Most of us would like to think that the story is based on civil negotiations between representatives from around the world. The fact is that war has always been a disease that not only spreads on battlefields, but also infects everyone who comes into contact with it. In the case of nuclear weapons, the United States, like many countries, has rushed to produce some of the deadliest weapons. Kristen Iversen shares her experiences regarding a nuclear production facility in Boulder Colorado called Rocky Flats. The events of Rocky Flats are fueled by secrecy and widespread danger. It is the integration of these concepts into various aspects of one's life that is the focus of Full Body Burden. In order to better understand the historical context of nuclear development, it seems as if Iversen immersed himself in a healthy dose of investigative journalism. The book primarily focuses on the events of Rocky Flats and his life through a nonfiction narrative interpretation. By offering a journalistic approach, Iversen allows the reader to easily build a relationship with the characters presented throughout the book. At times I found myself visualizing the intensity of the fires, the whirlwind of residents' emotions, and the lasting environmental impacts that would not only ravage Colorado, but also stain the reputation of what it means to be human. The title Full Body Burden refers to the amount of radioactive material present in a human body, which acts as an internal, continuous source of radiation. The parallels between his family life and the history of Rocky Flats are often very profound. Iversen describes a case in which mice took up residence in his walls, closets and heat ducts. The solution to their extermination is the use of small papers on the events surrounding Rocky Flats as well as the state of current nuclear operations. Today, the current state of nuclear power, energy, bombs, etc. represent only a small fraction of the dangers that infect our society. There's a larger web of individualism at play and I think she's trying to show that it's not just the US government's fault that they hold secrets, but that we as human beings , we must refrain from remaining passive in these situations. We must open our eyes and see that civilization is not as civilized as we might wish. It's time to move forward and change our attitude towards each other. This book is worth $12, especially considering Dow Chemical's strong presence in current news. Its size makes it ideal for travel and it's not a weekend read. It will definitely inspire you to do some mischief of your own.