Remaking the John, The Invention and Reinvention of the Toilet

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 17, 2015

Review

In just 55 pages, the author covers the evolution of how people eliminate their waste, the history, terminology and innovation of toilets and the management of human waste products in a variety of ancient and present day cultures. The topic will draw in many readers ready to giggle over a subject not often mentioned in polite society. These same readers will come away with ample facts about the role toilets, or lack of them, have played in human history and in current health and natural resource crises. The text is written in short, fact filled declarative sentences so the resulting narrative is somewhat stilted. There is abundant use of photographs, historical illustrations and diagrams but the placement of these often don't match up well with the text. Still, this high interest topic is presented in a way that readers will acquire entertaining facts to share with others and gain an understanding of the crucial role that clean, safe toilets play in all of our lives. Back matter includes an index, source notes, bibliography and suggestions for further reading.

Overall Book Score: good