The radium girls

the dark story of America's shining women

No cover

Kate Moore: The radium girls (2017)

479 pages

English language

Published Feb. 14, 2017

ISBN:
978-1-4926-4935-9
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OCLC Number:
956341099

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5 stars (1 review)

As World War I raged across the globe, hundreds of young women toiled away at the radium-dial factories, where they painted clock faces with a mysterious new substance called radium. Assured by their bosses that the luminous material was safe, the women themselves shone brightly in the dark, covered from head to toe with the glowing dust. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" were considered the luckiest alive--until they began to fall mysteriously ill. As the fatal poison of the radium took hold, they found themselves embroiled in one of America's biggest scandals and a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights. The Radium Girls explores the strength of extraordinary women in the face of almost impossible circumstances and the astonishing legacy they left behind.

6 editions

Review of 'The Radium Girls' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I remember hearing about this a long time ago while watching a show called Dark Matters: Twisted But True starring John Noble. It had been part of three stories during the second season (?). So when I saw this book pop up at my local bookstore I decided I really wanted to check it out.

I was not at all disappointed by this book.

The book was heart-breaking and tugged at every emotion within your body. You felt the pain these girls went through and the anger at Radium Corp for covering up the dangers of the radium.

These young women went to these jobs to earn a living. Most of them came from poverty and were trying to lift not only themselves out of it but also their families. This job offered them that opportunity but when these girls grew ill from the effects of lip dipping, Radium Corp …

Subjects

  • World War, 1914-1918
  • Diseases
  • Watch dial painters
  • Toxicology
  • War work
  • Consumers' leagues
  • History
  • Radium paint
  • Industrial hygiene
  • Women

Places

  • United States