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| Vol. 18, No. 28 | April 22, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 28 | April 22, 1999 |
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So begins the introduction to Rebel with A Conscience, the autobiography of one of Delaware's best-known citizens, Russ Peterson, just published by the University of Delaware Press. Peterson's long and varied career has taken him from the laboratories of the DuPont Co.'s Experimental Station and plant sites to the governor's office and to the Oval Office, where he has advised presidents on environmental issues.
Early response to the book has been enthusiastic. Former President Jimmy Carter has written about the book, "Russ Peterson's book is good reading for everyone who cares about finding solutions to the world's problems. During his rich and active multiple careers....Peterson has been a champion of the environment, the underdog and future generations."
Ted Turner called Russ Peterson "truly an outstanding American who has demonstrated lifelong leadership for all the right goals."
A mover and shaker of the entrenched establishment in industry, politics and society, Peterson followed his own agenda and relishes relating the ups and downs and the conflicts and successes he encountered during his career. As Peterson writes in the book, "I learned early that I would have to forego the comfort of 'going along to get along.'"
The book is an insider's view of DuPont during the mid-century, the state of Delaware during Peterson's active political years and the national environmental and government organizations that he led.
Becoming governor in 1969, Peterson abolished the whipping post, debtors' prison and was largely responsible for the Coastal Zone Act. He was instrumental in reorganizing the state Republican party and moved the state to the cabinet system of government, earning many opponents along the way.
He was defeated in his bid for a second term, but new windows opened up, and he launched a third career as an environmentalist. In 1973, he was sworn in as chairperson of the President's Council on Environmental Quality and wrote, "At last I had the job I wanted. It seemed I was now in a position where I could have some real impact on saving--and restoring--environmental quality on a national and even international scale. The next three years would be among the most rewarding of my life."
In 1977, he became director of the Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress. Looking back at those years in politics in Washington and Delaware, he writes, "Compared to all the leaders in the White House or the State House in Delaware during the past 22 years, [President] Carter was by far the most environmentally conscious and committed. Although we came from different political parties, we were able to work together and have become increasingly good friends...."
He later got his "dream job" as president of the Audubon Society and then became involved in Ted Turner's Better World Society, which produced groundbreaking documentary films on worldwide issues before disbanding in 1991.
The last part of the book examines some of the issues that have concerned Peterson--population growth, consumption of resources and the impact of new technology. He calls upon everyone to make a difference by recognizing the "wondrous uniqueness of life on Earth" and by "passing it on in good health to future generations."
A multimedia CD-ROM accompanies the book with photos, videos, interviews and narration and selects pathways through the book on such topics as the environmental movement and inside politics.
-- Sue Moncure
Russell Peterson will sign copies of his book from 11 a.m.-noon, Thursday, May 13, at the University Bookstore in the Perkins Student Center.
