Silent Spring may have lead to the death of 30 million (coincidently non-white) children by malaria in the past 40+ years. On the basis of body count alone it deserves serious consideration.
Silent Spring was also the first “environmental crisis” book. I don’t think Al Gore would have gotten nearly as much traction as he has if Rachael Carson hadn’t led the way.
I guess that makes her Margaret Sanger's soul-sister.