Join a book club that is reading The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women (Bestselling Historical Nonfiction Gift for Men and Women)!

Rushford & Sons Bevvies & Books

This is a no-stress, no-judgment book club that meets the third Tuesday of every month(ish) at Rushford & Sons Brewhouse. Book choices are voted on monthly according to book club chosen themes.


Books are available at a discount through Hygge House Books, but you do not need to purchase through us to be a part of the book club. You don't even need to read the book! Just show up ready to have an open-minded chat, partake in a bevvy or two, and hang with some cool people.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women (Bestselling Historical Nonfiction Gift for Men and Women)

A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts Bestseller!

"The glowing ghosts of the radium girls haunt us still." --NPR Books

Discover the gripping and inspiring true story of The Radium Girls, a groundbreaking work by acclaimed author Kate Moore. Immerse yourself in this compelling narrative that unravels the extraordinary lives of these fearless women who fought against all odds.

The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.

Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive--until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.

But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.

With meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Kate Moore delves into the lives of these remarkable individuals, capturing their resilience, strength, and unwavering determination. Through their stories, she exposes the shocking negligence and corporate cover-ups that plagued the radium industry, ultimately sparking a revolution in workplace safety.

The Radium Girls is a masterful blend of historical account and heartfelt tribute. Moore's vivid prose brings these forgotten heroines back to life, ensuring that their sacrifices and triumphs are forever etched in our collective memory. As you turn each page, you'll be captivated by their indelible legacy and inspired by their enduring spirit.

The Radium Girls is a must-read for history enthusiasts, feminists, and anyone seeking a remarkable story of resilience and empowerment.

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504 pages

Average rating: 7.66

460 RATINGS

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15 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Pinkpanthcrazy
Dec 14, 2024
10/10 stars
This book was incredible. It was so sad and heartbreaking. What these women were put through Kate Moore does an excellent job with her writing.
Stacey'sBookHoard
Oct 25, 2024
10/10 stars
Such an emotional roller-coaster! Amazing read although heartbreaking at times
Luara
Sep 21, 2024
10/10 stars
A thorough and well-documented account of pervasive and long-lasting corporate and legal corruption and the victimized women who were worth less than the company's profits. This book captures the lives of these women and their fight just to be heard and believed, a fight that most of them lost. The lengths corporate men and those who conspired with them went to in order to not just deny their company's impact on the women's health but to also maintain that impact on current employees is staggering but not at all surprising. We see it everyday in the victimization of women attempting to control their own bodies, health, and working conditions, and the impact will be equally pervasive and long-lasting.
Anonymous
Sep 01, 2024
10/10 stars
Just when you think there might be some hope shining at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel collapses. I’d like to say this book has a happy ending, and in a way it does, but if you know anything about radium, you know this book will break your heart, chapter, by chapter. And it’s true. It’s all true, and that’s even more heartbreaking.
Caroleame
Aug 20, 2024
Wow. I had no idea this happened. The devastating effects of a new cure all was eye opening and jaw dropping. You really feel for what these women went through and feel the anger of how they were treated.

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