment when she herself faced a losing battle with cancer.
Succinct and engaging, The Gentle Subversive is a story of success, celebrity, controversy, and vindication. It will inspire anyone interested in protecting the natural world or in women's struggle to find a voice in society.
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  1. Part of series
    New Narratives in American History
  2. Print length
    277 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    July 31, 2007
  6. Dimensions
    7.48 x 4.72 x 0.6 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0195172477
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0195172478
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lytle's narrative biography in The Gentle Subversive provides a refreshingly compact, thoughtful, yet readable portrait of Rachel Carson, as well as a most timely and intelligent discussion of her significance into the twenty-first century. Readers planning to read only one book about Rachel Carson would do well to read this one. Readers planning to read several books on her would do well to start here."--Priscilla Coit Murphy, Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"Lytle's biography is a beneficial introduction to Carson's life, providing insight on her ecological philosophy, her writing, and her role as an alternative voice in the realm of science and technology."--Andy Karvonen, Technology and Culture

"The Gentle Subversive is well worth pursuing."--American Scientist

"The author wonderfully weaves literary interpretation, intimate biographical detail, and sociopolitical observations into a new narrative on the life and influence of Rachel Carson."--Jim Bingen, Michigan State University

"The Gentle Subversive is an easy book to read, providing a logical and interesting account of the development of Rachel Carson as a writer and as the eventual spokeswoman/symbol for the environmental movement of the 1960s and beyond."--Kathryn Flynn, Auburn University

Book Description

A compact biography of Rachel Carson--a story of success, celebrity, controversy, and vindication.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (July 31, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 277 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195172477
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195172478
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.48 x 4.72 x 0.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 41 ratings

About the author

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Mark H. Lytle

Mark H. Lytle

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Bard College where I taught history and environmental studies since 1975. encourages its faculty to have a high scholarly profile, while bringing their ideas into the classroom. That synergy helped me conceive both "America's Uncivil Wars" and "The Gentle Subversive." Indeed, I first wrote about Carson in my 60s book, though I got to know her writing in my course on American Environmental History. Several years ago, I was a "talking head" on the A&E Rachel Carson special aired on PBS. Of my other publications certainly "After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection," co-authored with my close friend Jim Davidson is my personal favorite. It has allowed me to think and write across a broad span of American history. In the sixth edition, I added a chapter on the Greensboro, North Carolina sit-ins, exploring the question of whether or not they were spontaneous as numerous historians once assumed.

"The All-Consuming Nation:Pursuing the American Dream Since World War II" (Oxford), brings together themes I've pursued in both my scholarship and teaching. I make the argument that of all the "isms" contending for hearts and minds around the globe--fascism, communism, socialism, capitalism and more--consumerism has been the most widely embraced. The failure to meet consumer desires contributed more to the collapse of the Soviet Union than did Ronald Reagan's arms buildup. President Obama faced the unenviable task of inspiring a consumer lead economic recovery that did not worsen the threat of global warming. For Donald Trump that was no dilemma since he treated the two greatest threats to our consumer democracy--climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic--as hoaxes. The All-Consuming Nation argues that the mass consumption economy of the Post-WW II era is unsustainable.

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4 out of 5 stars
41 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an amazing read, with one noting it's a must-read for all students. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its detailed notes. Additionally, the book effectively portrays Rachel Carson's life journey and contributions, and customers appreciate its focus on environmental issues.

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10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an amazing and well-titled read, with several noting it's a must-read for all students.

"This was an amazing book that gave me a greater respect and new love for this strong woman...." Read more

"...and informative about a maverick of Environmental issues ~ delightful read as well ~ Provides major insight into the life of Rachel Carson and how..." Read more

"...But this was an amazing read. It is a book that helps you feel empowered to try and do our best to help the environment...." Read more

"...Her research is thorough and makes the reader mindful of how much there is still to be done to make our world healthier and environmentally safe." Read more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of the book, with one review highlighting its well-researched summary of Rachel Carson's early life, while another describes it as an amazing true story of a woman.

"...This story was full of life... not a bit dry in spite of covering such a complex person and topic. I highly recommend it!" Read more

"...of her driving obsession to write in great detail about the beautifully intricate life of the earth around us...." Read more

"An amazing true story of a women who fought with calm and intelligence against powerful oil companies and the government in the 50's...." Read more

"...fine justice to the legacy of Rachel Carson in this well researched summary of her early life, upbringing, education, professional experiences,..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it wonderfully crafted, with one customer noting it is packed with an abundance of notes.

"Wonderfully written and informative about a maverick of Environmental issues ~ delightful read as well ~ Provides major insight into the life of..." Read more

"Rachel Carson is my ideal in a woman: dedicated to education and writing, giving herself for the sake of trying to save us from ourselves with the..." Read more

"...upbringing, education, professional experiences, evolution of her writing and publishing culminating with the struggles to write and publish her..." Read more

"Well written, interesting,..." Read more

3 customers mention "Characterization"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of Rachel Carson, with one customer highlighting her compassion.

"...It also shows the heart and the caring and compassion of Rachel Carson. A woman who died too soon." Read more

"This is an excellent book about Rachel Carson and her life journey and contributions." Read more

"I am impressed with the portraying of Rachel Carson. Good author he tells her story very well. Very interesting reading." Read more

3 customers mention "Environmental impact"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's focus on environmental issues, with one customer highlighting Rachel Carson's role as a maverick in this field.

"Wonderfully written and informative about a maverick of Environmental issues ~ delightful read as well ~ Provides major insight into the life of..." Read more

"...It is a book that helps you feel empowered to try and do our best to help the environment...." Read more

"...much there is still to be done to make our world healthier and environmentally safe." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jean7P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Rachel Carson
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This was an amazing book that gave me a greater respect and new love for this strong woman. The depth of her commitment to her beliefs and family were more than admirable. I had previously been unaware of her physical and personal struggles. The politics of science and publication were new to me, as was her legacy that lasts today. This story was full of life... not a bit dry in spite of covering such a complex person and topic. I highly recommend it!
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  • Carol Mckenna
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Gentle Subversive Rachel Carson
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderfully written and informative about a maverick of Environmental issues ~ delightful read as well ~ Provides major insight into the life of Rachel Carson and how she came to be the writer she was ~ excellent ~
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  • Tai
    5.0 out of 5 stars A former book hater Loved This
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    As many kids could understand, reading required textbooks and stories is boring and kills the literature lover in us. But this was an amazing read. It is a book that helps you feel empowered to try and do our best to help the environment. It also shows the heart and the caring and compassion of Rachel Carson. A woman who died too soon.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lady Of the Dark Tower
    5.0 out of 5 stars A woman to save the world
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Rachel Carson is my ideal in a woman: dedicated to education and writing, giving herself for the sake of trying to save us from ourselves with the use of virulent pesticides. I personally had not read her earlier books depiciting in minute detail the life in the ocean, and along the beaches, as well as into the swamps and other places where life teems. I do however remember that I dearly loved the beaches of South Carolina, particularly Edisto Beach where there were great flocks of brown pelicans, and a hundred other shorebirds always on view at this beach when we vacationed there with our children. But soon came years, one after another, when those beautiful pelicans became fewer and fewer, and almost vanished, till her book, SILENT SPRINT, began the movement to save the earth from man's overuse of poisons to kill insects. This book gives a great view of her driving obsession to write in great detail about the beautifully intricate life of the earth around us. From this great piece of writing, Carson's own great pieces of writing can be appreciated even more. A GREAT biography of a GREAT woman.
    One person found this helpful
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  • K Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars An well titled book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    An amazing true story of a women who fought with calm and intelligence against powerful oil companies and the government in the 50's. Her research is thorough and makes the reader mindful of how much there is still to be done to make our world healthier and environmentally safe.
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  • rosie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book contents fine - but edition smaller and less well bound thatn I'd anticipated.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Fine but smallish, rather crowded edition. Would have preferred a larger format and perhaps a better laid out design too. Contents as expected and fine.
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  • Bugs
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Mark Lytle does fine justice to the legacy of Rachel Carson in this well researched summary of her early life, upbringing, education, professional experiences, evolution of her writing and publishing culminating with the struggles to write and publish her most potent and last book, "Silent Spring", a dire warning of how deadly pesticide and herbicide assaults were damaging the health of ecosystems and non-targeted life forms including humans and which many proffer, launched the modern age of environmentalism.

    Lytle continues Carson's beautiful legacy in his "Epilogue" and "Afterword".

    Packed with an abundance of notes, citations and bibliography, this little book gives one a huge sense of awe and admiration for Carson's perseverance and dedication to educate the world about the interconnectedness and beauty of Nature and to cultivate a sense of responsibility and good stewardship.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Peggy N. Lyle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent book about Rachel Carson and her life journey and contributions.
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