Books that Change the World

The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


You think you know a lot about the sea until you read this astounding book. What is particularly astounding is that this book was published in 1951 and foretold much of what has come to fruition in terms of ocean acidification, global warming, toxic fish. I am witnessing firsthand these ill effects on the fishing industry, as threats to the Dungeness Crab fishery here in Oregon are a reality. (An association of fishermen recently filed suit against fossil fuel producers for destruction of the ocean/fishing grounds.)

I learned a great deal about how our planet was formed, the ocean bottom, shifting continents, fish migration, mysterious fish from the deep ocean, but more importantly, how fragile and threatened the world's fisheries are.

In 1951 she wrote, "the evidence that the top of the world is growing warmer is to be found at every hand."

Beautifully written, Carson, an early conservationist, won acclaim for sounding the alarm against pollution and global warming.



View all my reviews