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  • Flush It Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time by Rob Flowers book cover
  • Flush It Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time by Rob Flowers book cover
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Flush It Down: The Story of Sewers Through Time

by Rob Flowers

A history of what flows beneath the streets

$18.74 USD
$31.24 USD $18.74 USD
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AlbakiReads Editorial

A history of what flows beneath the streets

From Rome’s Cloaca Maxima to Joseph Bazalgette’s London sewer system, this illustrated history traces how societies have handled human waste across the centuries. Its subject brings together engineering, everyday life, and public sanitation, with the messy realities of medieval streets alongside the development of underground pipes and tunnels. The book also raises questions about human waste and the challenges of dealing with it today, linking its historical survey to biology and natural sciences. Rob Flowers’s illustrations, weird tales, and facts keep the focus on a subject that is rarely treated as ordinary history.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children aged 9–12 interested in unusual subjects and historical facts
  • Readers curious about engineering, sanitation, or how cities manage waste
  • Useful for young readers exploring biology and natural sciences topics

Themes

Sewer and sanitation historyUrban engineeringHuman waste and societyBiology and natural sciences

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Hold your nose and dive into the smelly but surprisingly fascinating world of sewers!

From the mighty Cloaca Maxima of Ancient Rome to the revolting, waste-filled streets of the Middle Ages, and on to the ingenious pipes and tunnels of Joseph Bazalgette's Great London Sewer, this book uncovers the gross--and great--history of how humans have dealt with their dirty business.

With bright, hilarious, detail-packed illustrations by Rob Flowers, Flush It Down is packed with fun facts, weird tales, and thought-provoking discussions around the problems of human waste and how we can deal with the challenges facing us today. It's a wild, wacky ride through the underground--no rubber boots required!--and an engaging tie-in to biology and natural sciences curriculums.

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In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

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Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.