Before I get into the review of the actual book I would be remiss if I did not state how fascinating these women’s stories were. I can’t believe I had never heard of their suffering before picking this book up for book club. How did I not learn about this in history class?! More on this after we discuss book details.
3 disco balls
Published: March 6, 2018 by Sourcebooks
Category: Non-fiction, History, Science
I do appreciate Kate Moore for bringing this story to my attention. I do wish the book was written and edited better. I am not afraid of big books (this one clocked in 406), but this one did not need to be that long. It was often repetitive and didn’t have a consistent flow. But, I learned so much. I was often angry and repulsed by what I learned and wondered how some of the executives, doctors and lawyers, etc. slept at night? My goodness. All the angry feels.
Goodreads Synopsis: 4.2 average rating
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.
Okay going back to not knowing about these women: how was that possible when their legal battles “ultimately led to the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which now works nationally in the United States to ensure safe working conditions.” (pg. 392) I was still fired up when I finished that I needed to know more.
I immediately found the documentary, Radium City, that inspired Kate Moore to write this book. I rented it on Vimeo for $0.99 and got to “meet” some of the women highlighted in the book, as well as the small town – just outside of Chicago – of Ottawa, IL (one of the factory sites).
Also during my research I found a Radium Girls film on IMDB.com. It seems that it was showcased at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. I need to watch it when it becomes available to the public.
Have you heard of The Radium Girls and/or read the book? Do tell!
Purchase Links
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
You may also find me here:
Please note: this post contains Amazon and B&N affiliate links. If you purchase this book through the links above I will earn a small fee; at no additional cost to you. This will help me purchase more books to read and recommend to you all!
Saturday Nite Reader 
Never heard about this. Something new
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! I’d heard so much about this one and like you knew little about this story or that it had even happened. But I’ve read a few other reviews with complaints similar to yours so I’m not sure whether I want to devote the time to it. I know that sounds bad because it’s an important topic 😐 thanks for the documentary tip, I’m definitely going to check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s from the late 80s, and a bit grainy but very informative – it only focuses on the 1 plant in Ottawa and not NJ and NY, but still a worthy view. It will get your blood boiling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine, just hearing about this story through reviews has made me angry. Such an unbelievable bit of history!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ignorance of radioactive material in those times was astounding. The fact that they marketed this stuff as makeup is worse then the cigarette campaigns of the time. These poor women suffered so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so crazy to me that the company knew, the KNEW!!! and, still employed fresh batches of women at different locations. I can’t believe they could live with themselves after that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! That is what makes me mad. It happens all the time. Think about all those people spraying fields with cancerous bug spray?
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤦🏻♀️🤬😩🤬
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew nothing about this. It’s a pity the book was poorly edited and too lengthy. I am going to look up information about this now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this cover and have been eyeing this book for what seems like months. It’s always intimidated me though because I’m not really a big nonfiction reader and it seemed really dense. Since you said it’s really repetitive, I’m leaning more away from it now. Maybe I’ll skip the book and go straight for the documentary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its dense but the last 70 or so pages is indexes and such. Its still slightly over 400 and read quicker than I would have thought. I think from reading so many books we expect a certain level of writing.
LikeLike
This book certainly certainly could’ve done better. It had to be a bit painful to be forced to look elsewhere to get the complete picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am still reading up on it, I can’t believe I didn’t learn about this in school – it’s maddening.
LikeLike
I don’t think I could handle this one
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was tough, I was mad the whole time!
LikeLike
Added to my Goodreads! I have heard of this, but I would love to learn more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
LikeLike
I’m not really into non-fiction but this one seems like a good read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The story will get your blood boiling for sure!
LikeLike
The synopsis sounded really good as well. I don’t get to read non-fiction often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the movie comes out soon!
LikeLike
Great review! Too bad you didn’t love the novel as a whole even though you enjoyed the stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The documentary was eye opening too (set in the 80s also brings you back in time)
LikeLike
Too bad it didn’t turn out so good- it had potential!
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least it got me researching for more info! 😉 It’s a crazy story, I can’t believe they made the girls put Radium in their mouths! Even after knowing it was bad…😡
LikeLike
Great review!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never heard of this one before but now I want to read it
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanted to read this one! Thanks for the great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Dark, Evil Character Dr. Frederick Flinn, Arthur Roeder, and Joseph Kelly (and many more) from The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. How the heck did they sleep at night, those evil […]
LikeLike
I was wondering as to why it seemed this one took you a little longer than usual to finish. I kept seeing the stories on IG. I don’t think that this would be a book I would pick up but its not based on your review it just doesn’t intrigue me whatsoever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I learned a lot from the documentary too (although its from 1987 so the film quality is certainly a bit different!)
LikeLike
Hmm…I recently purchased this book, but now I’m a little reluctant to dive in right away. Long books don’t intimidate me, but I’m kind of bummed to hear it’s redundant. That makes long books FEEL long 😐
LikeLiked by 1 person
What happened to these girls is plain awful! As I was reading it, I needed to talk about it to anyone who listened. Although not a literary masterpiece, it was educational. Keep me posted on your progress!
LikeLike
Great review Nikki, I’ve been seen this book quite a lot around lately, I have not read The Radium Girls yet but I don’t know if I ever will read it because I don’t read non-fiction books as of right now. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person