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Title: Bedbugs and Chamberpots

Subtitle: A History of Human Hygiene

Author: Elizabeth Poynter

Narrator: Elizabeth Poynter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-10-16

Publisher: Elizabeth Poynter

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

When you watch those stunning TV period dramas, do you ever wonder about the bits they don't show - where did the hero go for a "comfort break"? How did the beautiful heroine clean her pearly-white teeth? How often did they take a bath, and what did they use for soap? This book tries to answer these questions and many more. While not written primarily for laughs, it takes a light-hearted look at aspects of human hygiene down the ages, and in a range of cultures across the world, including the author's personal experiences in countries as diverse as Japan and Iceland. The perfect book to listen to in the little boys' (or girls') room! Narrated here by the author.

Members Reviews:

Fun read with only a few editing problems that actually ...

This book was rather charming little book on the questions you never think to ask about the past, but it is also rather idiosyncratic as the whims of the author, her travels, and acquaintances fill in a lot of her material. There are references after each chapter but this is still not very academic or systematic look at these things. Fun read with only a few editing problems that actually disrupted reading ease.

This is a great read! It is both amusing and informative

This is a great read! It is both amusing and informative. Ms Poynter covers a vast range of âhuman hygieneâ subjects; from toilets in 20th century Japan (how to turn a âsquatterâ into a âsitterâ) to Pharaoh Rameses (famous as much for his blackheads as for his 170 children) and from Incan irrigation to modern hydroelectric dams. This could be considered to be an academic book (it is certainly extensively researched) but could almost be considered to be a travelogue â the number of countries where the author has âbeen to the Ladiesâ is astounding. The whole thing is presented with a light touch which makes it easy and fun to read even if some of the points raised (for example the hint of possible upcoming âwater warsâ â with nations and/or neighbours fighting over this precious resource) warrant serious reflection by any reader.

Xenophobia and bad research.

If what you are looking for is "A Series of Anecdotes About How These People's Toilets Are Different From The Ones I Grew Up With", you might enjoy this.

If the author is describing a culture other than Britain's , it's a solid bet that the word "primitive " will be used on average of once a paragraph. "Unhygienic" is another author favorite. I only got 20% of the way through before giving up. It's tediously racist, shallowly researched, and the paragraph by paragraph repetition of the same two words ruins the only thing the author has going for them, which is an easily conversational narrative voice.

and passed it around my friends who all loved it as well

I am sorry Ms Poynter, but you lost a customer here, actually a few, I borrowed it from my Mom, and passed it around my friends who all loved it as well. I loved your easy style and gentle reminiscing. You made the information accessable and not a "hard read" for normal people. It never promised to be academic, but it was more than enough to entertain, amuse and learn from. I confess I have a weakness for British authors, my problem, not yours.