Clean and Decent

by Lawrence Wright

Clean and Decent is a comprehensive and insightful book written by Lawrence Wright, which explores the history of the American pornography industry from the 1940s to the 1970s. The book examines the social, cultural, and political factors that shaped the industry and its impact on American society.Wright provides a detailed analysis of the various genres of pornography, including pin-up magazines, stag films, and underground pornography, and how they evolved over time. He also delves into the legal battles and censorship controversies that surrounded the industry, and the role of feminists and religious groups in shaping public perception of pornography.Throughout the book, Wright presents a nuanced and balanced view of the industry, examining both its positive and negative effects on society. He argues that while pornography can be exploitative and harmful, it can also serve as a form of sexual expression and liberation for some individuals.Clean and Decent is a well-researched and engaging read that provides a fascinating insight into the history of American pornography and its impact on society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of sexuality, media, and culture in America.The Fascinating History Of The Bathroom And The Water Closet And Of Sundry Habits, Fashions And Accessories Of The Toilet, Principally In Great Britain, France And America.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Microhistory, Science

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Nigel Ewan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In-depth discussion of baths, bathrooms, and bathroom fixtures throughout history. The author's witty, sparkling style is a delight.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have really taken for granted the development of bathroom fixtures and plumbing! Many, many people have tinkered and toiled with baths, basins, and toilets over hundreds of years, to make them the models of efficiency and cleanliness (generally speaking of course), that we have come to expect in the industrialized world today. I never appreciated the number of styles of bath that had been developed, advertised and generally used as a medicinal cure rather than a pleasurable cleansing that we are accustomed to. This book was written as a follow up of a display that the author had developed on the History of the Bathroom, and as such, it reads much like a brief catalogue of items in some regard. There are moments of humour, and many of the vignettes of toilet and bathing trivia, leave you wishing for just a bit more detail.

[Susan Chapek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I write historicals, and this book was a happy discovery back before the intertubes made research easier. The used 1960 hardcover edition (previous owner lived--suitably--in Bath, UK) holds a place of honor on my general research shelf, and I even enjoy browsing it on occasion. I bought it on AbeBooks, and then they turned around and insulted my taste recently by adding the title to their Weird Book Room page.

[Jerry Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Always interesting to read books written in the 60s as they seem so much less engaging that modern prose. This book discusses the development of washing essentially. Many intereting facts but overall I found it too disjointed and unable to decide on its structure. It is semi-chronological but jumps between bathrooms, plumbing, toilets and then back again.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely ghastly - very disappointing - hated it - just a load of snobby drivel - I wanted the author to fall down a toilet - a word he hates - cause he is one of those dreadful old school pretentious gits. Wouldn't mind if it was in any way amusing or informative - it is not - it is horribly dated in content, presentation and prose - surely in the sixty odd years since this was first published a better book has come out about the history of loos? Actually now that I think of it a wonderfully eccentric woman - Lucinda Lambton - wrote a book called 'Temples of Convenience' - not a history - but wonderful pictures - just so much better then this tosch.

[Just Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and informative book, funny at many points, but sadly absent of any bathroom history from non Western cultures! Occasional references to the 'surprising' cleanliness of remote tribes in comparison to the civilized Europeans are the most diverse mentions you'll get. Perhaps a newer version could catch up on all the crazy wonderful toilets coming out of Japan? or the 2020 selling-out of bidets as people began to work from home in COVID.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable look at the history of bathrooms, toilets, plumbing, drainage and hygiene.

It can be difficult to follow the structure of this book, as it does tend to jump around in time and space - I would love to read a revised version! However the information is indeed fascinating, the writing sufficiently engaging and overall a worthwhile addition to my bookshelf.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whole new way to appreciate history! This book answers questions you may never have thought to ask.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

All the illustrations are redrawings, and the book is slightly dated, but the information is good, and I remember there being a decent bibliography.