Toilets of the World
100 Strange & Spectacular Thrones, Commodes, Loos, & Latrines
written by Patrick Kinsella
and Lonely Planet editors
Lonely Planet, 2025. 142 pages.
Review written December 23, 2025, from a library book.
When the nonfiction selector for our library system posted a Teams message about this book he was ordering (There may have been a request.), at least a couple of us couldn’t resist putting it on hold.
This is a book of photography – of toilets in far-flung, and usually gorgeous, corners of the world. There’s a glossary of toilet terms, a toilet timeline, and list of extreme toilets (the lowest, the highest, the oldest, the most expensive – that sort of thing). There’s even a list of ways to ask, “Where is the toilet?” in twelve different countries. You’ll find photos of toilets from all over the world. And an abundance of potty puns.
What can I say? I had to see this book for myself. A glimpse of the world from the point of view of the facilities. They indeed surprised and delighted me.
No, I will not be using this as a list to try and go visit – many were remote (such as the one on Mount Everest), and I’m happy that someone did it for me – and took a picture.
If you, like me, can’t resist taking a peek at these ravishing restrooms – you know who you are!
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Nonfiction/toilets_of_the_world.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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