The Radium Girls - Kate Moore

The Radium Girls

By Kate Moore

  • Release Date: 2017-04-18
  • Genre: History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 372 Ratings

Description

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.

Reviews

  • Highly recommend!

    5
    By Meatball 2
    Excellent book. So interesting, and the author brings each girl to life. Hard to put down!
  • A story that must be told and be heard

    5
    By SnottyDotty
    The mother of a friend of mine was a dial painter during WWII. She died young of cancer. When I found it, I had to read this book. It’s so important on so many levels. Women, social structures, war and industrial efforts, and especially the lives of every day working women who went before me. My only disappointment is that there was no mention of dial painting happening again in WWII.
  • Tragic, but beautifully written

    5
    By Xandrazoo
    I had heard about the radium girls before in passing, but was shocked to discover how much there was to the story. This book was incredibly sympathetic and well researched. This is not a “feel good” story, but it achieves a noble goal by setting the evils of the past right one reader at a time.
  • What an incredible group of courageous women

    5
    By Supertwinsmom
    So glad this is coming to light and people can read what these women had to endure. Really shows why we need workplace protection.
  • Couldn't put this book down.

    5
    By Yer mum aka Lord spinach pepe
    I've recommended this book to my whole family, my best friends, everyone I know. All I can say is... holy sh*t.
  • Read it.

    5
    By momerlyn
    I was horror stricken from almost the first page. The description of radium as "life-saving," the explanations of how rich people (for only they could afford it) would drink it for their health, the visuals drawn of the work room where the girls worked, with radium drifting through the air, "settling on their shoulders," making them gleam as they walked home in the dark, and then the actual description of their work...putting the brushes, as they were instructed, in their mouths. I could not help but remember when my elementary school teacher read portions of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"out loud to our class, and how horrified we were then. This was so much worse. Even more so, since I know we owned a couple of the clocks these girls had worked on...the Baby Bens that took their lives. Read it. If only to remember them, and never let corporations get away with this kind of intentional murder again.
  • What a scary read

    5
    By *Shazam666*
    One of the most disturbing books to read on dip, lip, and paint, to put radium on the watch dials to glow at night, and no wonder these women died such gruesome and hideous deaths!! And what their families had to endure in trying to get help and sue for medical bills and pay for funerals. A must read!!
  • Speechless

    5
    By Castletoe
    Wow. Wow. Wow. I am not one to read about non-fiction things like this, but I could not put this book down. The way this book is written is insanely captivating. I experienced so many emotions while reading, it left me speechless, I was horrified, sickened, angered, saddened, and more. Anger. I even cried at some points. This is a story worth hearing, reading, knowing. READ THIS BOOK.
  • Radium Girls

    5
    By slcspnc
    One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

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