In 1943, the Army transforms Oak Ridge, Tennessee, into a secret city of thousands of workers building the weapon that will end the war, though almost none of them know what they are making. June Walker, a young woman from the hills, takes a factory job and joins the women who watch dials, uncertain of the purpose. Cici Nelson, a girl from a wealthy background, hunts for adventure and a husband. A physicist, Joe Fitzgerald, wrestles with the moral weight of the work. Janet Beard interleaves their stories with friendships, romance and the pressure of secrecy.
Those who enjoy home-front historical fiction and want to see what the Manhattan Project meant to ordinary workers will find a detailed, human look at this period.
Practical and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2018
- Language
- EN
