Before you think this’ll be a load of crap (pun intended) it was actually an interesting and insightful read into the history of plumbing. There’s something very British about waterworks being taboo, however it’s the one thing we all have in common! I borrowed this book from a friend at work as her father was intrigued by someone else reading it on the train. In this borrowed copy, I love how he folded down a page where the author wrote a paragraph collating all the euphemisms for using the toilet, “pee, poo, wee-wee, spend a penny etc,” very comical for a serious man!
Which goes to show that it’s a niche book but not a bad read! Carter discuss’ how his fascination (more like an obsession) about plumbing stems from trying to avoid paying for a plumber and thinking, “How hard can it be?”. When, in reality, it is way more intricate and complex than it seems. He appreciates the impact of early civilisations inventing methods for managing their waste, such as the Romans using efficient pipe work that we still use today. He was in awe of the clever engineering that has evolved over centuries. He was so committed to this book, he even took a trip from the USA to London just to take part in a sewer visit and invested in a Japanese toilet.
There was a lot of pages about various materials used for pipework and the science behind it, which reminded me of science lessons I tuned out of! However, it was written in a conversational way and overall easy to follow, with personal anecdotes and relatable comparisons.
Worth a read if you need a wild card!
3/5
Amber Reads something 