The Roots of American Environmentalism

Summary |  Excerpt |  Reviews |  Beyond the Book |  Read-Alikes |  Genres & Themes |  Author Bio

Toms River by Dan Fagin

Toms River

A Story of Science and Salvation

by Dan Fagin
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (4):
  • First Published:
  • Mar 19, 2013, 560 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 2015, 576 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

The Roots of American Environmentalism

This article relates to Toms River

Print Review

As Fagin shows readers through the specific events in Toms River, environmental and ecological concerns began to receive attention in American politics in the 1960s and 1970s. The creation of the Department of Environmental Protection (now the Environmental Protection Agency) was heavily encouraged, in part, by individuals across America who, like the residents of Toms River, feared for the well-being of their region and themselves.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring Investigative journalists played a significant role in spearheading the movement by reporting on the dangers of environmental toxins, deforestation, nuclear testing, and other ecological damage. Most notable among literary works was the 1962 Silent Spring, an exposé by marine biologist Rachel Carson. Her exploration of the negative effects of pesticides was one of the factors that led to the national ban on DDT, and her work is often credited with creating the public awareness that was needed to bring about social and political change.

This concern from the general public about environmental health also led to the establishment of numerous nonprofits in the 60s and 70s, such as Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Union for Concerned Scientists. In 1970 Senator Nelson from Wisconsin was inspired to establish Earth Day after he witnessed the worst oil spill of the time, off the coast of California. So many of these actions are still pertinent to American politics today, and as Fagin reminds us, are valuable things to remember when we look towards the health and well-being of our future.

Picture from Audubon Magazine's blog

Filed under Society and Politics

This "beyond the book article" relates to Toms River. It originally ran in March 2013 and has been updated for the April 2015 paperback edition. Go to magazine.

Membership Advantages
  • Reviews
  • "Beyond the Book" articles
  • Free books to read and review (US only)
  • Find books by time period, setting & theme
  • Read-alike suggestions by book and author
  • Book club discussions
  • and much more!
  • Just $60 for 12 months or $20 for 3 months.
  • More about membership!

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    Death at the Sign of the Rook
    by Kate Atkinson
    Jackson Brodie returns in a gripping new mystery! Welcome to Rook Hall. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed.

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    This Here Is Love
    by Princess Joy L. Perry

    Three people—two enslaved, one indentured—struggle to overcome the limits and labels of their painful shared pasts.

  • Book Jacket

    The Magician of Tiger Castle
    by Louis Sachar

    The author of Holes returns with a magical adult debut about forbidden love and a kingdom on the brink of collapse.

  • Book Jacket

    Too Old for This
    by Samantha Downing

    A retired killer's secret is at risk when a visitor arrives—her only option? Another murder.

  • Book Jacket

    A Club of One's Own
    by BookBrowse

    Dreaming of starting or reviving a book club? A Club of One’s Own is the essential guide to doing it right.

Win This Book
Win All the Men I've Loved Again

All the Men I've Loved Again by Christine Pride

Christine Pride's solo debut explores a woman's love triangle in her 20s that unexpectedly resurfaces in her 40s.

Enter

Book
Trivia

  • Book Trivia

    Can you name the title?

    Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

T T O the T

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.