The Poisoned City is a book by Anna Clark that delves into the water crisis in Flint, Michigan that occurred in April 2014. The majority of the population in Flint are African Americans, and as such, they bore the brunt of the contamination of their water supply with lead, e-coli, and other toxins. The community reported a foul smell, cold metal coin taste, and brown coffee-like color, but their complaints were dismissed. Residents were advised to run the water for two to three minutes where it was clear enough, despite experiencing rashes, ulcers, hair loss, and reduced reproduction.

There was an increase in fetal deaths that resulted from mothers drinking the contaminated water. It took eighteen months for city residents and outsiders to influence the state to admit that the water was poisonous. Twelve people died, and children suffered inhumane conditions. After months, an advisory was issued to boil the water before use, and the water supply was switched to a new system known as Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) that provided better water from Lake Huron. However, the new system was not immediately ready, so residents still had to use water from the Flint River.

The Poisoned City educates readers on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and how challenges in American cities extend beyond local leadership to the system. The financially unfortunate and majority African American communities are more at risk and neglected. Reading the book altered the writer's perception, leading them to value basic amenities such as clean water. The book illustrates how crises can alter lives and how communities must come together to solve problems. The crisis in Flint went beyond the water supply and affected several aspects of life, including schooling.

The writer also relates The Poisoned City to the current pandemic, indicating how crises can arise suddenly and impact lives previously deemed normal. As such, it is essential to remain aware of potential crises and be ready to adapt to them. Overall, The Poisoned City raises awareness about the Flint water crisis and how communities need to work together to find solutions and prevent similar crises in the future.

If I had the opportunity to ask the author a question, I would inquire about how the events would have played out if Caucasian individuals were the majority population and African Americans were the minority in Flint, Michigan. I am curious to know if the issues would have been resolved more quickly in this scenario. As African Americans were the majority population, I believe that the crisis went to extreme measures and was overlooked as compared to what would have happened had Caucasians been in the majority.

When reading the book, the individuals I would want to meet the most are the members of the Detroit Water System. I want to know why they did not take better precautions to avoid the water crisis. Meeting them would provide me with a better understanding of the water system's operations and the process of checking and operating it. I would also like to interview the students affected by lead in the schools to understand how their lives have been impacted.

In my opinion, the book's title suits the context appropriately, as it explains the crisis in Flint, Michigan, and its breakdown. The impact of the water on the community was like poison. However, if it were up to me, I would title the book The Neglected City, as the city and its water system were neglected. It was a lack of care and regular maintenance that led to the crisis.

Prior to reading the book, I knew it would educate me about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. I learned how the water system impacted the individuals within the community, including the school system. I gained knowledge on how drinking the water caused burns, rashes, and boils, and the reasons behind the crisis.

I have two questions still left unanswered after reading the book. Firstly, why were there insufficient measures taken to prevent the water crisis, and secondly, could the crisis have been avoided if discriminatory measures were not taken against African Americans, who made up the majority of Flint's population?

The author has conducted thorough research, utilizing credible sources; all of her notes are included in the book, and she acknowledges her sources. The book's narrative is plot-based, outlining events, their duration, and the impact each event had on the individuals involved. The passages that stood out to me were from chapter 12, page 195, titled "Genesis." Another was the opening to chapter 10, page 165, titled "No Witchcraft." The vocabulary and narrative style used in the book contributed to its credibility.

Overall, the book's narrator was believable, and the narration flowed well, making it easy to imagine and understand everything that took place.

I highly recommend this book as it has the potential to broaden one's perspective and provide valuable insights into life situations that occur outside of their immediate surroundings. It is an excellent resource that can educate individuals about the happenings around the world, and I believe it would be an eye-opener for those who don't have much knowledge about it.

It is crucial to spread awareness and shed light on issues that need attention, and this is where this book comes into play. It highlights important concerns that require urgent attention, and by reading it, one can indeed be more well-informed and take action to help society.

If I had the chance to make a difference in Flint Michigan, I would focus on the community, particularly families and children who were severely affected by the situation. Starting with a food and household drive, and a wellness program could be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, creating a platform that shares information and enables individuals worldwide to donate and contribute could go a long way in improving the conditions in Flint.