Synopsis
"Flushed: How the Plumber Saved Civilization" by W. Hodding Carter is a witty, anecdotal, and thoroughly entertaining exploration of the history and significance of plumbing, blending historical narrative with the author’s personal experiences. The book begins with Carter’s fascination with the Toto Washlet S300, a high-tech Japanese toilet seat that doubles as a bidet, which sets the tone for his journey into the world of plumbing. He argues that plumbers, whom he dubs the "unsung heroes of human history" with playful titles like "Brain of Drains" and "Hub of Tubs," have played a critical role in shaping civilization by providing the infrastructure for clean water and waste removal—amenities often taken for granted but essential to human well-being. Carter’s narrative is driven by a mix of curiosity and humor, sparked by a plumbing issue in his own home, which leads him to investigate how this underappreciated technology has evolved over millennia and across cultures.
The historical journey starts with ancient civilizations, such as the Harappans of 3000 B.C., who developed early sanitation systems, and moves to the Romans, whose engineering prowess with lead pipes and aqueducts Carter admires so much that he attempts to cast his own Roman-style pipes, inspired by Pliny the Elder. He delves into the sophistication of Roman baths and the extensive water systems that supported their cities, contrasting this with the decline in sanitation during the Middle Ages, which he humorously attributes to Christian attitudes toward bodily functions. The narrative then traces the rebirth of plumbing innovation, including the development of the modern flush toilet, with Carter debunking myths (like the exaggerated role of Thomas Crapper) while celebrating figures like Joseph Bazalgette, whose sewer system transformed London from a cholera-ridden cesspool into a modern metropolis. Along the way, Carter sprinkles in cultural tidbits, such as Rabelais’s musings on wiping techniques and the Japanese children’s book "Everyone Poops," to highlight humanity’s universal yet often taboo relationship with waste.
Carter’s personal adventures add a lively dimension to the book. He descends into the sewers of London with a flashlight, marveling at their Victorian engineering, and visits a waste treatment facility at Boston Harbor to understand contemporary sewage management. His trip to India introduces readers to Sulabh International, an organization tackling sanitation and social issues, while his installation of the luxurious "Jasmin" (his nickname for the Toto Washlet) in his Maine home becomes a comedic subplot, complete with interviews conducted from the throne. He also spends time with modern plumbers, like his friend George, exploring their trade and emphasizing their vital role in society—imagining them as "knights in droopy jeans" in a post-apocalyptic world where water access would be paramount. These firsthand experiences are interwoven with technical explanations of plumbing systems, from ancient qanats to microbial fuel cells, though Carter keeps the tone light and accessible, avoiding dry textbook territory.
The book concludes with a call to appreciate plumbers and rethink our approach to waste, envisioning a future where sanitation is both sustainable and stigma-free. Carter’s self-deprecating humor shines through as he reflects on his obsession with the subject, acknowledging that his zeal might unsettle those around him, yet he remains unapologetic. While the prologue and epilogue drag for some readers, the core chapters offer a seamless blend of history, science, and storytelling. "Flushed" is not just a chronicle of pipes and toilets; it’s a tribute to the ingenuity that has allowed humans to thrive in dense urban settings, delivered with enough charm and absurdity to make readers laugh out loud—perhaps even while sitting in their own "reading room." Through this romp across time and toilets, Carter successfully elevates plumbing from a mundane necessity to a cornerstone of civilization worth celebrating.