The Girls of Atomic City

One of my favorite new books is, The Girls of Atomic City, The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan. I had heard about it from several people and finally got a copy when I was visiting the Bradbury Science Museum at Los Alamos, New Mexico. While this book was purchased far from its East Tennessee setting, its main characters played a prominent role in the work and activities of the Los Alamos National Lab even though they were not aware of their connection.

Although my hometown is only thirty miles from the Atomic city, there was so much I did not know about this community then or now. Kiernan’s book helped me fill in some gaps and also made me curious enough to spend a day touring Oak Ridge. I came away with a deeper understanding of the Manhattan Project’s impact on East Tennessee and the world. But I was especially intrigued by the women who were the key players in this real life drama. There are so many stories yet to be told about the people and places of WWII, but The Girls of Atomic City is a great starting point. Be prepared for inspiration, insight and interesting information about Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and its early citizens.