The Big Necessity

As someone who loves the microhistories of Mary Roach, I was hoping for a fast-paced, witty story about toilets, waste, sanitation, etc. While it wasn't quite as compelling as Ms. Roach's books, the story was fascinating none the less. I was shocked to learn how many people lack basic sanitation & toilets - not even latrines or holes in the ground. I also enjoyed the multi-cultural perspective - looking at toileting & sanitation habits in various parts of the world. Jumping from the heated, musical bidets of Japan to the toilet crisis in India was jarring and produced the desired effect: being blindsided by the disparity in global sanitation.

Rather than use euphemisms or focus on clean water without addressing how the water is dirtied in the first place, Rose George forces us to confront the most basic of human needs: a place to shit. Minus 2 stars for the tedious writing (the chapter on India had so many acronyms I started skimming pages), but overall a worthwhile read for anyone interested in humanitarian or environmental issues.