As someone born in Flint and having spent my early years there, I was deeply invested in Jordan Chariton’s We The Poisoned. At its best moments, this book reads like a gripping extension to Empire of Pain, drawing you in while unraveling a complex web of politics, regulations, and public health crises. Chariton intertwines the stories of over 100,000 residents exposed to toxic waters, vividly depicting the devastating impact of lead poisoning and Legionnaires disease.

Chariton helps piece together a timeline of events across multiple administrations, shedding light on why justice has yet to be served for those impacted. The book reveals the chilling negligence and corruption that allowed this disaster to unfold, with figures like former Governor Rick Snyder at the center of a troubling cover-up. Through the voices of activists and resilient community members, it highlights systemic failures that amplified the crisis.

However, I found Chariton's approach somewhat indelicate at times. He often paints the city and its residents (outside of activists) as one dimensional victims, focusing heavily on the toughest conditions without fully capturing the resilience and agency of the community. Additionally, he could be heavy-handed with rhetoric, especially late in the book. What felt intended as a call to action, came off to me as preachy. These were the key reasons I couldn’t give the book a full five stars.

Overall, We The Poisoned is a powerful call for accountability and awareness, providing essential context for the decisions that led to this public health disaster. For anyone looking to understand the human side of this tragedy, it’s still an eye-opening read, just with some caveats.

Narrators Pete Cross & Sophie Amoss did an amazing job and made this a pleasure to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the ALC of this book.