Courage for the Earth: Writers, Scientists, and Activists Celebrate the Life and Writing of Rachel Carson

by Peter Matthiessen

For environmentally critical times, Courage for the Earth is a centennial appreciation of Rachel Carson's brave life and transformative writing

Rachel Carson’s lyrical, popular books about the sea, including her best-selling The Sea Around Us, set a standard for nature writing. By the late 1950s, Carson was the most respected science writer in America.

She completed Silent Spring (1962) against formidable personal odds, and with it shaped a powerful social movement that has altered the course of history. In Silent Spring, Carson asserted that “the right of the citizen to be secure in his own home against the intrusion of poisons applied by other persons” must surely be a basic human right. She was the first to challenge the moral vacuity of a government that refused to take responsibility for or to acknowledge evidence of environmental damage.

In this volume, today’s foremost scientists and writers give compelling evidence that Carson’s transformative insights -- her courage for the earth -- are giving a new generation of activists the inspiration they need to move consumers, industry, and government to action.

Contributors include John Elder, Al Gore, John Hay, Freeman House, Linda Lear, Robert Michael Pyle, Janisse Ray, Sandra Steingraber, Terry Tempest Williams, and E. O. Wilson

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Environment, Writing, Biography, Science, Essays

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2007

About the author

Peter Matthiessen is the author of more than thirty books and the only writer to win the National Book Award for both non-fiction (The Snow Leopard, in two categories, in 1979 and 1980) and fiction (Shadow Country, in 2008). A co-founder of The Paris Review and a world-renowned naturalist, explorer and activist, he died in April 2014.

Reviews

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a little unfair of me to rate this book because opinions of it will likely differ depending on the reader. As someone who has read Carson biographies, I found these essays a bit disappointing because they spend a lot of time rehashing the standard information about her life and reactions to her books. It was repetitive and less enlightening than I’d hoped.

On the other hand, for a reader who knows little about Carson, or a reader who is approaching this from a passion for the environmental movement, this collection might be deeply satisfying. It provides a strong sense of the great love and esteem environmental writers and activists have for Carson, and you will get a nice overview of who she is and why she matters.

It’s a quick, enjoyable read with a nice range of different viewpoints. Not a bad collection, but not much new in here for Carson enthusiasts.

[Hannah]

If you’re already familiar with Carson’s life and work, you may find a few of the contributions repetitive. Most of the essays are abbreviated biographies, with insertions and insights that vary by author. Some are a little dubious, scientifically, if well-intentioned (see Janisse Ray’s “Changing Sex”, with the cringe-inducing language you’d expect from 2007 on this topic). Others are simply amazing: “Silent Spring: A Father-Daughter Dance” by Sandra Steingraber is a standout. Freeman House’s “Silent Future” is another great essay, though sobering that it was published in 2007 and its urgency about climate change still applies. Linda Lear writes eloquently about Carson, so it’s fitting that her two essays bookend this collection.

[Cassidie · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting way to write a biography i just don’t tend to love them

[Todd Stansbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of essays that illuminate more about Rachel Carson than you had ever really known. Seeing the impact she had on such a diverse group of people is fascinating. What I like especially is seeing new essays from people that have written about her before. My biggest complaint; and this goes beyond just this book; for some reason everyone who writes about her feels the need to discuss all the dissent all over again. If I had been the editor I likely would have encouraged those very repetitive pages to be removed.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyond "Silent Spring" I had no idea of Ms.Carson's voice and interests on behalf of the environment. She was especially prolific on oceanography and had a very lyrical voice in her pleas for protection. I'm enjoying reading tributes from the other authors who were inspired by the entire body of her work. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the beginnings of the "good mother Earth" movement.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Containing essays by famous writers, scientists, and activists, this book reminded me of why I've always been a fan of Rachel Carson. Many of the essays have overlapping themes, but overall it was a good read.

[Crystal]

I really enjoyed reading these essays by people deeply involved with environmental issues. It gave me a new perspective on Rachel Carson as a writer and as a woman who changed the world.

[Rift Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Each essay had a wonderfully different focus and they were all thought provoking. I will definitely be re-reading this one.

[stephoto604 · Rating 4 out of 5]

an important book about environmental issues that continue long after rachel carson first sounded the alarms!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read "Silent Spring" first for context. Great discourse.