"First published by Houghton Mifflin in 1962, Silent Spring alerted a large audience to the environmental and human dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides, spurring revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. “Silent Spring became a runaway bestseller, with international reverberations . . . [It is] well crafted, fearless and succinct . . . Even if she had not inspired a generation of activists, Carson would prevail...

Profiles scientist and writer Rachel L. Carson, whose 1962 book "Silent Spring" warned of the impact of pesticides on the environment and started the modern environmental movement.

The Silent Spring of our time From an MIT scientist, mounting evidence that the active ingredient in the world's most commonly used weedkiller is responsible for debilitating chronic diseases, including cancer, liver disease, and more Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most commonly used weedkiller in the world. Nearly 300 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicide are sprayed on farms-and food-every year. Agrichemical companies...