Dirt, Terence McLaughlin
Dirt, Terence McLaughlin
List: $34.99 | Sale: $24.50
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Dirt
A Social History as Seen Through the Uses and Abuses of Dirt

Author: Terence McLaughlin

Narrator: Todd Belcher

Unabridged: 6 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/04/2024


Synopsis

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 smoke to personal hygiene are constantly shifting with the economic and political exigencies of the era. McLaughlin cites Old Testament examples of cleanliness which, unbeknownst at the time, helped protect the observant from the plague. The famous baths of ancient Rome were seen as progress for personal hygiene, and later scorned by Christians who rejected all things Roman.

With a litany of fascinating examples, McLaughlin sheds light on how we accept or reject substances. Dirt is essential listening for anyone wishing to understand how we shape our environment.

©1971 Terence McLaughlin. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ken

A thoroughly entertaining and informative expose about everything you wanted to know about any foul or filthy substance such as mud, grime, dust, or excrement in Britain down through the ages. However, I definitely would not recommend eating while reading any part of this book because the descriptio......more

Goodreads review by Keita

This is the most interesting book that I've read in a while. It explains much that many have not thought about. This is a history that is not taught in school concerning European people. The question that begs to be asked is, how did they get in that condition and how did they get out? There are two......more

Goodreads review by Chris

This is a book that was out of print, so when I had a chance to get it I jumped at it. Kids these days use the term savage, this is the perfect term for this people Savages. Very good insight on the way of living and the core of the culture. This book makes me think of things I saw watching Bugs Bun......more

Goodreads review by S.L.

It was a weird book that rambled and weaved its way through the history of dirtiness. But I highly enjoyed it.......more