Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats

By Kristen Iversen

A haunting memoir and investigative exposé of America’s nuclear secrets and the cost of silence. In this award-winning work, Kristen Iversen blends personal narrative with hard-hitting journalism to uncover the hidden legacy of Rocky Flats—a secret nuclear weapons plant once dubbed “the most contaminated site in America.”

Book Synopsis

Growing up in a seemingly idyllic Colorado town, Iversen had no idea she lived in the shadow of a Cold War facility producing plutonium triggers for nuclear bombs. As she matured, so did her awareness of the strange illnesses, government cover-ups, and environmental devastation surrounding her. Full Body Burden is a gripping account of family secrets, community betrayal, and the long fight for justice—based on interviews, FBI and EPA documents, and class-action testimony. It’s a chilling reminder of the dangers of ignoring science in the name of national security.

Perfect For

• Readers of memoir, environmental justice, and Cold War history
• Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Silkwood
• Students of investigative journalism and public health
• Book clubs exploring themes of secrecy, science, and accountability

Praise & Recognition

“An intimate and deeply human memoir… an essential and unforgettable book.”
—Rebecca Skloot

“Gripping… exquisitely researched… a superbly crafted tale of Cold War America’s dark underside.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

Winner of the Colorado Book Award and Reading the West Award

About the Author

Kristen Iversen is an award-winning author and professor of literary nonfiction at the University of Cincinnati. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, and Reader’s Digest. She is also the author of Molly Brown: Unraveling the Myth.

Other Related Titles

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• Silkwood by Howard Kohn
• Plutopia by Kate Brown
• Command and Control by Eric Schlosser

Product Details

• Publisher: Crown
• Publication Date: June 4, 2013
• Format: Paperback / eBook / Audiobook
• ISBN: 9780307955654
• Pages: 432
• Dimensions: 5.23 x 0.92 x 7.9 inches