{"product_id":"dirt-a-social-history-as-seen-through-the-uses-and-abuses-of-dirt-9781635619454","title":"Dirt: A Social History as Seen Through the Uses and Abuses of Dirt","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelve Into the Fascinating World of Dirt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirt is a matter of opinion, according to public health and hygiene authority Terence McLaughlin. In this engaging, thoroughly-researched, and often humorous study of the \"imperfections\" of human existence and our relationship to them, McClaughlin dissects human attitudes about the slime, mud, stench and filth which has accompanied society through history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur notion of cleanliness has a marked cultural aspect. For instance, McLaughlin cites Old Testament examples of cleanliness which, unbeknownst at the time, helped protect observant followers from the plague. The famous baths of ancient Rome were seen as progress for personal hygiene, and later scorned by Christians who rejected all things Roman. McLaughlin recites a long litany of examples of how we accept or reject substances, exploring why we dislike sensations such as stickiness and sliminess. Cultural attitudes about everything from factory smoke to personal hygiene are constantly shifting with the economic and political exigencies of the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this age of pandemic viruses, there has never been a more important time to observe how people think about the possible contaminants around us. \u003cem\u003eDirt \u003c\/em\u003eis a key resource for anyone wishing to understand humanity's role in shaping our environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis title is also available from Echo Point Books in paperback, ISBN 1635619467.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Terence McLaughlin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Echo Point Books \u0026amp; Media\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/17\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 194\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.87lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.56d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781635619454","brand":"Echo Point Books \u0026 Media","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43311374139529,"sku":"9781635619454","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9240\/6921\/files\/img_4f75fb9a-5a75-4f2f-9c68-24fb6feede2f.jpg?v=1738054759","url":"https:\/\/sonsanddaughtersbooks.com\/products\/dirt-a-social-history-as-seen-through-the-uses-and-abuses-of-dirt-9781635619454","provider":"Sons and Daughters Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}