A skillful recounting of the
establishment and operation of Oak Ridge, Tennessee through the eyes of the
girls (women) who worked there. The occasional interruption of the story by a
companion story of the scientific working to create the atomic bomb was mildly
irritating. I read an e-book before publication and there were significant
errors of punctuation and numerous “lost” words. I assume these were corrected
before publication.
I just bought the "real"
book and would recommend that you get this and NOT the ebook. The pictures and
other "extras" make a MUCH more enjoyable read. The thumbnail
sketches of the "girls" helps keep the characters straight. The book
bounces from girl to girl and topic to topic so the sketches are vital to an
intelligent read of this book. Lots of information about a part of WWII history
that is often overlooked.
The women’s stories were intimate
and spared no sensibilities. I was surprised at the rampant racism – Blacks
lived in “hutments” and were separated from their husbands and families while
white women lived in single family houses with their husbands and families or
in single sex dorms. Blacks and women were paid less than males doing the same
jobs.
The strain of being separated from
community and not knowing anything beyond the basics of job you did was
significant. Letters both to and from parents were censored and contained so
much “black out” that one parent told her daughter to not bother to write any
more because her letters were simply gibberish.
Despite the restrictions what could
be said even to other workers, love did find a way to bloom and recreational
dances and other events were carried out. One creative woman found a way to use
discarded materials to make biscuits and cornbread for workers longing for
taste of home.
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