Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret (The Studs and Ida Terkel Award)

Looking for a gripping and eye-opening read? Look no further than "Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret." This compelling memoir by Catherine Coleman Flowers, a renowned environmental justice activist and recipient of the prestigious MacArthur grant, sheds light on one of America's most overlooked issues: basic sanitation. With a powerful and moving narrative, Flowers takes us on a journey through the struggles faced by communities that lack the means to dispose of waste properly, forcing them to live in unsanitary conditions. From Lowndes County, Alabama, to Native American reservations in the West, this book unveils the harsh reality of systemic prejudice and the urgent need for change.

Ranked as one of the Top Ten Best Science Books of 2020 by Smithsonian Magazine, "Waste" serves as a wake-up call. It exposes the class, racial, and geographic inequalities that plague not only Alabama but also regions across America. The gripping accounts of Appalachia, Central California, coastal Florida, Alaska, and the urban Midwest demonstrate how sanitation has become a pressing issue affecting communities nationwide. As climate change intensifies, sewage-related problems are no longer confined to poor minorities but are spreading to more and more backyards.

With its thought-provoking content, "Waste" urges us to confront America’s dirty secret and take action. Catherine Coleman Flowers' memoir not only raises awareness about the dire consequences of inadequate sanitation but also inspires readers to become part of the solution. This book is a testament to the power of individuals to drive change and fight for a cleaner and more equal future. Are you ready to join the movement?

To get your hands on this groundbreaking memoir and be enlightened by Catherine Coleman Flowers' extraordinary journey, click here.