Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation

This could happen and is happening any and everywhere! With all the attempts at fracking now. The rivers polluted, etc.. Amazing information that the author was able to uncover. Interesting to read too -

A fantastic account of happenings at the Toms River Plant. I was employed there for 34+years. The author very carefully documented findings and made the story very interesting. I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. A book worth reading even if you did not work there.

As a resident of the barrier island town of Ortley Beach (where the waste pipeline emptied), I remember the chaos that arose from Ciba-Geigy's dumping of toxic waste. We stopped swimming in the ocean for some time because of the uncertainess of what was being put into it. This tells all of the money deals, power trips, sickness and deaths, and unforgivable callousness of the issue. It is a must read; I couldn't put it down!

Gripping story, pulls you in, educates, and moves you along -- up to about the midway point. The second half is as slow and often downright boring as the first half was otherwise, filling page upon page upon page upon page of this person's studies and that person's studies, and this person's epidemiology and that person's epidemiology, often repetitious and increasinlgy arcane. The second half could have been more meaningfully summarized in 1/4 the pages (and the whole book, then, would have been better if last half was instead the last 1/5.) For those truly wanting to following the numerous, detailed, scientific discussions of the various, competing studies, which fill out the second half, a few footnotes would have sufficed to direct such readers to further information. As it is, I found myself going from riveted to skipping pages to get to the end. Where are the editors of yesteryear?

Motto: Don't try to stretch a good story out beyond it's natural flow.

This is an enormously important work; well researched, balanced and designed to appeal to a highly intelligent audience. If you are an environmental professional, as am I, you can see the truth in the way this story unfolds.

Enjoyed both the story and the science. Like how it went from one to the other. Not much of a science buff but I work for an environmental firm and my husband worked with chemicals for over 40 years. It was nice to be able to talk to him about the different chemicals and safety hazards. One of his co-workers had worked for Toms River Chemical in the mid 70's to 80's. He said it was a scary place.

This is a wonderful book for any reader but especially for the environmentalists among us. It is completely shocking in that it tells of all the corporate secrets and lack of care for consequences. It's a page turner !!!

This is an excellent study of a major environmental disaster. This case of chemical pollution and corporate concealment is not unique to this incident, but is a vast international problem, in my view a greater threat than global warming. For another awful case look up Huffington Post Parkersburg.

It is important to know that this happened and to know that the EPA is not all it cracked up to be. We must remain vigilant. Fagin gave us some very interesting historical information but he kept repeating himself making the story seem endless. Also it was hard not to just skim through all the statistical information. We read this for our Book Group. Not sorry we read it but wouldn't have perservered if it was not for the group discussion.

An excellent book --- detailed information how a chemical/drug company contaminated ground, water and air ... and apparently never gave it a second thought. A cancer cluster developed and mostly kids were affected, killed.
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The amount of material covered in this ambitious book is amazing. In addition to the tragic story of Toms River, the book contains a a history of the dye industry, the development of statistical epidemiology, the rise of the chemical industry, and more. Most impressively, Fagin does a masterful job of tying the various threads together and he is able to present the material in such a way that it is not overwhelming. Definitely one of the best nonfiction books of the year.

An excellent book --- detailed information how a chemical/drug company contaminated ground, water and air ... and apparently never gave it a second thought. A cancer cluster developed and mostly kids were affected, killed.
,

The amount of material covered in this ambitious book is amazing. In addition to the tragic story of Toms River, the book contains a a history of the dye industry, the development of statistical epidemiology, the rise of the chemical industry, and more. Most impressively, Fagin does a masterful job of tying the various threads together and he is able to present the material in such a way that it is not overwhelming. Definitely one of the best nonfiction books of the year.

This is an extremely comprehensive and very readable book. The author gives you every detail in the long history of the polluting of Toms River, as well as the consequences of that pollution on its citizens.

filled with info even the local residents never heard or realized. incredible amount of research went into this very informative and accurate depiction of the pollution mess we had in the area for years and never realized it.

This is an important work, especially for the history of dangerous chemicals in the environment. I grew up in Toms River in the 60s, we had no idea of what was going on. My view of Toms River is now quite ominous. Very well written.

Gavin explores so many issues in this text. His exploration of bureaucracy, scientific history, and the human struggle is moving and empowering. Each chapter and sentence seems to have its role in creating an outstanding overall piece of literature.

A nonfiction book that reads as well as your favorite novel. Dan Fagin has an uncanny ability to make complex scientific topics readily understandable. The book is extremely relevant with the ongoing debates regarding energy extraction and the impacts on our water supply. The interweaving of personal stories with the history of medical advances in the understanding of the effects of chemicals on the human body is engrossing. Required reading for anyone who has seen a TV or print ad about the jobs that will come to your community from the oil and gas industry, and why we need to shrink government and end regulations. Are jobs worth the life of your child or grandchild?

Environmental practitioners as eell as the general public should read this book to prevent a sad history from repeating itself! Perhaps a revised version with the more technical explanations in a separate appendix would improve its general readability.

Thought the book was very interesting since I am a local person from a few towns away. And just how much the company involved
got away with. Have known individuals from area. And knew a person who had died from this area (Cardinal Drive) from cancer
but did not know from what type. I would recommend this book....

Very gripping story with a lot of historical chemical information that helps the reader understand modern usage of the compounds that contaminated the waters around Toms River. I found it to also be a cautionary story about the relationship between big business and small communities. Excellent read!!!

I enjoyed the whole book but had trouble putting it down to sleep and go work over the last 250 pages or so. The reckless disregard for public safety by chemical companies, a public water company and public officials during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s was shocking. The effort to link a cluster of childhood cancer to toxic chemicals reads like a great crime thriller. Nevertheless, the cost, effort and difficulty of getting a rigorous statistical, scientifically conclusive result was disconserting. I'm a scientist who grew up near, but not dangerously close to Tom's River. A great book for anyone interested in science, medicine and the environment. We really need a strong EPA!

i have submitted two reviews of this product, both the same rating, & i have received two emails saying my review was not posted & i think it is saying i did not purchase this product from the store which i did download to my kindle & when i check my account, it notes that this download was ordered & delivered by the store; should i just forget reviewing this book; i have reviewed dozens of other books i have downloaded & read with no issues; pls advise

This was a very readable history of chemical industry and what can happen when ignorance is matched with greed. The saga demonstrates how getting involved can make a very real difference to people's lives and when it smells, don't drink the water!