Remaking the John: The Invention and Reinvention of the Toilet

Gr 5–8—Whether you call it the loo, the privy, the throne, the john, the jakes, or the latrine, the modern toilet is a major contribution to health and convenience. DiPiazza's readable text follows the ancient history of the potty all over the world, in such disparate places as Skara Brae (Scotland), Moheno Daro (Pakistan), and imperial Rome (whose abundant water supply, fine engineering, and Tiber River allowed construction of public toilets with multiple seating!). The fall of Rome apparently meant the fall of the toilet, too, and the following Dark Ages were dark indeed when it came to sanitation. The author goes on to cover the consequences of a lack of properly constructed toilet and sewage systems: diseases, stenches, nasty walking surfaces, and a grossly polluted water supply, among them. She mentions mod cons, such as the space toilet and the decomposting toilet much admired by "greenies," and the problems encountered by the millions who have no access to modern sanitation. Blue information boxes focus on such topics as a modern sewage treatment plant, sewer blockages, and toilet paper. Black-and-white and color photos lend visuals. Neither as simple as Connie Miller's colorful Getting to Know Your Toilet: The Disgusting Story Behind Your Home's Strangest Feature (Capstone, 2008) nor as demanding as Sarah Albee's lighthearted but seriously informative Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom Up (Walker, 2010), this honest, fact-filled little book should attract readers and researchers (who may even begin celebrating World Toilet Day every November 19).—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY