The Radium Girls

I read The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore while traveling after having it on my to-read list for awhile. The book description reads, "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."

This book was AMAZING. Sometimes nonfiction books can be slow reads, but this one was fascinating and engaging and easy to get through. I knew very little about radium and so was very interested in reading about what was understood about it at that time. It was heartbreaking to read about the girls' medical problems and how they could not find help and support--and yet so inspiring when they found people willing to put in the work to find them justice. I really enjoyed this read and would highly recommend it.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)