Plastic built the modern world. Where would we be without bike helmets, baggies, toothbrushes, and pacemakers? But a century into our love affair ...
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Sep 19, 2011
Care
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Rarely is there a book which says five stars right from the beginning and never veers from that ranking. This book from Susan Freinkel is absolutely such a work. It is first rate popular science, brimming with copious research but never stooping to that great folly of many non-fiction writers: “I researched this subject to death and by golly every detail is going to be shoe-horned in somewhere!” Quite on the contrary, facts flow seamlessly through an easy-going chronicle of the topic.
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Jul 27, 2011
Michael
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In reading the first couple chapters I quickly became suspicious that this was more “love story” than “toxic”; a manifesto about all that’s amazing with the miracle product that, regardless of what that Hoffman character thought, “improved on nature.” As it turns out, this was a good setup for a more investigative look into plastics as amazing, complex, hazardous, inexpensive (initial costs), expensive (life cycle ramifications), blah, ubiquitous, and all those other adjectives.
Frein More...
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Jun 16, 2011
Birgit
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Have you ever tried to go a day without touching anything that's made out of plastic? Susan Freinkel wanted to do just that, but was soon confronted with the fact that there is no way she could avoid plastic in everyday life. From your toothbrush to the dashboard of your car, from the pen you're holding to shrinkwrapped lettuce at the supermarket. Plastic is everywhere.
Plastic: A Toxic Love Story presents not only the history of plastic, but also the economic and environmental impact this i More...
Plastic: A Toxic Love Story presents not only the history of plastic, but also the economic and environmental impact this i More...
Apr 17, 2011
Norma
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This book follows the “life” story of several different common plastic items. Through these various stories, you get to see how plastic was invented, how they came up with ideas for some of the plastic items, the impact plastic is having on the planet, and the impact plastic is having on our bodies.
One of the things that I really liked about this book was that it wasn’t the type of book where they shove their beliefs down your throat. Instead, Susan Freinkel treats the reader as an int More...
One of the things that I really liked about this book was that it wasn’t the type of book where they shove their beliefs down your throat. Instead, Susan Freinkel treats the reader as an int More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Dhitri
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An absolute eye opener. As someone who calls herself eco-conscious, I am already aware of the dangers bit and pieces of plastic pose to our health and environment. But I must say I have been oblivious to the history and the science of plastic, and I also refused to think about plastic as a material upon which so much of mankind's modern convenience and, to some extent, survival depends. And to me, plastic is plastic, it is an evil embodiment that we need to strive to banish, starting with the pl
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Jan 20, 2011
Danielle
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I received this book as an e-galley from NetGalley. After reading it I now know more about plastic than I ever thought possible. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I just had no idea how much there was to know about plastic. Freinkel looks at plastic through the lens of ordinary plastic things we encounter each day with each chapter devoted to a specific plastic object:comb, chair, Frisbee, IV bag, disposable lighter, grocery bag, soda bottle, and credit card. Each chapter delves into the spec
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Jan 31, 2012
Vanessa
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overall, the book is well-written and an even-handed presentation of the pros and cons of plastic within a historical and scientific description of their development and evolution...the scope is as diverse as is plastic...IV bags and plastic bags, toxin levels in breast milk, a Texas-sized pile of plastic micro-particles in the ocean, the plastic production and recycling process, credit cards and plastic bottles, etc. so the amount of research and synthesis the book involved is impressive.
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Dec 06, 2011
Mary
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Interesting compilation on the history of plastics as told by the development, in each chapter, of several ubiquitous every-day items (soda bottle, plastic bags, lawn chairs, etc) and the impact on the environment and ways to reduce it (recycling, etc). I never realized how much STUFF I (and the rest of the world) used and threw out each day without even thinking about the impact on the environment (non-biodegradable stuff in landfills and water) and people's health. For example, she details t
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Dec 18, 2011
Chris
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 01, 2011
Ann
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Plastics came into being in the 1940s and quickly expanded to touch nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Frienkel subtitled her book "a toxic love story" because she feels our relationship with plastics is like a love affair gone bad: at first, we were completely infatuated with these miracle materials that could do so many things and last so long, but now we are beginning to see the dark side of our love interest. Plastics are (in many cases) based on resources that have taken thou
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Mar 17, 2011
Amy L.
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Note: Free review copy provided by Netgalley.
Freinkel does an excellent job of compressing the problems and promises of plastics into a book far more readily digestible than plastic compounds will ever be. The voice of the book changes from chapter to chapter as we are first presented with the inception and introduction of plastic into our society. The chapter about combs reads remarkably like Bill Bryson's "At Home", without quite so much wandering from the original topic. More...
Freinkel does an excellent job of compressing the problems and promises of plastics into a book far more readily digestible than plastic compounds will ever be. The voice of the book changes from chapter to chapter as we are first presented with the inception and introduction of plastic into our society. The chapter about combs reads remarkably like Bill Bryson's "At Home", without quite so much wandering from the original topic. More...
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May 31, 2011
Jenny
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It took me a while to read this but it was very good. The author does a great job of explaining the science involved in the making, recycling, and degrading of plastics. I really enjoyed that though it is very clear about all of the awful things that are happening because of our plastic consumption, I never felt like the book was heavyhandedly telling me to never use plastic ever again. It’s an extremely realistic look at what the pluses and minuses are for using plastic.
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Jun 01, 2011
Miz Lizzie
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Though not an anti-plastic manifesto, the book certainly gives food for thought, particularly with regards to the proliferation of plastics, how they are tied in with a lifestyle of consummation, and how they have infiltrated not only every aspect of our lives but our very bodies and the planet. The history of plastics is examined through the life and times of seven common items: comb, chair, lighter, shopping bag, IV bag, water bottle, and frisbee. Read the book and if all that plastic freaks
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May 18, 2011
Lisa
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Fantastic book; I would give it a 5-star rating, except I save that for works that absolutely blow me away. I learned so much about plastic, as well as recent economic, political and cultural history mostly in the U.S. but not entirely. The book is incredibly well researched and Freinkel's writing is clear and engaging. I found myself rethinking so much of what I felt sure about previously, and in the end feel more informed and better able to make good personal and political/social/voting boo
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Jan 13, 2012
Talia
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This book is an excellent introduction to the history and life cycle of plastic. It provides a broad overview of our thoroughly modern counterpart plastic in many of its most commonly encountered forms. I chose this book after participating in a marine debris cleanup effort and feel that it provides a good baseline set of facts to help guide my further inquiries about plastics and the waste stream.
The author uses an interesting method of focusing on one plastic item per chapter to More...
The author uses an interesting method of focusing on one plastic item per chapter to More...
Jun 19, 2011
Siobhan
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Great overview of the different types of plastics we use in our every day lives and backgrounds. I liked this one in particular because it isn't as alarmist as some of the literature out there is, and think it would be more appealing to the average person than other works (not that we shouldn't be alarmed when it comes to things like BPA or foreign factory working conditions, but Plastic: A Toxic Love Story is a good stepping stone into the controversy.)
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Aug 24, 2011
Amy
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This book was fascinating. I had no idea how many different types of plastic there were, how they are made, how they were invented, or how they have been used and reused over the decades. The author did an incredible amount of research, and, I felt, gave a balanced approach to what could have been an agenda-riddled topic. As it is, I feel like I have been better educated about plastic and many of the various issues surrounding it. I have already changed a few of my habits, and will be doing more
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Nov 17, 2011
Peggie
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If you've thought about stepping up your household recycling efforts - read this book. If you've ever wondered how plastic became so ubiquitous in today's world - read this book. If you think biodegradable plastic is the answer - read this book. Did you ever wonder when we became a throw-a-way society - read this book.
The author begins the book with a challenge to go one whole day without touching plastic. When she gets up and goes into the bathroom, the foolishness of this idea More...
The author begins the book with a challenge to go one whole day without touching plastic. When she gets up and goes into the bathroom, the foolishness of this idea More...
May 24, 2011
Loree
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Aside from an irresistible design and the most perfect book title-and-subtitle combination ever, I found this an immensely readable and informative book on a subject we all need to pay more attention to. Plastic has changed our lives, for better or for worse. But did you know that it is also changing our bodies? And our planet? I guarantee that some of what Ms. Frankel shares in this book will change the way you consume anything, especially plastic.
Jan 12, 2012
Anna
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This book opened my eyes to how plasticized our world is, and made me feel very uneasy about the 'throw-away' culture that we live in. While I didn't find it to be a page-turner of a book, it was still very interesting, and a nice blend of fact and anecdote. While reading, I have made all sorts of resolutions about shopping at Binn Inn, using my cloth shopping bags and buying products that will stand the test of time...
Dec 29, 2011
Martin
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What an utterly interesting book, subdivided interestingly as well: by noteworthy plastic product, ordered by progressive toxicity to Earth and life. The research is phenomenal and I learned something new, different and thought-provoking in every chapter. While reading, I discovered more material to read on the subject. I'll get after those. Plastic Beach looks interesting. The Pacific Garbage Patch is something I need to see with my own eyes. It's on the Bucket List.
Oct 03, 2011
Melody
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Well-written, easily understandable pop-sci take on our plastic lives. I learned some things, was graphically reminded of others, and renewed my acquaintance with the cleverly named but disastrous nurdle.
Freinkel gives us a snapshot of the current state of plastic use, reuse and toxicity. Well worth reading, but I suspect it's a book that's going to need to be rewritten every couple of years as things change.
Freinkel gives us a snapshot of the current state of plastic use, reuse and toxicity. Well worth reading, but I suspect it's a book that's going to need to be rewritten every couple of years as things change.
Jul 02, 2011
Meg
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This book was really good. Takes you through the history of plastics, from the heady early days of "OMG we can make this amazing stuff which will revolutionize our lives and make things accessible to people!" to the current state of "Oh s*$%&, this stuff is PERMANENT." I thought at first her choice to tell the story through eight different objects seemed gimmicky, but it really turned it out to be a great way to explore the diverse types of plastic and the role plastic plays
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May 26, 2011
Catherine
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Interesting history of our evolving (and out of control use) of plastics. I'd read about the toxic effects before in "Our Stolen Future" how many of the chemicals used in plastics are detrimentally affecting our endocrine systems and therefore especially our offspring. It's an evolving problem and one little acknowledged in the population at large.
Jun 09, 2011
Sarah
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This book was very interesting and informative, has definitely changed the way I perceive material use, not just plastics. I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 only because sometimes I found myself wanting Freinkel to make her point(s) sooner. While all the information she presented was interesting, some of the sections just felt a little too drawn out. But again, all useful and thought provoking information that will leave you asking yourself "What now?" So...what now?
Jul 11, 2011
Steve
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Definitely not an "everything plastic is bad" or "plastic: making life better at every turn" work, this book is an important look at the benefits and drawbacks of the different plastics in our lives. Drags a little at times, but overall an informative and thought-provoking read.
Jun 01, 2011
Ruth
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Very interesting to learn how we came in just a few short years from the invention of plastic to now using it in every phase of our life. Now it is hard to avoid. I feel guilty every time I use a T-shirt bag now, so I try to carry a fabric bag whenever I shop. Very well researched.
Oct 02, 2011
Angela
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Genius organization and excellent, readable writing style. I learned a lot from the book, and it was mostly fascinating. Enjoyed the section on chair design as much as anything. But also learning more about where our recycling goes, and what becomes of it.
May 17, 2011
Marilyn
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This is another one of those books that examines one subject from many angles. This one had interesting parts---and some parts that were a little too lecture-y for me. But now I know a lot more about plastics. I guess that's good.
Jan 22, 2012
Steven
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A fascinating and balanced look at how plastic impacts our lives. In addition to the toxicity and negatives associated with it, the author also discusses some of the positive uses of plastic and how we need it as well.
