United States
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This collection of biographies describes twelve women conservationists who helped change the ways Americans interact with the natural environment; their writings led Americans to think differently about their land - that deserts are not wastelands, swamps have value, and harmful insects don't have to be controlled chemically. These women not only wrote on behalf of conservation of the American landscape but also described strategies for living exemplary, environmentally sound lives during the past century. From a bird lover to a "back to the land" activist, these women gave early warning of the detrimental effects of neglecting conservation. The main part of this work covers six historical figures who pioneered in their thinking and writing about the environment: Mary Austin, Florence Merriam Bailey, Rosalie Edge, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Helen Nearing, and Rachel Carson. A later chapter gives portraits of six post-World War II conservationists: Faith McNulty, Ann Zwnger, Sue Hubbell, Anne LaBastille, Mollie Beattie, and Terry Tempest Williams. The work covers a broad range of conservationist concerns, including preservation of deserts and old growth forests, wildlife protection, wetlands maintenance, self-sufficient sustainable ways of producing food, and pollution control. A conclusion examines where conservationists have picked up after Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) and gives conservation ideas for our time. An appendix lists the published writings of the twelve conservationists.
Customer Reviews:
Uncovering hidden contributions of 12 American Female Conservationists
by Peg Tucker in the United States (08/09/2012)
I read Carson's Silent Spring and sought other books about female conservationists which lead me to Holmes book and discovered a wealth of information about so many other wonderful women whose contributions have been over-shadowed by their male counterparts. So this is a good book to read for enjoyment but also a rich resource for High School Teachers and College Professors to add to their suggested reading materials for many subjects. It is inspiring to read of the valuable conservationist work these women did and also hurtful to read about how they had to fight to be heard and validated. Holmes is sometimes repetitious but that is also helpful to the reader because the content is scientific and her audience is not limited to professionals. This book would be a wise addition to one's library and also a book that a family might read together. Buy it or get your library to buy it!
