Journalist Ted Botha became obsessed with mongo (defined as any discarded object that is retrieved) when he moved to New York. Decorating his apart...
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reviews
Dec 05, 2008
Judy
rated it: 
I found this to be a very interesting read. The author covers all the different types of dumpster divers that exist and what they collect and why. It shed a lot of light on a subject I didn't know much about. The stories are well written, and engaging, and many of them take place near the area where I work in Manhattan, which I found interesting. After reading this book, I stopped to talk to this guy who always has a shopping cart full of scrap metal near my office building and I asked him where
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Jul 23, 2010
Felicia
rated it: 
My return to the daytime world sparked a revival of interest in, well, living well, I guess. After my past few years of circus hedonism, I want to sleep -- a lot -- and play outdoors. I want local fruits, nuts and vegis to be staples, replacing my standard diet of bread, wine and cheese. I want to use what I've got or recycle junk instead of buying new.
The ARC of "Mongo: Adventures in Trash" has been hanging out on my bookshelf for the past six years. The author tells More...
The ARC of "Mongo: Adventures in Trash" has been hanging out on my bookshelf for the past six years. The author tells More...
Apr 05, 2010
Lee Anne
rated it: 
Or: People Who Collect Trash and the Reasons They Do So.
An interesting social history, in which Botha tags along with the various people who root through the garbage of New York City and collect whatever special item they fancy. Whether it be WTO-protestor types who scavenge food outside restaurants, immigrants who earn their living collecting and selling insane amounts of cans, book dealers trolling the Upper East and West side, restoration experts culling mahogany doors from dum More...
An interesting social history, in which Botha tags along with the various people who root through the garbage of New York City and collect whatever special item they fancy. Whether it be WTO-protestor types who scavenge food outside restaurants, immigrants who earn their living collecting and selling insane amounts of cans, book dealers trolling the Upper East and West side, restoration experts culling mahogany doors from dum More...
Nov 21, 2008
Valerie
rated it:
MONGO: Adventures in Trash by Ted Botha
In carefully-researched digs at old brownstone privies, amateur archeologists find a porcelain doll, antique medicine bottles and ivory buttons; going down an alley on the upper east side, hunters in minivans pick up a matched set of old chairs and some paintings; another ambitious hunter brings a crane and “rescues” stone columns and architectural features from buildings that are being razed. The hunters are out for New York mongo, and New York More...
In carefully-researched digs at old brownstone privies, amateur archeologists find a porcelain doll, antique medicine bottles and ivory buttons; going down an alley on the upper east side, hunters in minivans pick up a matched set of old chairs and some paintings; another ambitious hunter brings a crane and “rescues” stone columns and architectural features from buildings that are being razed. The hunters are out for New York mongo, and New York More...
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Feb 09, 2008
Julia
rated it:
In decorating his first New York apartment from scratch, author Botha offers words to live by in New York regarding furniture acquisition: "The streets will provide." Combine that sentiment with the more astute general observation that "great wealth makes great garbage", and you have the premise of the whole book.
Botha initiates you into the day-to-day life and motivation for various strata (yes - a hierarchy exists even in trash collecting) of 'mongo' hunters. More...
Botha initiates you into the day-to-day life and motivation for various strata (yes - a hierarchy exists even in trash collecting) of 'mongo' hunters. More...
Apr 07, 2010
Brendan
rated it:
I read this a few years ago. It's informative, unique, fascinating. It's certainly not anything like what I usually read. And yet - looking around my apartment I see a lot of furniture that was discarded by other people. So I guess I feel a connection to this book, even though I've never lived in NYC or rummaged through garbage cans.
Sep 04, 2009
Tuck
rated it:
this is a great "natural history" of mongo, stuff that gets recycled, or the recycler. written by a south african, but most all takes place on the streets of new york. from art restorers to canners (dudes who dig through the garbage for aluminum cans). so if you like digging through the dumpsters, take some time off and read this.
Nov 17, 2011
Glynn
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a fascinating look at people collecting (or finding) stuff. lots of insight on the human tendencies to collect, gather, appreciate, etc. i was absolutely amazed!
Jul 21, 2008
Emily
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This book chronicles "collectors" in New York City, collectors of trash, that is. The author profiles the different kinds of collectors in NYC - from the "can men" who collect aluminum cans for survival to the preservationists who collect pieces of the City's architectural history. It's a pretty fascinating look at what people actually throw away. Anyone who can't bear to see things thrown away or who has picked something out of the dumpster should read this book. If you have
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Mar 03, 2011
John
rated it: 
A few of the entries would have made terrific magazine articles, while others were a stretch to include (filler?). Not particularly recommended.
Dec 17, 2009
Jill
rated it:
I read this book about the same time I read The Art and Science of Dumpster Diving. I guess I tend to get on a topic, and keep reading, until I come up with another weird topic to pursue. This book chronicles the enterprising scavengers who find treasure in trash in New York City. From antique dealers, to soda can collecters, from anarchists to book sellers to the homeless, there is a wide range of people who make all or part of their living off the discards of NYC. An unusual, but really in
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Mar 15, 2008
Kirsten
rated it:
A witty, inspiring look into the habits of folks who collect trash and comb through refuse. Some people do it for fun, some for profit, some for food, some to create art. This is a slim book, but one rarely feels that Botha isn't giving his subjects their due. It's a fun fast read and it'll have you checking the trash for treasures on your way home from work.
Mar 20, 2008
Jon
rated it:
An intersting look at the different strata of dumpster divers in and around Manahattan. It was layed out well and provided a glimpse into a lifestyle that is as foreign to me as living in China. Unfortunately, the ending was pretty weak; the author tried to make some sappy 9/11 connection. It should really only be 2.8 stars at most.
Mar 14, 2010
Erin
rated it:
Interesting look at "trash" collectors of various sorts (from homeless people who collect cans for cash to those who search for architectural treasures). Limited to NYC, for what that's worth, but there are so many different types of collectors, it would have been difficult for Botha to have expanded much.
Apr 23, 2011
Momatella
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This book was so amazing. I can't find words to describe why, except to say that in NYC "Mongo" is a street word for finding and using things other people have gotten rid of as unwanted. A combination between the archeology of trash, Antiques Roadshow, and Watts Towers. Absolutely fascinating!
Mar 21, 2008
Delia
rated it:
I love trash! If anyone is ready to squat a warehouse, buy a truck and troll the streets of NYC let me know. I am in. It is fun and tragic to read about the desperate search to salvage a tiny bit of our vast trashed wealth.
Nov 23, 2007
Robin
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A entire book about trash. It was fascinating to see different views on trash and people who collect it.
Feb 19, 2008
Slynne
rated it:
Very interesting look at dumpster diving and various kinds of collecting in/around the NYC area.
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