Skip to content

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters Hardcover - 2008

by George, Rose


From the publisher

An utterly original exploration of the world of human waste that will surprise, outrage--and entertain

Produced behind closed doors, disposed of discreetly, and hidden by euphemism, bodily waste is something common to all and as natural as breathing, yet we prefer not to talk about it. But we should--even those of us who take care of our business in pristine, sanitary conditions. For it's not only in developing countries that human waste is a major public health threat: population growth is taxing even the most advanced sewage systems, and the disease spread by waste kills more people worldwide every year than any other single cause of death. Even in America, 1.95 million people have no access to an indoor toilet. Yet the subject remains unmentionable.

"The Big Necessity "takes aim at the taboo, revealing everything that matters about how people do--and don't--deal with their own waste. Moving from the deep underground sewers of Paris, London, and New York--an infrastructure disaster waiting to happen--to an Indian slum where ten toilets are shared by 60,000 people, Rose George stops along the way to explore the potential saviors: China's five million biogas digesters, which produce energy from waste; the heroes of third world sanitation movements; the inventor of the humble Car Loo; and the U.S. Army's personal lasers used by soldiers to zap their feces in the field.

With razor-sharp wit and crusading urgency, mixing levity with gravity, Rose George has turned the subject we like to avoid into a cause with the most serious of consequences.

Details

  • Title The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
  • Author George, Rose
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 288
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Metropolitan Books, New York
  • Date 2008-10
  • ISBN 9780805082715

About the author

Rose George is a freelance writer and journalist who regularly contributes to "Slate," "The Guardian," "The Independent," and the "Financial Times." She lives in London.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Big Necessity, The: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Big Necessity, The: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - vg+
Edition
1st
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.50
$5.50 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
NY : Macmillan. 1st. 2008. vg+. Hardcover. ISBN:9780805082715 302 pages; b/w photos; contents clean; binding solid; light shelf wear to dj .
Item Price
$5.50
$5.50 shipping to USA
The Big Necessity : The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity : The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity : The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity : The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Metropolitan Books, 2008. Hardcover. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Metropolitan Books, 2008. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Metropolitan Books, 2008. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Metropolitan Books, 2008. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.98
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
Book Club (BCE/BOMC)
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$11.56
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Brand: Metropolitan Books, 2008-10-14. Book Club (BCE/BOMC). hardcover. Used: Good.
Item Price
$11.56
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good+
Edition
American First
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$15.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York, NY: Metropolitan Books, 2008. Book. Very Good+. Hardcover. American First. Complete number line from 1 to 10; minor wear; otherwise a solid, clean copy with no marking or underlining; collectible condition; illustrated with a few black and white photographs..
Item Price
$15.00
FREE shipping to USA
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters George, Rose
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters George, Rose

by George, Rose

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082715 / 0805082719
Quantity Available
1
Seller
worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$16.00
$2.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Metropolitan Books, 2008-10-14. hardcover. Very Good. 6x1x9. clean well kept hardcover copy with dust jacket, price tag uncut no markings, stickers or stains. fast shipping with tracking number.
Item Price
$16.00
$2.00 shipping to USA