Questions About The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

by Kate Moore (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (16)

Is it not clear by this point in time that women continue to be abused, in our culture and others, more than enough has been written about it, movies etc exploring the fate of women. Do we need another poor me book. I have not read the Radium Girls and am sure it is a good read from a historic POV, do we not need to focus more on educating our children BOYS and GIRLS, about the power they can wield over their lives?

tree Oddly enough, it's possible to care about more than one thing at a time. And considering that every one of those women died of radium poisoning -- man…moreOddly enough, it's possible to care about more than one thing at a time. And considering that every one of those women died of radium poisoning -- many before their court battles could do them any good -- it's hardly a "poor me" book. If you want to educate children about "the power they can wield over their lives" then this is a great book to start with. It's the true story of hundreds of women (and some men) who stood up and refused to be cowed by corporations and public opinion for the benefit of all the women who would come after them. They changed the law. If that doesn't teach someone about taking control over their lives then they can't be taught.(less)

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I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Kindle edition or the hardback edition of this book. The deciding factor is if the Kindle edition includes photos, like I believe the hardcover edition does. Can someone tell me this?

Yaaresse You've probably already decided, but in case someone else needs to know, the photos are in the back of the Kindle edition. There are 35 photos in the …moreYou've probably already decided, but in case someone else needs to know, the photos are in the back of the Kindle edition. There are 35 photos in the Kindle edition. Most are very small and somewhat grainy, so you'll have to tap each on and enlarge it to really see much. (One of the few annoying flaws of e-books.) About a dozen are of some of the women from the book and often have one picture of them very young (teens) and one as an adult. There are maybe four that show sarcoma or other conditions and appear to be from medical journals. Five are of the professionals (lawyers and doctors). The rest are either candid shots from company outings, from the court proceedings, or from newspaper articles. All are well described in the text.

So I guess the answer depends on how important the pictures are to you. They're probably bigger and clearer in the print edition, but if easy access to footnotes are more important to you, you might want to go with the Kindle edition. because there are a LOT of footnotes. (less)

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I want to say great response to 'tree' regarding the 'poor' me statement. Wielding power won't make you happy and it won't make you understand the need to care about other's lives regardless of their socioeconomic situation. Don't you think you can learn a lot from past experiences of others?

Liz You are taking "wielding power" out of context. I was referring to teaching children that have power over their own lives. You can learn a lot from ot…moreYou are taking "wielding power" out of context. I was referring to teaching children that have power over their own lives. You can learn a lot from others experience, and conduct yourself accordingly, if you know that you can control your life.(less)

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How graphic and/or gruesome is this book in describing the physical maladies of these women? I have no problem with that kind of thing, but I'm considering this as my choice for my book club and some of the girls are a little squeamish... Is this something anyone can read even if they are squeamish?

Destiny Moore is honest about the afflictions the women suffered. And while she does write about them having pus filling their mouths, losing jaw bones, etc, …moreMoore is honest about the afflictions the women suffered. And while she does write about them having pus filling their mouths, losing jaw bones, etc, she does not attempt to make it gory. I would say she takes more of a medical stance describing them, than say a science fiction stance. Her aim was to educate and so the statements are factual. (less)

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Remember while reading, that most Americans were not told the truth about the power of radium and the dangers. Question is, what are they still not telling us?