Plot Summary

When Smoke Ran Like Water

Devra Davis
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When Smoke Ran Like Water

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Devra Davis

When Smoke Ran Like Water

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th century

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

When Smoke Ran Like Water by Devra Davis documents her battle against environmental pollution, highlighting public health disasters and institutional deception, with personal anecdotes like her family's losses in the 1948 Donora smog. She covers regulatory efforts, such as removing lead from gasoline and banning harmful pesticides, and explores chronic illnesses linked to pollution, advocating for significant change. Includes instances of disease and reproductive harm.

Informative

Unnerving

Mysterious

Challenging

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.3

400 ratings

75%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

When Smoke Ran Like Water by Devra Davis is praised for its compelling narrative and comprehensive research on environmental pollution and public health. While readers appreciate the personal anecdotes and eye-opening analysis, some criticize the dense scientific data and occasional emotional intensity. Overall, it's a significant contribution to environmental literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read When Smoke Ran Like Water?

Readers passionate about environmental science, public health, and the effects of pollution will find When Smoke Ran Like Water by Devra Davis captivating. Comparable to Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, this book offers a compelling look at industrial pollution's impact on health, making it ideal for advocates and scholars in environmental and health studies.

4.3

400 ratings

75%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th century

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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