Paris Sewers and Sewermen: Realities and Representations [Paperback]

Donald Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0674654633 | ISBN-13: 978-0674654631

The expansion of the Paris sewer system during the Second Empire and Third Republic was both a technological and a political triumph. The sewers themselves were an important cultural phenomenon, and the men who worked in them a source of fascination. Donald Reid shows that observing how such labourers as cesspool cleaners and sewermen present themselves and are represented by others is a way to reflect on the material and cultural foundations of everyday life. The author has been awarded the Dexter Prize of the Society for the History of Technology, and has also been accorded an Honourable Mention by the 1992 Abel Wolman Award Committee of the Public Works Historical Society.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Reid (history, Univ. of North Carolina) literally visualizes "history from the bottom up" in this study. He traces the development of waste disposal in Paris from the days of cesspools and street disposal in the 18th century to the evolution of a comprehensive and efficient sewer system in the late 19th century. He also brings in politics and literature in his analysis, seeing a relationship between the sewers and political rebellion and examining the symbolic role sewers played in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables . Reid recounts the changing status of Paris sewermen from a shunned profession to a respected, "blue collar" occupational status with a livable wage and benefits, and a strong trade union. While interesting, this book has limited appeal, given the narrow scope of the topic and the rather densely written text, in which Reid assumes the reader's familiarity with the French language and the various historical figures. -- Norman Lederer, Stevens State Sch. of Technology, Lancaster, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674654633
• ISBN-13: 978-0674654631
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Symbolism of the Sewer, July 29, 2005

By 

Erika Mitchell (E. Calais, VT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paris Sewers and Sewermen: Realities and Representations (Paperback)

This book is a history of the Paris sewer system, replete with the symbolism entailed by the sewer through the ages. It is divided into 3 parts: the sewers and their development, sewermen, and the sewermen's union. Reid traces the development of the sewer system from the times when waste collected in open pools, through the draining of the pools into the Seine and the eventual laws requiring private buildings to connect to the sewers. From almost the very beginning, the sewers needed workers to clear the sediment away and keep the sewage flowing, and Reid explains how the work of the sewermen, as the laborers in the sewer are called, changed over the course of time. Reid also discusses the sewermen's union and the efforts they made not only to assure the security and well-being of the workers, but also to take care of the workers' family members. The book is illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs and drawings. Sources are referenced through extensive end notes. There is also an index.

For Reid, the history of the sewer is found not only in the tunnels themselves and their dates of construction, but also in literature, particularly Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, and other similar works where the sewer has powerful symbolic meanings. While the book is quite interesting from the point of view of public health and city planning, it can be hard to follow at times for those who are not fluent in French, or not thoroughly familiar with Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century French literature and history. Reid leaves many quotes and key terms untranslated from French, assuming that the reader will be able to understand their meanings precisely. He often dates developments not with specific years, like 1825 or 1840, but by referring to such and such a date of the Second Republic, which is fine for those who have a good grounding in French history, but not always accessible to the general reader. Overall though, the book provides a very interesting perspective on an area of history that is often overlooked.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All I Ever Wanted To Know About Paris Sewers, March 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Paris Sewers and Sewermen: Realities and Representations (Paperback)

It's really hard to find information on paris sewers, whether it be on the internet or in books. Donald Reid's 'Paris Sewers and Sewermen' explains the history, neccessities, and the realities and representations of the sewers. I found everything I needed. The book also has many allusions to Les Miserables, and Dante's Inferno.

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn About Paris' Sewers, November 25, 2011

By 

GentleBen - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Paris Sewers and Sewermen: Realities and Representations (Paperback)

Reading this book, you can learn a lot about the history of those who have worked in the Paris sewers. However, the operation of the sewers isn't discussed in the detail I would have liked.