Shared experiences draw people together. Share a book. Share an experience.
Shared experiences draw people together. That is why the One Book, One Community (OBOC) program continued this year, the fourth year for the program at Pitt Public Health. The event is open to everyone in the school. This year's selection was Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.
About the Book
Where to Get the Book
OBOC Bulletin Board
Visit OBOC on Facebook
Main Event
Share Your Experience
In the News
Resources
About the Book
Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was first published in three serialized excerpts in the New Yorker in June of 1962. The book appeared in September of that year and the outcry that followed its publication forced the banning of DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. Carson’s passionate concern for the future of our planet reverberated powerfully throughout the world, and her eloquent book was instrumental in launching the environmental movement. It is without question one of the landmark books of the twentieth century. This year, 2012, is the 50th anniversary of the publication.
Where to Get the Book
Books can be purchased at a 10% discount at the Pitt Bookstore, located on Forbes Avenue, by showing your Pitt ID. Students, be sure to check your class syllabi as this book may be a required text for a school core course or other class.
OBOC Bulletin Board
This was the second year of a school bulletin board. The photo to the right is of the first display, a timeline of Rachel Carson's life. Displays changed every six weeks throughout the academic year.
Visit OBOC on Facebook
Launched on the 50th anniversary of Silent Spring's publication, the One Book One Community Facebook page will promote online interactive news feeds, tools, discussions and more. Visit and like the page at: www.facebook.com/PittPubHlthOneBookOneCommunity.
Main Event
The 2012-13 One Book, One Community Main Event was held on March 18. The event included a viewing of the movie, A Sense of Wonder and panel discussion of Pitt Public Health faculty, Drs. Bernard Goldstein, Candace Kammerer, and Jeremy Martinson. Unfortunately our scheduled guest Dr. Leonard Krishtalka, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas was unable to join us. A reception followed the event where the conversation continued.
Share Your Experience
Students and members of the Pitt Public Health community are asked to share their OBOC experience and to provide us with ideas for future OBOC books. A brief survey is available here.
In the News
- March 2013 | "From the Sea to Silent Spring" by Fredrick R. Davis, Science. Access article here.
- September 28 | "Life in a Contaminated World" by Louis J. Guillette, Jr. and Taisen Iguchi, Science. Access article here.
- September 27 | "Rachel Carson's Book Turned the Environmental World on it's Ear 50 Years Ago" by Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Access article here.
- September 21 | "How 'Silent Spring' Ignited the Environmental Movement" by Eliza Griswold, The New York Times. Access article here.
- September 20 | "Silent Spring to get big screen adaptation," Variety Film News. Access article here.
- September 9 | "Rachel Carson, killer of Africans?" by William Souder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Access article here.
- September 3 | "Rachel Carson's Prescience" by Rob Nixon, The Chronicle of Higher Education. Access article here.
Resources
- The Legacy of Silent Spring | CBS News Video
- The Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University
- Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring A Book that Changed the World | Environment & Society Portal | Virtual Exhibition
- In our backyard, the Rachel Carson homestead located in Springdale, just 18 miles away.
Shared experiences draw people together. Share a book. Share an experience.
If you have any questions, contact Robin Leaf, educational programs coordinator, 412-648-5984.