The Great Stink

'An extraordinary history' PETER ACKROYD, The Times 'A lively account of (Bazalgette's) magnificent achievements. . . graphically illustrated' HERMIONE HOBHOUSE 'Halliday is good on sanitary engineering and even better on cloaca, crud and putrefaction . . . (he) writes with the relish of one who savours his subject and has deeply researched it. . . splendidly illustrated' RUTH RENDELL In the sweltering summer of 1858, sewage generated by over two million Londoners was pouring into the Thames, producing a stink so offensive that it drove Members of Parliament from the chamber of the House of Commons. The Times called the crisis 'The Great Stink'. Parliament had to act – drastic measures were required to clean the Thames and to improve London's primitive system of sanitation. The great engineer entrusted with this enormous task was Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who rose to the challenge and built the system of intercepting sewers, pumping stations and treatment works that serves London to this day. In the process, he cleansed the Thames and helped banish cholera. The Great Stink of London offers a vivid insight into Bazalgette's achievements and the era in which he worked and lived, including his heroic battles with politicians and bureaucrats that would transform the face and health of the world's then largest city.

Ultimately, the attitudes of physicians and the French public were shaped by political struggles between republicans and the clergy, by aggressive efforts to educate and civilizethe peasantry, and by long-term shifts in the public's ability to tolerate the odor of bodily substances.--Donald Reid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "American Historical Review"

With extraordinarily vivid characters and unflinching prose that recall "Year of Wonders" and "The Dress Lodger, The Great Stink" marks the debut of an outstandingly talented writer in the tradition of the best historical novelists.

A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book! Discover the true story about the determined engineer who fixed London’s pollution problem in this funny, accessible nonfiction picture book featuring engaging art from the illustrator of Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine. It’s the summer of 1858, and London’s River Thames STINKS. What is creating this revolting smell? The answer is gross: the river is full of poop. But the smell isn’t the worst problem. Every few years, cholera breaks out, and thousands of people die. Could there be a connection between the foul water and the deadly disease? One engineer dreams of making London a cleaner, healthier place. His name is Joseph Bazalgette. His grand plan to create a new sewer system to clean the river is an engineering marvel. And his sewers will save lives. Nothing stinky about that. With tips for how to prevent pollution today, this fascinating look at science, history, and what one person can do to create change will impress and astound readers who want to help make their planet a cleaner, happier place to live.

"This funny and informative picture book tells the story of Joseph Bazalgette, a 19th century engineer who designed London's first comprehensive sewage system. In doing so, he saved thousands of lives from cholera outbreaks that regularly plagued the city. This STEM-focused story provides a window into the past and shows how one invention went on to affect generations to come-and teaches kids how they can prevent pollution in their own neighborhoods today"--

In this audaciously smelly sequel to The StinkerStanks it is revealed why the Peeeuuu's showed up at the wedding uninvited. They came to take the newly-wed StinkerStanks back home with them to fulfill an indenture or (Obli') left over from Putrescence's grandfather. They become virtual slaves and are forced to go to The Great Stink. This city, London England, was once known as the Great Stink and was a feculent place where sewage was simply dumped out on the streets. Although staying at Peeeuuu's opulent estate, the StinkerStanks aren't free. Rotten is forced to perform the dangerous job of cleaning out basement sewage pits of the wealthy using only a pail and his courage, while Putrescence is forced to work endlessly in the Peeeuuu's kitchen preparing meals. They are made to learn a new language called Gutter Trash talk so they won't be ridiculed by the locals. Along the way to the Great Stink, they encounter Robbie and his peg-leg pet Robin, along with his friend Fat Fryer who together commit one of their first highway robberies in the forest before they eventually become the most famous robbers of English history. MoleHole meets Quillery the hedgehog and Flyspeckus finds out spiders love flies in the forest as much as anywhere else. Poor OL'Gab is heart-broken after being forced to leave his master OL' Man Stinker and pull the wagon. He finds the forest a lonely place and life not worth living until he meets the retired workhorse gang OL' Swayback, OL' Nag, OL' Clodhopper, Ol' Heaves and OL' Cribber and gets to share oats, swap stories and gossip until his lip wants to fall off. After some time, this seems to be life for the StinkerStanks until Rotten discovers a way to make some extra monay by using his Stank talents at a dump on Day Off's and discovers the true meaning of monay's influence and value. A terrible natural disaster allows Rotten to find a way to solve the city's sewage problem and sets them free of their Obli' so they are finally allowed to go home. This book is full of bizarre surprises and unusual characters such as when MoleHole meets Jib the cat that walks sideways and the Bones Abode where not everyone is apparently dead. Flyspeckus meets the first true love of his fly life when he meets Queen Mare the horsefly. Owen Wagg once again weaves fact and fiction into a tale that is wonderful to read and an imaginatively entertaining comedy. Humorous and witty in its fantasy style, this book is sure to keep you spell-bound and laughing at the antics and lives of the books characters as you read on. At the end of this book if there is only one thing you will know, it is that you will wish you took a shower or bath more often. Canadian writer Owen Wagg comes from a long line of storytellers who once all lived in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada but sadly are now all dead, except for him. If you are brave enough to come to this region, you will find him hiding out somewhere behind a mossy rock professionally telling tall tales or writing other books such as The Nears of Afar.