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Full Body Burden

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2012

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Book Brief

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Kristen Iversen

Full Body Burden

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Colorado • 1950s-1990s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1030L

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Super Short Summary

Full Body Burden: Growing up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats is a 2012 nonfiction account by Kristen Iversen, blending memoir and investigative journalism. It details Iversen’s life near Denver, Colorado, focusing on her family's dynamics and the nearby Rocky Flats nuclear facility, which secretly produced plutonium triggers for atomic bombs. The book covers the facility’s history, environmental contamination, public protests, government investigations, and legal battles regarding radioactive pollution, alongside Iversen’s personal growth and career. Sensitive topics include familial substance abuse and environmental health risks due to radiation exposure.

Informative

Unnerving

Melancholic

Contemplative

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.3

5,080 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Full Body Burden by Kristen Iversen is lauded for its gripping narrative and thorough research, blending a personal memoir with an exposé on the Rocky Flats nuclear plant. Positive insights highlight its detailed investigative journalism and emotional depth. Criticisms include a perceived imbalance between personal anecdotes and broader historical context, sometimes affecting the narrative flow.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Full Body Burden?

A reader who would enjoy Kristen Iversen’s Full Body Burden is interested in environmental issues, memoirs, and Cold War history. Fans of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring or Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks may find it particularly compelling for its merging of personal narrative with investigative journalism.

4.3

5,080 ratings

78%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Kristen Iversen

The author and narrator who chronicles her experiences growing up near the Rocky Flats nuclear plant and her evolving understanding of its impact, alongside her personal struggles with family dynamics.

Iversen's father, who works as a lawyer and grapples with alcoholism, creating a tense family environment and facing legal issues over time.

Iversen's mother, who copes with the challenges of family secrecy and financial strain while maintaining a turbulent relationship with her husband.

Iversen's younger sister, known for her rebellious nature and strong-willed actions within the family.

Another of Iversen's sisters, an environmental activist and horseback riding enthusiast who carries her passion for activism into adulthood.

The youngest sibling in the Iversen family, who endures recurring health problems that cause concern due to the proximity to Rocky Flats.

Iversen's college boyfriend, who shares her love for adventure and holds strong anti-war and anti-nuclear views.

A neighbor and later a colleague of Iversen at Rocky Flats, whose professional experiences reflect the plant's hazardous environment.

The Jefferson County Board of Health director known for his studies on nuclear contamination and the health impacts of Rocky Flats.

A local activist opposing Rocky Flats' operations, known for her participation in demonstrations and notable interactions with public figures.

A nun active in social justice causes, especially at Rocky Flats, who participates in symbolic protest actions at the plant.

One of the few female security guards at Rocky Flats, who witnesses the tension between management and activists during protests.

An FBI agent leading the significant raid on Rocky Flats, instrumental in uncovering environmental misconduct at the facility.

A whistleblower at Rocky Flats who provides crucial information to the FBI despite facing significant personal and professional backlash.

The foreman of the grand jury trial following the FBI raid on Rocky Flats, astonished by the trial's findings and implications.

A Philadelphia attorney representing landowners in a lawsuit against Rocky Flats, dedicated to the case throughout his career.

Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Colorado • 1950s-1990s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1030L

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