Rachel Carson had to deal with many obstacles in her life--including the belief that women shouldn't be scientists. Still, the quiet and shy Carson never gave up on her love of writing, her passion to uncover the truth, and her unwavering commitment to protect the natural world. Rarely does a single person change the course of history. But with her book Silent Spring about the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment, Carson did exactly that--and laid the groundwork for the modern environmental movement.