Henry Carter Hull

"One smart book . . . delving deep into the history and implications of a daily act that dare not speak its name." -Newsweek Acclaimed as "extraordinary" (The New York Times) and "a classic" (Los Angeles Times), The Big Necessity is on its way to removing the taboo on bodily waste-something common to all and as natural as breathing. We prefer not to talk about it, but we should-even those of us who take care of our business in pristine, sanitary...

"Delve into the fascinating world of dirt in this history of culture, cleanliness, and our evolving perceptions of what is and isn't gross. In this engaging and often humorous study of life's imperfections, public health and hygiene authority Terence McLaughlin dissects our attitudes toward the filth that has accompanied society throughout human history. According to him, "dirt" is a matter of opinion. Cultural attitudes about everything from factory...

When two garbage collectors find the body of a local politician in the town dump frequented by whores and drug dealers, the coroner decides he died of natural causes, despite evidence to the contrary, Sicilian police inspector Salvo Montalbano decides to investigate the case on his own.

Florence Nightingale is an aristocratic woman who defied Victorian society to reform hospital sanitation and to define the nursing profession as it is known today. After volunteering to travel to Scutari to care for the wounded soldiers of the Crimean War, she was scorned by her community and was faced with great opposition for her new way of thinking. However, through her selfless acts of caring, she quickly became known as 'The Lady with the Lamp,'...

How the Victorians struggled to overcome diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and scarlet fever in their cities This is the fascinating story of how a small group of dedicated individuals fought opposition from politicians, taxpayers, and often their own colleagues to overcome disease in overwhelming numbers, and make the country a safer place for everyone to live. Victorian Britain was the world's industrial powerhouse, supplying a global demand for...