Recruited not only from labs and universities from across the United States but also from countries abroad, these scientists helped in -- and often initiated -- the development of the atomic bomb, taking starring roles in the Manhattan Project. In fact, their involvement was critical to its success, though many of them were not fully aware of the consequences. The atomic women include: Lise Meitner and Iraene Joliot-Curie (daughter of Marie Curie), who led the groundwork for the Manhattan Project from Europe; Elizabeth Rona, the foremost expert in plutonium, who gave rise to the "Fat Man" and "Little Boy," the bombs dropped over Japan; Leona Woods, Elizabeth Graves, and Joan Hinton, who were inspired by European scientific ideals but carved their own paths.

A European beginning -- All that glitters -- A shy and quiet girl -- A life in learning -- Power couple -- In exile -- A secret project -- Bomb making in America -- Two of a kind -- The general and the scientist -- American life -- Recruiting -- Leona -- Coworkers -- The reactor -- Diz -- The professor and the apprentice -- Chicago pile 1 -- The Los Alamos visit -- Coming to America -- Trinity -- The end and the beginning.