The Radium Girls by Kate Moore chronicles the devastating effects of radium poisoning on young female workers at the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation and Radium Dial, and their subsequent legal battle against the corporations. The book tells a cautionary tale about the dangers of corporate greed and the lack of health regulations, highlighting the bravery and perseverance of women like Katherine Schaub and Catherine Donohue. The book contains graphic descriptions of medical conditions and procedures.

Kate Moore's The Radium Girls is praised for its gripping storytelling and thorough research, bringing to light the tragic and inspiring stories of the women poisoned by radium in the early 20th century. However, some reviews note that the narrative occasionally gets bogged down by excessive detail, potentially slowing the pace. Overall, it's a compelling read that captivates and educates.

Readers captivated by real-life stories of resilience, women's history, and industrial disasters will find The Radium Girls by Kate Moore compelling. Fans of Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot will appreciate the meticulous research and narrative of triumph over injustice.

Kate Moore

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Radium Girls reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Radium Girls | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Radium Girls and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Radium Girls Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

The Radium Girls Prologue Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Knowledge”

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-8

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 4-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-12

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 13-19

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 13-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 20-25

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 20-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Power”

Part 2, Chapters 26-30

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 26-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 31-36

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 31-36 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 37-40

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 37-40 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Justice”

Part 3, Chapters 41-47

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 41-47 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 48-52

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 48-52 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 53-56

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 53-56 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue and Postscript

The Radium Girls Epilogue and Postscript Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

The Radium Girls Key Figures

theme

Themes

The Radium Girls Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Radium Girls Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

The Radium Girls Literary Devices

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

The Radium Girls Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Radium Girls Essay Topics

Introduction

The Radium Girls Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

The Radium Girls Before Reading

During Reading

The Radium Girls During Reading

After Reading

The Radium Girls After Reading

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

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Radium Girls?

Reading Age

Book Details