What the Eyes Don't See by Mona Hanna-Attisha Summary
Overview of What the Eyes Don't See
A pediatrician's fight against government lies exposed the Flint water crisis, earning praise from Erin Brockovich and Michael Moore. "What the Eyes Don't See" reveals how one woman's detective work uncovered environmental racism that poisoned an entire city's children.
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Key takeaways
When a Doctor Refused to Look Away
A mother stands in a pediatrician's office, holding her baby, asking a simple question: "Is our tap water safe?" The doctor-confident, well-trained-says yes. Months later, that same doctor discovers she was catastrophically wrong. The water flowing through an entire American city was poisoned with lead, and she had unknowingly told thousands of parents it was fine. This is where most people would crumble. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha did the opposite. She became a detective, an activist, and ultimately, the voice that forced a nation to confront an environmental disaster it wanted to ignore. Flint, Michigan's water crisis wasn't just a failure of infrastructure-it was a failure of democracy, accountability, and basic human decency. When government officials switched the city's water source to save money, they unleashed a neurotoxin into homes, schools, and hospitals. What followed was a masterclass in institutional denial: officials dismissed complaints, manipulated data, and attacked anyone who questioned them. But one pediatrician refused to stay silent. Her story reveals how ordinary people can challenge power, how science becomes activism when lives are at stake, and why some truths demand to be told-no matter the cost.
The Doctor Who Chose to Stay
The Barbecue That Sparked a Revolution
Following the Data into Darkness and a City Built on Broken Promises
Speaking Truth to Indifferent Power
The Cover-Up Unravels
Hope as Medicine
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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