Of Man and the Stream of Time by Carson, Rachel - 1962

Claremont, California: Scripps College [Anderson, Ritchie & Simon: The Ward Ritchie Press], 1962. Original wraps. Near fine. Octavo size, 12 pp. Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was a marine biologist and conservationist best known for her book "Silent Spring", a study of the negative effects of pesticides on the environment and an unsparing criticism of the chemical industry, which she accused of spreading disinformation about its products. The book led to a ban on DDT, a chemical commonly used as an insecticide in agriculture, and spurred an environmental movement that led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. (n. b., info from Wikipedia). "Of Man and the Stream of Time" is the text of the commencement speech Carson gave at Scripps College; the day of commencement was also the first day a series of articles written by Carson was published in the "New Yorker" based on "Silent Spring", which was published that same year. In the text, Carson makes an impassioned case for a respectful and symbiotic relationship between man and nature; because "[n]ature is the part of the world that man did not make", and we should appreciate and coexist with the natural world, rather than seek to dominate and exploit it. A paramount message, beautifully delivered, and still relevent today in our time of rapid technological advances. ___DESCRIPTION: Green paper wraps, title in black inside a white rectangle with emblem of the college in green, two staples along the spine, title page with the emblem of the college in black; octavo size (9" by 6"), pagination: [1-4] 5-11 [12]. ___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean wraps, a strong, square text block, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some edge wear to the spine, else fine. ___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.