Flint, Michigan had been built up, then abandoned, by General Motors. In 2014, as part of a plan to save money, government officials decided that Flint would temporarily switch its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Within months, many residents broke out in rashes. Children stopped growing. Some people were hospitalized with mysterious illnesses; others died. Despite the murky, foul-smelling liquid pouring from the city's faucets, officials refused to listen. Through interviews with residents and intensive research into legal records and news accounts, Cooper and Aronson show not just how the crisis unfolded, but also the history of racism and segregation that led up to it, and how the people of Flint fought-- and are still fighting-- for clean water and healthy lives.

Includes index.

Prologue -- Roots and margins -- Pure, natural, mineral -- "The water is biting them" -- To the dome -- Big worries here -- Ten thousand children -- A good guess -- Water out of control -- Trust fall -- "The big red flag" -- A whistle blows -- Denial -- Convergence -- Blood speaks -- A tipping point -- A world rocked -- Surrender -- A ceaseless trail -- "A gaggle of bottled waters" -- Blame without end -- "We can save ourselves" -- Coming back where? -- Roaring uphill -- "My destiny is dismal" -- "But a flint holds fire" / by Andrea Ramsey.