The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

by Moore, Kate
ISBN: 9781492650959
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Used - Trade Paperback - 9781492650959

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Overview

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

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

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 workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.

  • Format: TradePaperback
  • Author: Moore, Kate
  • ISBN: 9781492650959
  • Condition: Used
  • Dimensions: 8.00 x 1.50
  • Number Of Pages: 504
  • Publication Year: 2018

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  • They Painted Their Teeth With Radium...

    Lisa S. - 5 years 3 months ago

    I have not been able to stop talking about this book. It starts with a glow-in-the-dark paint, invented just before WWI. And what made it glow? Microscopic amounts of a newly discovered element; Radium. Young women were hired to paint watch faces and dials (a booming business during the war), and they were taught that as their brushes dried, they should lip-point them to keep them fresh and accurate. They were literally eating radioactive paint. On special occasions, they even painted their teeth or faces for some extra glow. Years later, sickness followed a mystery illness that we know as radiation poisoning today. Doctors were baffled, women were dying, and the company at the center of the controversy hid, lied, and obstructed every attempt to tie radium to the symptoms. This book tracks through landmark court cases that are still protecting our rights today in an incredibly human way. It is a startling history and told in a wonderfully accessible and bright way. These brave women come alive in these pages, and their stories have relevance even today. Read it, and you will not stop talking about this book either.

    HPB Staff Review

  • Everyone should know about these girls

    HPB S. - 5 years 9 months ago

    Historic, scientific, heartbreaking story written like a novel. A story everyone should know about.

  • Fascinating story and glimpse into the past

    Elizabeth N. - 5 years 9 months ago

    I don't usually enjoy history books, but this one really stuck with me. The science of the radium, the societal influences that played a part, the big company not taking care of their workers. The physical effects of radium though - wow. Those women really suffered and nobody knew why for so long. The research into this must have taken a lot of effort, and the book reads in a captivating way. I remember thinking how I wish it would be a movie - and there IS a movie (that's release was delayed due to Covid). #SummerReading

  • Must read

    Sarah L. - 5 years 10 months ago

    #summerreading I could not put this book down! A must read for everyone, it mixed history, women's lives, health and illness topics, worker's rights and the struggle of the underdog for justice. This novel is gripping, well researched and unfortunately is true though it reads as a novel. Would highly recommend!

  • Compelling story of strong women

    Suzanne M G. - 5 years 11 months ago

    I seriously could not put this book down. One of my all time favorite reads. The Radium girls suffered terribly and fought the companies that poisoned them to the very end. Horrific story of exploited workers and their battle to be compensated for their suffering. Absolutely fascinating slice of history. Well written and researched.