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Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The Girls of Atomic City" by Denise Kiernan

Take a look through previous titles we've discussed at our Islington Branch Book Club

About the Author: Denise Kiernan

Early Life: She was born in Rochester, New York, and she grew up in the Rochester area.

Education: Denise Kiernan attended the University of Rochester, where she studied history.

Writing Career:

  • Denise Kiernan has had a diverse writing career, contributing to various publications and working in different genres.
  • She is known for her focus on historical topics, often bringing lesser-known stories to a wider audience.
  • One of her notable works is "The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II," published in 2013. The book explores the experiences of women working on the Manhattan Project during World War II.
  • Kiernan's writing style combines thorough research with a narrative approach, making history accessible and engaging for a broad readership.

Other Works:

  • In addition to "The Girls of Atomic City," Denise Kiernan has authored other books, including "Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence" (with Joseph D'Agnese) and its sequel "Signing Their Rights Away."
  • She has also written "The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home," which delves into the history of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

Media and Public Engagement:

  • Denise Kiernan has been involved in various media projects, including radio and television.
  • She has spoken at events and conferences, sharing her insights into historical research and storytelling.

Denise Kiernan's work is characterized by a commitment to uncovering lesser-known aspects of history and presenting them in a compelling and accessible manner. Her books often focus on individuals or groups whose stories may have been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.

Synopsis

In this book the author traces the story of the unsung World War II workers in Oak Ridge, Tennessee through interviews with dozens of surviving women and other Oak Ridge residents. This is the story of the young women of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, who unwittingly played a crucial role in one of the most significant moments in U.S. history. The Tennessee town of Oak Ridge was created from scratch in 1942. One of the Manhattan Project's secret cities, it did not appear on any maps until 1949, and yet at the height of World War II it was using more electricity than New York City and was home to more than 75,000 people, many of them young women recruited from small towns across the South. Their jobs were shrouded in mystery, but they were buoyed by a sense of shared purpose, close friendships, and a surplus of handsome scientists and Army men. But against this wartime backdrop, a darker story was unfolding. The penalty for talking about their work, even the most innocuous details, was job loss and eviction. One woman was recruited to spy on her coworkers. They all knew something big was happening at Oak Ridge, but few could piece together the true nature of their work until the bomb "Little Boy" was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, and the secret was out. The shocking revelation: the residents of Oak Ridge were enriching uranium for the atomic bomb. Though the young women originally believed they would leave Oak Ridge after the war, many met husbands there, made lifelong friends, and still call the seventy-year-old town home. The reverberations from their work there, work they did not fully understand at the time, are still being felt today.

Discussion Questions

  1. The title, "The Girls of Atomic City," suggests a focus on women. How did the roles and contributions of women during the Manhattan Project challenge or conform to societal norms of the time?

  2. Denise Kiernan highlights the secrecy surrounding the project. How did the culture of secrecy impact the daily lives and relationships of the women in Oak Ridge?

  3. The book introduces several women with diverse backgrounds and motivations. Whose story resonated with you the most, and why?

  4. The author describes Oak Ridge as a "secret city." How did the creation of Oak Ridge impact the local community and the lives of those who lived there?

  5. The ethical implications of the Manhattan Project are explored in the book. How did the women grapple with the knowledge of their work contributing to the development of the atomic bomb?

  6. The book touches on the racial segregation that existed in Oak Ridge. How did this segregation impact the experiences of African American women working on the project?

  7. The theme of patriotism and duty runs throughout the book. In what ways did the women in Oak Ridge express their patriotism, and how did their contributions shape the war effort?

  8. Discuss the friendships and relationships that developed among the women in Oak Ridge. How did the shared experience of working on the project foster connections, and what challenges did they face?

  9. The book includes details about the scientific and technical aspects of the Manhattan Project. How did the women, who often had limited knowledge of the overall project, navigate their roles in contributing to a project of such magnitude?

  10. Denise Kiernan provides a mix of personal narratives and historical context. How does this narrative style enhance the storytelling and your understanding of the events?

  11. Reflect on the impact of the atomic bomb on history and the world. How did the women in Oak Ridge come to terms with their involvement in a project with such far-reaching consequences?

  12. Consider the legacy of Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project today. How has the history of Oak Ridge shaped the community and influenced public perception of the atomic bomb?

MLN Materials

  • book 
  • large print book
  • spoken CD

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