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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Readers say *The Radium Girls* delivers a harrowing, well-researched account of young women poisoned by radium, exposing corporate neglect and injusti...
Initially, I was tearing along through this book, but at a certain point, I became frustrated with the book’s progress. And then the author’s genius dawned on me: my frustration was nowhere near the frustration suffered by the Radium Girls at the hands of a callous, uncaring industry and medical complex. Even the town that they worked in was against them. Ultimately, these are the bravest women I have ever heard of or read about. We would do well to heed the last sentence of the Postscript: “How quickly we forget.”
Having the author join our book club to describe her writing process brought this intriguing nonfiction book to life.
Horrifying that companies could knowingly endanger workers lives and not be held responsible under the law. I was heartsick with how short, painful and scary the lives of the radium girls were. These girls who painted dials with glow in the dark radium for war planes and watches would suddenly become ill sometimes within a few months and sometimes within a few years of working there. Their teeth would start to fall out and the holes would not heal and then pieces of their jaw would start to disintegrate and fall off. Their joints would lock up or their bones would hurt and start to break on their own or start growing cancerous growths. And the companies would try to blame it on women hysterics or bad hygiene or STDs. Totally despicable. Thanks to these women who stood up to the establishment, workers have the protections that they do today. The author introduces you to each of the affected women and as a reader, you start to care deeply about these women due to all the personal antidotes the author tells you about them. And since radium poisoning is incurable, most of these women die slow, painful deaths. This book will haunt you long after you read it.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalkey for review consideration.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalkey for review consideration.
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