As the ongoing Flint water crisis marks its tenth anniversary, Chariton reveals shocking new evidence of the major government cover–up that resulted in the poisoning of Flint—and shatters what you think you know about what caused the water crisis.
From crooked Wall Street financial schemes to political payoffs, destruction of evidence, witness tampering, falsified water data, threatened whistle blowers, and panicked phone calls, We the Poisoned reveals, for the first time, the real story behind how the government poisoned a major American city—and how they are still getting away with it.
As the cover-up continues a decade later, innocent residents have been arrested, surveilled, threatened, and gaslit to feel like they are crazy. With more and more sick residents slowly dying every year, Flint’s lead levels again on the rise and cancer rates surging across the city, it is time for the true, sinister story of the Flint water cover-up to be told.
Based on eight years of reporting, thousands of confidential documents from the criminal investigation, and the former governor of Michigan’s own words under oath, Jordan Chariton takes readers on the road to crisis before the Flint River switch—when government officials blew through all stop signs and orchestrated a financial scheme that allowed a nearly bankrupt Flint to borrow $100 million for a controversial new water system.
As brown, smelly water flowed through Flint homes and residents grew sick, politicians intentionally and knowingly allowed Americans to drink poison as they prioritized their own political ambitions and survival.
Just when you think the levels of callousness and disregard for the people can’t drop any lower, Chariton digs even deeper to expose one of the biggest government cover-ups of the twenty-first century.
We the Poisoned is a cautionary tale about “run-government-like-a-business” leaders who champion privatization and economic development at the expense of the environment, public health, and vulnerable citizens. Perhaps even more important, with water and environmental contamination surging across the United States, Chariton’s revelations provide a road map for how to fight back and prevent similar tragedies from happening to other communities.
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“An unexpected hero arrives to expose and confront the villains. And in the case of Flint, Michigan, that hero was Jordan Chariton…This book tells that important story, one that all of us from Flint are hugely grateful for and hope you will read in this necessary book.”
— Michael Moore, American documentary filmmaker and #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Chronicles the catastrophe’s legacy and jaw-dropping government malfeasance…It’s a vital report on a horrific scandal.”
— Publishers Weekly“An investigative reporter…the author delivers important journalism that serves as a sobering reminder that in the face of government injustice, it is up to citizens to spread awareness and take action…An impassioned and enlightening work of current events.”
— Kirkus Reviews“This book is an in-depth look behind the scenes of the cover-up of the largest man-made disaster this country has experienced at the hands of our government…This is a must read!”
— Karen Weaver, former mayor of Flint, MichiganBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Pete Cross is an Earphones Award–winning narrator. He holds a BA in theater from the University of Toledo and an MFA in acting from the California Institute of the Arts. His experience on stage includes Carnegie Hall, and he has also acted in film. He has served on the faculty at Cal Arts and with Aquila Morong Studio in Hollywood. He has coached for film and theatrical productions and continues to work with private clients all over the world.
Sophie Amoss is a voice talent and Earphones Award–winning narrator.