Chemical Age - How Chemists Fought Famine and Disease, Killed Millions, and Changed Our Relationship with the Earth

The Chemical Age by Frank A. von Hippel explores the history of pesticide use, from the potato blight tragedy of the 1840s to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, revealing how humankind's affinity for pesticides made the modern world possible but also threatened its essential fabric.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 368 pages
\n Publication date: 05 October 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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For countless generations, humanity has sought innovative methods to cleanse, sanitize, and purify our surroundings, aiming to create a safer environment for ourselves. While these approaches have occasionally yielded remarkable results, they often carry unforeseen and unintended consequences, which may not be fully comprehended for several generations. The Chemical Age, authored by Frank A. von Hippel, delves into the captivating narrative of the scientists who waged a war against famine and disease through the use of chemistry. With profound insight and enthusiasm, von Hippel explores the delicate equilibrium between humanity and pests, shedding light on how their existence and the relentless efforts to eradicate them have profoundly shaped our modern world.

The journey begins with the tragic potato blight incident of the 1840s, which propelled scientists into a urgent mission to prevent famine through the application of pesticides. Von Hippel meticulously traces the history of pesticide use, spanning from the 1840s to the 1960s, during which Rachel Carson's Silent Spring revealed the insidious harm these chemicals were inflicting upon our health and contributing to the extinction of species. Through vivid and detailed storytelling, von Hippel showcases the exhilarating and intricate consequences of scientific discovery. He delves into the invention of substances capable of safeguarding crops, the advancement of our understanding of disease transmission, the development of chemicals employed for the eradication of pests and humans, and ultimately, the massive scale deployment of these wartime chemicals in the landscape, which sparked the vital environmental movement that persists today.

For enthusiasts of Jared Diamond and Rachel Carson, The Chemical Age presents a dynamic and comprehensive history that unveils the profound impact of humankind's affinity for pesticides on the development of the modern world. At the same time, it serves as a stark reminder of the threats posed to the very fabric of our existence.

\n Weight: 684g\n
Dimension: 162 x 236 x 33 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226697246\n \n