A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon
Charts Bestseller!
For fans of Hidden Figures, comes the incredible true story of the
women heroes who were exposed to radium in factories across the U.S. in
the early 20th century, and their brave and groundbreaking battle to
strengthen workers' rights, even as the fatal poison claimed their own
lives...
In the dark years of the First World War, 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. 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.
And, until they begin to come forward.
As the women start to speak out on the corruption, the factories that
once offered golden opportunities ignore all claims of the gruesome side
effects. 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. A timely story of
corporate greed and the brave figures that stood up to fight for their
lives, these women and their voices will shine for years to come.
Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls
fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder"
substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of
almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to
life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately
saved hundreds of thousands of lives...
