TheWorstJobsInHistory

TonyRobinsonhassetouttoinvestigatetheunderbellyofBritishhistorythrough2,000yearsofwretchedemployment—whetherit'sswillingoutthecrotchofaknight'ssoiledarmororcollectinghumanwastetoturnintogunpowder.CoveringtheRomaninvasiontothereignofQueenVictoria, Robinsonuncoversanunseenarmyundertakingarduous,hazardous,deeplyunpleasantwork.Theverynames"ToadEater,""VomitCollector,""SpitBoy,"and"SeekeroftheDead"underlineafairlydisgustinghistory.Ashedelvesintothegrimeofhowlifewasfortheordinaryperson,hebrings"GongScourers"(Tudorcesspitcleaners),"PureCollectors"(Victorianpooper-scoopers),and"ResurrectionMen"(Georgianbodysnatchers)blinkingintothelimelighttoprovideavividalternativehistoryofBritain.