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 shocking 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

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.

©2012 Kristen Iversen (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Full Body Burden is one of the most important stories of the nuclear era - as personal and powerful as Silkwood, told with the suspense and narrative drive of The Hot Zone. With unflinching honesty, Kristen Iverson has written 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. Rocky Flats needs to be part of the same nuclear discussion as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima. So does Full Body Burden. It's an essential and unforgettable book that should be talked about in schools and book clubs, online and in the White House." (Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks)

"What a surprise! You don't expect such (unobtrusively) beautiful writing in a book about nuclear weapons, nor such captivating storytelling. Plus the facts are solid and the science told in colloquial but never dumbed-down terms. If I could afford them, I'd want the movie rights. Having read scores of nuclear books, I venture a large claim: Kristin Iversen's Full Body Burden may be a classic of nuclear literature, filling a gap we didn't know existed among Hersey's Hiroshima, Burdick and Wheeler's Fail-Safe, and Kohn's Who Killed Karen Silkwood?" (Mark Hertsgaard, author of Nuclear Inc. and HOT)

"This terrifyingly brilliant book - as perfectly crafted and meticulously assembled as the nuclear bomb triggers that lie at its core - is a savage indictment of the American strategic weapons industry, both haunting in its power, and yet wonderfully, charmingly human as a memoir of growing up in the Atomic Age." (Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman and Atlantic)

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!

Great book!!

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

I liked the investigative journalism aspects and her "primary" source experiences in and around Rocky Flats. I found the government coverup disconcerting to say to least and I was appalled at the apparent lack of compassion and understanding the government displayed with respect to the numerous cancer and other radiological illnesses that occurred as a result of Rocky Flats.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The coverup

What does Kirsten Potter and Kristen Iversen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I recently got an electric car, so having a quiet vehicle on my way to work really allows me to enjoy audio books. Before this, the drumming of the engine would make listening difficult, but now, it's crystal clear and I think enhanced the experience.

Any additional comments?

The only issue I have is I would have loved for her to dive deeper into the fires that happened at Rocky Flats. What did they do to clean up these problems, and what happened to all those men who fought those fires. I would have liked to know more about her Father and his drinking and maybe some background on what may have caused his alcoholism, that would have been something I would have enjoyed learning more about.

Eye opening and personal

Very well written. She makes the story "real". Must read if you are interested in our nuclear history. I had no idea how poorly managed and dangerous the place was when I lived in Boulder.

Devastating story well told

I first heard about this book as a great example of personal history (or family history) woven with a larger social and historical topic. The two threads are seamlessly intertwined in the story and in this audio version of it. One doesn't get stuck wondering why we are listening to any part of the tale. The history of nuclear weapons production is devastating--this small book speaks against the imposed and defended silencing of data and experience (as close to truth as we get, even in this nightmare of a political time) by the US government. I'd suggest The Chorus of Stones to anyone who enjoys Full Body Burden.