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

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• Title: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women
• Author: Kate Moore
• Publisher: High Bridge Audio
• Publication Date:  May 2, 2017
• Pages: Audio CD (13 discs)
• Genre: Non-Fiction/History
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2017
• Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer
• Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

At the turn of the century, it seemed that radium was the new wonder drug- capable of prolonging life and helping in everyday tasks. Caught in the whirlwind of the radium craze and the war sweeping the entire world, hundreds of girls answered the call to paint luminous watch faces with radium. These were the Radium Girls. To paint these tiny watch faces, they put the paintbrush- with radium on it- in their mouths without knowing how poisonous radium was. As the years went on, many of the girls started developing horrible sicknesses and dying because of their exposure to the radium. With the horrible knowledge that their work with radium had done this to them, these women fought for the justice they deserved- even in the face of unimaginable pain and darkness.

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*I received this audiobook for free in exchange for a completely honest review*

This is one of the most eye-opening and heart-rending books I have read in a long time and is honestly one of those books that everyone should have on their bookshelf. It brings to life the stories of the famous Radium Girls and it let me understand the unique struggles each woman went through to fight for justice. I also could not stop tears from coming because I was just so heartbroken at the unnecessary suffering these women had to go through. By the end of the book, I was a pool of emotions and had to stop for a while before continuing on with the book.

I got to know each woman very well and was repeatedly amazed at their tenacity and courage in the face of certain death. There is much sadness- and anger- in this book, but there is also hope and the knowledge that these women's sacrifice was not in vain. Many of our current legislations and safety standards come as a direct result of what these women fought for. I think that's what blows my mind the most about this book- that without them- without their stories- we would be living in a very different world. I am eternally grateful for their contributions to science, culture, worker's rights, legislation, and for reminding everyone of the humanity in us all.

Throughout this book, I became extremely angry at the men who did this to them- the corporations that turned a blind eye and lied to the women just to make money. It was chilling to hear how carelessly these companies treated the radium and the women who had to handle it every day. It makes me proud to know that these women were able to stand up to those who did not think they were worth anything. I cannot even begin to comprehend the mental fortitude it would have taken to do this while also suffering intense pain.

I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I can, and it has earned a place on my favorites shelf. Important history like this shall not be ignored.