Dirt: A Social History as Seen Through the Uses and Abuses of Dirt

Terence McLaughlin (1928-1980) earned a bachelor of science in chemistry and worked as a research chemist for Unilever Corporation, eventually rising to the position of company director. He then established a consulting firm and began publishing a series of scientific textbooks. Encouraged by his historian wife, Eve, he shifted his focus to authoring history and scientific books for the general public, eventually becoming an authority on public health and cleanliness. The current book (formerly titled Coprophilia) explores on humanity's relationship with filth and hygiene throughout history.

Terence McLaughlin, a public health and hygiene authority, dissects our attitudes toward the filth that has accompanied society throughout human history in this entertaining and often amusing exploration of life's faults. He believes that "dirt" is a matter of opinion.

Cultural views toward anything from workplace smoke to personal hygiene are constantly altering in response to economic and political pressures. McLaughlin offers Old Testament examples of cleanliness that, unbeknownst to the observant at the time, helped shield them from the plague. The legendary baths of ancient Rome were regarded as advances in personal hygiene, but were eventually ridiculed by Christians who condemned everything Roman.

McLaughlin shows how we accept or reject substances through a slew of fascinating instances. Dirt is required reading for everyone interested in how we shape our environment.

Author: Terence McLaughlin

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Social-History-Through-Abuses-ebook/dp/B09NN6WSG6/

Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars (from 171 reviews)

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