The story of the modern bathroom is both one of grand feats of engineering and mass production; and of the unremarkable; mundane and repressed. The most private place in the home; the bathroom is where we perform the most intimate of our daily routines; it is also a space where we take refuge from the outside world. Yet the moment we turn on a tap or flush the toilet; the smallest room is hooked up to the largest of all infrastructural systems: a vast and complex network of pipes; pumps and treatment plants.Bathroom charts the evolution of the bathroom and the habits and lifestyles to which it gave rise. The book considers how and why the bathroom emerged and how it became an international symbol of key modern values ndash; of cleanliness; order and progress. It explores how the modern bathroom; its technologies and its customs have been exported globally through colonialism; the media; fashion; world expositions and tourism; and the tensions this process has caused. It also discusses more user-friendly and low-tech alternatives; which are set to become ever more relevant in our environmentally conscious age.Abundantly illustrated; Bathroom examines examples from history and from across the globe. From squats to hi-tech bidet toilets; and from cast-iron bathtubs to monsoon showers; Bathroom is an original and eye-opening study of this signiï¬cant but often overlooked space.
#590194 in eBooks 2014-05-26 2014-05-26File Name: B00KB4E4HU
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. If you liked Devil in the White City; youll like this book!By Thomas C.Having passed through the "Cereal City" many times; I ran across this book via an interesting write-up of the author and found it intriguing. Possessing some knowledge of the area; I thought it would be a good read--I was not mistaken! Ive been a "true historical crime" fan; especially of Devil in the White City; which is a book of a similar vane. While similar in nature; this story is less dark in comparison--so; if you enjoy historical crime stories; this book will fit the bill.The story does a solid job of documenting the life of Adam "Pump" Arnold from his beginnings on a farm out east; his flight to the "western" town of Milton (now known as Battle Cree) to his eventual rise as a criminal kingpin; peddler of alcohol and other delights; and his financial enrichment by his misdeeds and his unfortunate marks; and his eventual downfall (and conviction) for killing his son; one of the "town drunks." The authors do a wonderful job providing background information of Battle Creek and the development of the "Western" towns of the mid 1800s.Pump (his nickname derived from a pump factory he owned with his brother) appears to have relished in his life of crime; stealing from gullible town visitors or just about anyone he could get money from. His tactics in intimidation and his interest in sharing his side of the story with the local newspapers appear to predate the current President Elect; although the manner of execution and style are one-in-the-same. (Take this comment for what you will or dismiss accordingly.)Overall; an interesting read and it is worth your time--buy; borrow; or check it out at your local library.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A great historical Victorian age crime book!By Rose PardoeIt was an interesting look at how crime was treated in that era. I couldnt believe all the crimes Pump got away with. He was a criminal and treated by the law as just a rascal.It was not just the story of criminal but also a story of the birth of a city. I enjoyed every minute of it and will probably read it again!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I didnt care for the first few chapters but the ...By Mary AnnI didnt care for the first few chapters but the rest of the book was very informational. I was born and raised in Battle Creek; Mi.
