The Radium Girls - Kate Moore

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was so interesting. It was incredibly readable but very hard to read due to the content and all the names.

Radium Girls is the stories of the women dial painters in the early part of the 20th century (and even as recently as 1978) who were mislead about the safety of their work with radium. Often times leading to a painful and early death.

First, I can't believe none of this is ever covered in history classes. At all. Despite the fact the law suits these ladies filed are the basis for modern-day OSHA and other worker safety legislation and oversight.

Secondly, the ridiculousness these companies were able to get away with. Yes, in the beginning when it wasn't sure the cause and radium was widely believed safe, I can give them the benefit of the doubt. But that benefit doesn't last long as they fight tooth and nail to deny all culpability and responsibility. Despicable.

There were a lot of names. There are some pretty gory medical specifics. There is a lot that will stir anger in the soul. But absolutely and totally worth reading.

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The Polygamist's Daughter - Anna LeBaron

The Polygamist's Daughter by Anna LeBaron
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think my empathetic bone is broken. On one level, I realize that Anna's experiences are horrific and her upbringing so damaging. However, on another level, I just didn't feel anything for her. I'm not sure if it's the way it was written. Or the fact I average 5 hours of sleep a night between my 2- and 4-year-old's wakings so my emotions are dead.
I do admire how Anna has overcome all the things in her past to be the strong woman she appears to be today.

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