Review of 'The Big Necessity : The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
George has a combination of Mary Roach and Michael Pollan's writing styles, which fits well with this book. I didn't want to read an academic overview of poo - I wanted a little of the creative non-fiction goodness Roach is famous for. I wouldn't say you need a strong stomach to read this book, but it is a book about human waste (mostly poo).[return][return]The book starts with an introduction to the recent history and current ways we in the US and UK have built waste management systems. I found it fascinating. George goes down in sewers, and interviews sanitation workers who have great stories of all the stuff we throw down the toilet.[return][return]That sets you up with a basic knowledge of how waste management works, which is a good lead-in for the next part of the book, which looks at how less-developed countries deal with human waste. There's no judgment …
George has a combination of Mary Roach and Michael Pollan's writing styles, which fits well with this book. I didn't want to read an academic overview of poo - I wanted a little of the creative non-fiction goodness Roach is famous for. I wouldn't say you need a strong stomach to read this book, but it is a book about human waste (mostly poo).[return][return]The book starts with an introduction to the recent history and current ways we in the US and UK have built waste management systems. I found it fascinating. George goes down in sewers, and interviews sanitation workers who have great stories of all the stuff we throw down the toilet.[return][return]That sets you up with a basic knowledge of how waste management works, which is a good lead-in for the next part of the book, which looks at how less-developed countries deal with human waste. There's no judgment in her words - and she reminds us that our system of dumping waste into the ocean doesn't exactly solve the problem.[return][return]One unexpectedly great aspect to the book is her interviews with various non-profits who are trying to combat waste-related problems in developing countries. It's a study in how to get a community on board with a program that may be very different and outside their cultural norms to participate in.[return][return]There's not a lot of preaching for personal change, but I appreciate that at the end, she talks about what's she's chosen to change now that she's a waste expert.