CLEARFIELD – Gayle Gearhart received a warm reception for her review of The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kieman.
Her talk was the second of four book discussions held weekly through April 20 and sponsored by the Clearfield Branch of AAUW.
Gearhart was drawn to this book because it was a behind-the-scenes account of an important chapter in her parents’ lives. When she bought the book she paged eagerly through it to see if her parents appeared in any of the pictures. They didn’t.
In 1944 Fred Gearhart, with wife Frances and daughter Sylvia, had just finished working on a big project in Washington, D.C. – “a strange building with 5 sides.” With his electrical skills he was strongly encouraged by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to relocate to a brand new “secret city” in Oakland, Tenn.
This was the place where all good patriots were gathering to work on a hush-hush project that would end the war and bring “our boys” home. This project was, of course, the Manhattan Project – Atomic Bomb, but the workers in Oakland (the city never appeared on a map until 1949) only knew they were working on a “product” that would later be used in a “gadget.”
Soon Fred and Frances and Sylvia were settled in a small trailer. The work force was diversified, working in separate and isolated areas. Both parents worked, but like all the others there, individuals’ jobs were not discussed – ever!
Spies were everywhere. Signs read: What you see here, What you do here, What you hear here, When you leave, Let it stay here. Gearhart said, “The area was surrounded by barbed wire and towers with armed guards, yet the workers were well paid.” She compared it to a friendly concentration camp.
The book reinforced and explained so much to Gearhart. She had her parents’ stories of their time there, but as she said, “They didn’t know what they were doing.”
The book satisfies on several levels. It is an accurate history of the role of the bomb in World War II, the science of the making of the bomb (explained in easy to understand language) and alternating chapters explore personal interest stories of real people.
In addition, Gearhart applauds Kieman’s ability as a writer. She transforms her research into an excellent, wonderfully readable book.
Gearhart closed with two concerns. One, “How easily people can be manipulated. Do the process. Become part of the machine. Don’t ask questions.” And finally, “Talk to family members. Ask questions about their lives. Record their memories before it is too late.”
Next week’s Books-Sandwiched-In review features Betty Buckell discussing Don’t Stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk. Lunch is served at 12 p.m. with the review immediately after. A $4 donation funds the AAUW scholarship program.
Call Shaw Library 814-765-3271 for reservations and more information. Please make your reservation by Monday, 5 p.m., so volunteers will have time for food preparation.
