This is the PERFECT book to kindle an interest in history in boys. What better way to do so than to talk about dirt and cleanliness? The boys I know quickly read this book. They were awed by the facts they learned and they requested me to find other books in the same vein.

I requested this title because it seemed like something my 10 year old son would enjoy. And he would - most boys will enjoy the use of scatological terms and identify with the ancient concepts of not bathing. As a social studies teacher, I enjoyed the book as well. I found it to be laid out very logically. Ashenburg did a tremendous job of explaining history along with the customs and mores of various periods of history in a way that young readers can enjoy. This book has serves educational purposes along with pure enjoyment.

Fascinating. Clever. Disgusting. Unforgettable. This book really covers it all in a very enjoyable, easy to read format. I learned several things! Beginning with several myths about cleanliness, this book chronicles different beliefs and practices about bathing from ancient times to modern day. It covers several cultural aspects of bathing through history, including sociology, anthropology, archaeology, medical knowledge at the time, and religious theology.

The reading style flows from chapter to chapter with interesting sidebars along the way that add tremendously to the story line. The reading level is appropriate for kids over 3rd or 4th grade, but younger readers would enjoy following along with a more mature reader. The interest level, though, is excellent, all the way through to adults. The illustrations are accurate but not offensive. It was a very enjoyable read.

I gratefully received this book as a free eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

A good resource but not something that is pertinent to my classroom.

Overall: 4.5/5
Cover: 4/5
Content: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Illustrations: 4.5/5

SO COOL! Even though I'm already a 18-year-old teen, I still find this book super amusing and hilarious. Baths and showers are part of our daily routine, not to mention washing our hands for all kinds of occasion and different places several times a day. What's the definition for "clean"? "Clean" is a concept so deeply rooted in our life that we barely think too much about it, but if you open this book, you might find the history of "getting clean" super amusing, and perhaps realize that many other details in our lives are as interesting too.

Really fun book in the spirit of "horrible histories" but with the added benefit of colour pictures and cool design - a little too garish at times but will be well received by the age group for which it's intended.

This was a very interesting and eyeopening book. It had me giggling at parts and very grossed out at others. I can't wait to read it to my 11yr old son who I am sure will love all the gross details of our history with cleanliness. I loved the format of historical writings and anecdotes mixed in with the factual information, which was presented with humor.