Rachel Carson is the twentieth century's most significant environmentalist. Her books about the sea blend science and poetry as they invite readers to share her celebration of the ocean's wonders. Silent Spring, her compelling expose of the damage caused by the widespread aerial spraying of persistent organic pesticides such as DDT, opened our eyes to the interconnectedness of all living beings and the ecological systems we inhabit. Carson's work challenges the belief that science and technology can control the natural world. She calls us to rekindle our sense of wonder at nature's power and beauty, and to tread lightly on the earth so that it will continue to sustain us and our descendants.