Every once in a while in the history of mankind, a book has appeared which has substantially altered the course of history…

Senator Ernest Gruening to Rachel Carson

Silent Spring is an environmental science book about the adverse environmental effects of the use of synthetic pesticides. It was published in 1962. It was highly controversial and heavily opposed by chemical companies. The environmental concerns it raised caught the eye of the authorities due to overwhelming scientific evidence and backing from several eminent scientists and the academic community. After scientific investigation of synthetic pesticides by the government, with the book and Carson herself testifying  of their adverse environmental effects, the nationwide pesticide policy was reversed. In addition, it inspired the environmental movement which led to the creation of the United States Environmental Agency (EPA) in 1970.