Full Body Burden

Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats

By: Kristen Iversen

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Kristen Iversen

“An intimate and deeply human memoir that shows why we should all be concerned about nuclear safety, and the dangers of ignoring science in the name of national security.”—Rebecca Skloot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

A “powerful” (The New York Times) account of the government’s attempt to conceal the effects of the toxic waste released by a secret nuclear weapons plant in Colorado and a community’s vain search for justice—soon to be a feature documentary

WINNER OF THE COLORADO BOOK AWARD AND THE READING THE WEST BOOK AWARD

Kristen Iversen grew up in a small Colorado town close to Rocky Flats, a secret nuclear weapons plant once designated “the most contaminated site in America.” Full Body Burden is the story of a childhood and adolescence in the shadow of the Cold War, in a landscape at once startlingly beautiful and—unknown to those who lived there—tainted with invisible yet deadly particles of plutonium. It’s also a book about the destructive power of secrets—both family and government. Her father’s hidden liquor bottles, the strange cancers in children in the neighborhood, the truth about what was made at Rocky Flats—best not to inquire too deeply into any of it. But as Iversen grew older, she began to ask questions and discovered some disturbing realities.

Based on extensive interviews, FBI and EPA documents, and class-action testimony, this taut, beautifully written book is both captivating and unnerving.

A KIRKUS REVIEWS AND MOTHER JONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

captivating

I could not put it down. I had no idea about any of this. Very well written and great narration.

Real, Compelling

This book should be required reading in U. S. schools! It is the raw truth about nuclear warfare and it's consequences. Very well written and captivating, it is also one family's poignant, relatable, true story. I highly recommend it.

Important Information Every One should Know

At First I was not impressed with the story. The authors family is clearly dysfunctional.
It was hard to be sympathetic. The continuity was not the best. However the information
about our Nuclear program in Colorado was unbelievable . Rocky Flats was and IS one of the HOTTEST areas in the United States with plutonium pollution. Over all the information is compelling and a good "read" The narrator is very good.

So insightful

Great storytelling and very informative. I live in Arvada so Rocky Flats is very interesting to me.

A story that no one else wanted to tell.

What made the experience of listening to Full Body Burden the most enjoyable?

Relevance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

If you live near ANY government facility that is surrounded by a fence, this is a MUST-read. If you live near any of the government facilities that are discussed - by name, this is an actionable-read.

Two criticisms:
1. The audio quality of the first 45 minutes (...or so) is sub-standard. Don't be discouraged by this: keep listening.
2. The ending could have included more detail about the blitzkrieg-cleanup of the buildings and soil.

P.S. The local-alternative newspaper she mentions is named Westword. It has a web site where archival issues can be viewed. About 10 years ago, they did an investigative series on Rocky Flats that is thorough and provides supporting data/viewpoints to Ms. Iversen's material