The story follows Sangamon Taylor, a toxic waste investigator for a grassroots environmental group in Boston. Taylor uses high-tech chemical analysis and a motorized inflatable boat to track illegal industrial dumping. When he discovers a massive hoard of toxic sludge in the harbor, he uncovers a conspiracy involving a multinational corporation, PCB contamination, and the release of genetically engineered bacteria. The plot moves from street-level activism to a high-stakes corporate cover-up, focusing on the chemistry of pollutants and the mechanics of environmental sabotage.
This book serves readers interested in the intersection of chemistry, environmental policy, and counterculture hacking. It appeals to those who enjoy technical details about molecular structures and industrial processes integrated into a fast-paced thriller. Readers walk away with a functional understanding of how industrial waste affects coastal ecosystems and how individuals use scientific literacy to challenge corporate negligence. It provides a cynical but technically accurate look at the logistics of mid-1980s environmental defense.
Outward-looking, clear-cut and escapist; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1988
- Language
- EN
