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How the Plumber Saved Civilization
Atria
May 2006
256 pages
ISBN: 0743474082
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction | Historical
Hodding Carter writes, "The unsung hero of human history
was, of course, the Brain of Drains, the Hub of Tubs, the
Power of Showers, the Brewer of Sewers...the humble
plumber.... The Irish may have saved civilization, once, but
plumbers have done so countless times." When we consider the amenities that really make a difference
in our well-being, surely good plumbing must rank near the
top. But rarely have we taken the time to appreciate the
engineering marvels that bring clean water into our homes
with the turn of a tap and wash our waste products away with
the flip of a lever. Until now. Witty, anecdotal, and thoroughly entertaining, Flushed not
only chronicles the long and notable history of plumbing,
but follows Hodding Carter's travels and travails as he
casts his own Roman lead water pipes inspired by the
writings of Pliny the Elder, descends into the sewers of
London, installs a state-of-the-art Japanese toilet in his
bathroom, and fearlessly tries to understand everything
about this most underappreciated pillar of civilization. A winning combination of history, science, and firsthand
experience, Flushed will entertain and educate all those who
have never contemplated the hidden intricacies of this
miracle of everyday technology.
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