Title: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women
Author: Kate Moore
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, History
Pages: 479
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"The incredible true story of the women who fought America's Undark danger.
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 the workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.
Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the 'wonder' substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives..."
My Rating: 5/5
Other than hearing about this book a few years ago I had never heard about the Radium Girls and their lives. Considering I'm Canadian I just assumed that it was something that might be spoken more about in the American school system. So imagine my surprise when I realized that not many people know the cases of the Radium girls across America (not every state). This is such a well-written novel about the events, while still making you feel as though you knew the women. I think that this story was more about the girls themselves then the specific legal proceedings (this information is included) and based on the author's note I think that her goal was accomplished. The idea of making these women knowable, more than just what they gave to labour laws, and science. I would recommend this to anyone interested in all honesty. I would also recommend the audiobook, I loved the narrator.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
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