The Killing of Karen Silkwood

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Karen Silkwood, an employee at the Kerr-McGee plutonium processing plant, died in a car crash in 1974 while on her way to deliver critical documents to a reporter. A union activist focused on health and safety concerns, her suspicious death at age twenty-eight raised questions about possible retaliation from Kerr-McGee or a broader conspiracy involving the Atomic Energy Commission, FBI, and CIA. Richard Rashke examines the various charges, theories, and facts surrounding her case, drawing conclusions based on available evidence. Originally published in 1981, this work captures the intense societal tensions of the 1970s and serves as an important historical document. It features complex characters and provides an insider’s perspective on the nuclear industry. The issues of whistle-blowing, worker safety, environmental concerns, and nuclear vulnerability remain relevant today, decades after Silkwood's tragic accident. In this second edition, Rashke includes a preface and three additional chapters that delve into what has been learned about Silkwood since the original publication, the fates of key individuals involved, and the lasting impact of the events surrounding her death.