Reviews
Rose George has trolled the gutters of the world for the predictable low-matter and come up with something weirdly spiritual. Worship the porcelain god, revere its ubiquity and protest its absence: George reveals that the act of private and sanitary defecation is the key to health, the wealth of nations, and even civilization itself., This engaging, highly readable book puts sanitation in its proper place--as a central challenge in human development. Rose George has tackled this critical topic with insight, wit, and a storyteller's flair., "Rose George's subject-the global politics of defecation-is both superbly indelicate and morally imperative. With the basic health and dignity of several billion poor people at stake, we need to take s**t seriously in the most literal sense. Human solidarity, as she so passionately demonstrates, begins with the squatting multitudes."-Mike Davis, author ofPlanet of Slums "In Rose George's hometown in England, impoverished immigrants took up residence in the new public latrines. ('Fighting over the more spacious disabled cubicle was fierce.') Which is worse? Living in a toilet or living without one? George bravely-and sometimes literally-submerges herself in the tragedy and occasional comedy of global sanitation. Sludge, biogas, New York City sewage: I ate it up and wanted more! The most unforgettable book to pass through the publishing pipeline in years."-Mary Roach, author ofStiff, "Rose George's subject-the global politics of defecation-is both superbly indelicate and morally imperative. With the basic health and dignity of several billion poor people at stake, we need to take s**t seriously in the most literal sense. Human solidarity, as she so passionately demonstrates, begins with the squatting multitudes."-Mike Davis, author of Planet of Slums "In Rose George's hometown in England, impoverished immigrants took up residence in the new public latrines. ('Fighting over the more spacious disabled cubicle was fierce.') Which is worse? Living in a toilet or living without one? George bravely-and sometimes literally-submerges herself in the tragedy and occasional comedy of global sanitation. Sludge, biogas, New York City sewage: I ate it up and wanted more! The most unforgettable book to pass through the publishing pipeline in years."-Mary Roach, author of Stiff "This fascinating, wise, and scrupulously drawn portrait of the world and its waste will last long as a seriously important book. Like a literary treatment farm, it manages to turn the completely unpalatable into something utterly irresistible. Rose George, a brave, compassionate, and ceaselessly impeccable reporter-and, when needed, a very funny one too-has performed for us all who care a very great service. A big necessity, indeed."-Simon Winchester, author of The Man Who Loved China "This engaging, highly readable book puts sanitation in its proper place-as a central challenge in human development. Rose George has tackled this critical topic with insight, wit, and a storyteller's flair."-Louis Boorstin, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation "Rose George has trolled the gutters of the world for the predictable low-matter and come up with something weirdly spiritual. Worship the porcelain god, revere its ubiquity and protest its absence: George reveals that the act of private and sanitary defecation is the key to health, the wealth of nations, and even civilization itself."-Lisa Margonelli, author of Oil on the Brain, Rose George's subject--the global politics of defecation--is both superbly indelicate and morally imperative. With the basic health and dignity of several billion poor people at stake, we need to take s**t seriously in the most literal sense. Human solidarity, as she so passionately demonstrates, begins with the squatting multitudes., This fascinating, wise, and scrupulously drawn portrait of the world and its waste will last long as a seriously important book. Like a literary treatment farm, it manages to turn the completely unpalatable into something utterly irresistible. Rose George, a brave, compassionate, and ceaselessly impeccable reporter--and, when needed, a very funny one too--has performed for us all who care a very great service. A big necessity, indeed., In Rose George's hometown in England, impoverished immigrants took up residence in the new public latrines. ('Fighting over the more spacious disabled cubicle was fierce.') Which is worse? Living in a toilet or living without one? George bravely--and sometimes literally--submerges herself in the tragedy and occasional comedy of global sanitation. Sludge, biogas, New York City sewage: I ate it up and wanted more! The most unforgettable book to pass through the publishing pipeline in years., "Rose George's subject-the global politics of defecation-is both superbly indelicate and morally imperative. With the basic health and dignity of several billion poor people at stake, we need to take s**t seriously in the most literal sense. Human solidarity, as she so passionately demonstrates, begins with the squatting multitudes."-Mike Davis, author ofPlanet of Slums"In Rose George's hometown in England, impoverished immigrants took up residence in the new public latrines. ('Fighting over the more spacious disabled cubicle was fierce.') Which is worse? Living in a toilet or living without one? George bravely-and sometimes literally-submerges herself in the tragedy and occasional comedy of global sanitation. Sludge, biogas, New York City sewage: I ate it up and wanted more! The most unforgettable book to pass through the publishing pipeline in years."-Mary Roach, author ofStiff"This fascinating, wise, and scrupulously drawn portrait of the world and its waste will last long as a seriously important book. Like a literary treatment farm, it manages to turn the completely unpalatable into something utterly irresistible. Rose George, a brave, compassionate, and ceaselessly impeccable reporter-and, when needed, a very funny one too-has performed for us all who care a very great service. A big necessity, indeed."-Simon Winchester, author ofThe Man Who Loved China"This engaging, highly readable book puts sanitation in its proper place-as a central challenge in human development. Rose George has tackled this critical topic with insight, wit, and a storyteller's flair."-Louis Boorstin, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation"Rose George has trolled the gutters of the world for the predictable low-matter and come up with something weirdly spiritual. Worship the porcelain god, revere its ubiquity and protest its absence: George reveals that the act of private and sanitary defecation is the key to health, the wealth of nations, and even civilization itself."-Lisa Margonelli, author ofOil on the Brain
