The New York Times bestseller; now available in paperback—an incredible true story of the top-secret World War II town of Oak Ridge; Tennessee; and the young women brought there unknowingly to help build the atomic bomb.“The best kind of nonfiction: marvelously reported; fluidly written; and a remarkable story...As meticulous and brilliant as it is compulsively readable.†—Karen Abbott; author of Sin in the Second CityAt the height of World War II; Oak Ridge; Tennessee; was home to 75;000 residents; and consumed more electricity than New York City; yet it was shrouded in such secrecy that it did not appear on any map. Thousands of civilians; many of them young women from small towns across the U.S.; were recruited to this secret city; enticed by the promise of solid wages and war-ending work. What were they actually doing there? Very few knew. The purpose of this mysterious government project was kept a secret from the outside world and from the majority of the residents themselves. Some wondered why; despite the constant work and round-the-clock activity in this makeshift town; did no tangible product of any kind ever seem to leave its guarded gates? The women who kept this town running would find out at the end of the war; when Oak Ridge’s secret was revealed and changed the world forever.Drawing from the voices and experiences of the women who lived and worked in Oak Ridge; The Girls of Atomic City rescues a remarkable; forgotten chapter of World War II from obscurity. Denise Kiernan captures the spirit of the times through these women: their pluck; their desire to contribute; and their enduring courage. “A phenomenal story;†and Publishers Weekly called it an “intimate and revealing glimpse into one of the most important scientific developments in history.â€â€œKiernan has amassed a deep reservoir of intimate details of what life was like for women living in the secret city...Rosie; it turns out; did much more than drive rivets.†—The Washington Post
#354275 in Books 2015-03-01Format: UnabridgedOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.70l; #File Name: 1443871303320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A theory of the biological underpinnings of the history of civiliztion and its impact on the future of humanity.By CustomerThis book; Biohistory: the Decline and Fall of the West; is one of the best; and most thought provoking books I've ever read. While it's not intended for the average reader; but for academics; it was easily comprehensible and readable. Though a bit abstract; I found it the most difficult book to put down. The theory of Biohistory; as presented in the book; is nothing short of spectacular. Though the book is not a book about religion; it does discuss the impact of religion on the evolution of civilization with great insight; especially modern religion. My understanding of the impact of the various religions on their civilizing effects on humanity has been tremendously informed. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wished to know the biological underpinnings of the history of civilization. It is truly a stunning work of great importance.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. fresh takeBy Customerauthor combines culture and biology into a theory of worldwide civilizational rise and fall. author largely dismisses both environmental happenstance (a la guns germs steel) and genetic determinism (like inherent western/European superiority); which is enough to annoy pretty much every reader (including me!).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy M A Hamelgood background
