A collection of excerpts from unpublished writings and speeches by the New York Times bestselling author of the Sea trilogy and the seminal Silent Spring

'Our origins are of the earth. And so there is in us a deeply seated response to the natural universe, which is part of our humanity.'

Rachel Carson was one of the most important environmental thinkers and writers of the twentieth century. This collection brings together previously unpublished work, essays, field journals, speeches, articles and letters to create a biography of Carson's thought: a deeply personal picture of her evolution as an environmentalist and activist.

Lost Woods reveals a profound insight into the fragility of the natural world and our impact on it, and the birth of Carson's lifelong campaign to bring international attention to the monumental challenges facing us. That we are finally becoming aware of the environmental emergency is thanks in no small part to her.