Chasing Dirt: The American Pursuit of Cleanliness

Rating:
Summary: A must own for the public health professional.
Review: "Chasing Dirt" tells the story of cleanliness (and the lack thereof) in America in an engaging, charming, way. Hoy vividly describes the the day to day battle against filth and dirt, and how for immigrants, becoming clean was part of becoming American. A must own for the public health professional.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating stuff.
Review: A surpringly interesting account of the history of cleanliness in the U.S. From the early 18th century when 'good clean dirt' was considered the sign of a healthy working man, through the 20th century when 'sanitary' became the key, we read about a little known aspect of social history.

Another review suggests that this is essential reading for the public health professional. It is not, however, an academic text, but a book of interest to anyone who likes to learn about REAL history -- not just battles and presidents, but how real people lived.