The Green Revolution: The American Environmental Movement, 1962-1992

Critical Issue

by Kirkpatrick Sale

Traces the history of environmental organizations, describes major environmental threats, and looks at how the federal governement has responded

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Environment, Nature, Politics

124 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Mathew Powers · Rating 1 out of 5]

He contradicts himself beyond belief and he continually leaves his thesis to simply move towards activism and politics, which allows for a disjointed book to emerge. It is one thing to be argumentative within the confines of a historical analysis, it is another thing to vacillate between activism and history. If he wanted to write an activism book with a historical background to support his position, great -- do it! If he wants to write history, then do that. Going back and forth is annoying, plain and simple. His agenda was obvious, which would be fine if not for a history book. I started to question every cherry picked stat and survey and analysis because I knew what his motive was. This book just has a serious identity crisis.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #1 of a review on postwar histories of american environmentalism. this is an easy one to begin with - Sale's book is short (~100pgs) and really quite broad. i don't have any major misgivings with it, and it helped me understand the social (rather than philosophical) roots of the division between professional/"mainstream" environmentalism, grassroots and citizens orgs laying the foundations of environmental justice, and the eco/biocentric "radical" environmentalists.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice book that provides a history of the environmental movement, dating back to the origins of American conservationists, up to the popularization of environmental issues with the publishing of Silent Spring and the 1960's.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful overview in putting environmental legislation and groups in context.