Full Body Burden

Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats

De: Kristen Iversen

Narrado por: 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

Believable Disclosure

Would you listen to Full Body Burden again? Why?

I have listened to Full Body Burden several times. Each time I relate and tie more facts to other books, such as Area 51.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was methodical and easy to follow considering all the details.

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter and Kristen Iversen ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to every non-fiction book available by Kirsten Potter. Her voice has a soothing vibration which makes for easy listening. The tone of her voice keeps my interest. She speaks at a rate of speed that is easy to follow with clear enunciation. Kirsten has done a fabulous job of fine tuning her skills.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Once again I felt deep betrayal by the government with a resentment toward the Department of Energy. I feel sad for all of those effected by the officials lying and withholding vital information. The DOE is stealing taxpayers money to create dangerous materials that are no longer necessary because of the immense quantities of manufactured plutonium.

Any additional comments?

I applaud Kristen Iversen for recording the events throughout her life, then writing such tell it all book.

Excellent

Excellent historic detail through a personal lens. Unless you lack empathy, please ignore the reviews that complain about the dysfunctional family dynamic. The personal experiences add depth to what would otherwise be a powerful but dry account. Read “Paradise Falls” or “The Killing of Karen Silkwood” next!

scary story of Rocky Flats

very well written book, well documented, and scary as hell. having grown up in the shadow of Rocky flats, wonder how much contamination I've suffered, along with my siblings. cover up by the government is disgusting. only good thing is that they have decided not to build the major roadway because of disturbing plutonium. however, construction out that way continues and people buy houses near Rocky flats. incredibly dumbfounding

Creative Nonfiction at its Best

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

Kristen Iversen gives an intensely personal story of growing up next to Rocky Flats, a factory that made fusion bomb triggers and living with plutonium pollution. Iversen makes a great case that Rocky Flats is America's Chernobly catastrophe that was covered up by the U.S. government.

What other book might you compare Full Body Burden to and why?

I found Full Body Burden equal to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.

The Shadow Lengthens

Rocky Flats is with us still, a burden on the earth, a burden on our bodies, a burden on our psyches. This horrific story is the telling of innocent encounters with government treachery that spell eventual early death to many unsuspecting citizens of the United States of America. Is it acceptable to moral upstanding citizens to allow our political and corporate “servants” to make decisions secretly that may result in our death? No. What recourse do we have when evidence is sealed that would reveal the true culprits of these deadly decisions that result in the death of innocents? Our recourse is the internet social media platforms, the uberpowerful communications networks to which every citizen has access. I urge readers to push for justice, to spread this heretofore low-keyed but shocking story outward to global citizens. Let the world see our so-called leaders and corporate giants and courts who espouse profits over human lives and let them be seen as emperors who have no clothes. We will not be silenced. How many other plutonium producing sites in this world have similar horror stories that have been suppressed? Beware and be activated - go online to bring justice for those who have unknowingly been exposed to radiation and then been left to bear the expense of their own failing health.