Privies and Water Closets (Shire Library)

This is a small book and I get the sense that it's an abridged version garnered from a much larger book. That said, it provides interesting information about early WC's of the period (essentially Georgian and Victorian era). It was interesting to note that most privies were actually outhouses; the rich folks kept using a chamber pot, which their servants then emptied. I loved the inclusion of photos of actual privies and noted with interest the reason why, if you travel in certain countries today, you see toilets minus a seat. The early ones originally came this way. The mechanics of how some of them worked was a little unclear and I would like to see more included on such things as baths (think Roman baths) and early plumbing (the Medici's and Martelli's had it in Firenze). I hope for another book or chapter on the bathtub!

I wanted to understand how people from the Georgian period forward attended to "nature's call". This book gave quite a bit of information on that in the 1st half. The 2nd half was more about the further methods tried and was more for a person of a mechanical or engineering sort of mind. It wasn't a fun book to read but I HAD to know how people really took care of their physical needs during a time when the typical Jane Austen reader or anyone interested in that time period is most interested. I was sure it wasn't all teas and silk dresses and fare-thee-wells but that there'd have to be the problem of socially and sanitarily dealing with human refuse.

Who would have thought that privy trivia could be so entertaining? I have given this book as a gift twice and both people were happily surprised at the history behind (pun not intended) this irreplaceable device that is taken for granted.

If you have ever wondered what history lies behind your toilet pan, get this book. It is a good introduction to the development of privies, a subject which does not normally gain much attention. My only criticism - which applies other books in the Shire series - is that the print is on the small side.

If like me you are fascinated by the history of privies and water closets. This is a good little book.

I bought this little book for my youngest son who is into toilet humour and this appears to be just the job.

excellent in every respect