Publication
Penguin Books (2020), 320 pages
Description
For many years, reporters had tried to get to the truth about Harvey Weinstein's treatment of women. Rumors of wrongdoing had long circulated. But in 2017, when Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey began their investigation into the prominent Hollywood producer for the New York Times, his name was still synonymous with power. During months of confidential interviews with top actresses, former Weinstein employees, and other sources, many disturbing and long-buried allegations were unearthed, and a web of onerous secret payouts and nondisclosure agreements was revealed. These shadowy settlements had long been used to hide sexual harassment and abuse, but with a breakthrough reporting technique Kantor and Twohey helped to expose it. But Weinstein had evaded scrutiny in the past, and he was not going down without a fight. He employed a team of high-profile lawyers, private investigators, and other allies to thwart the investigation. When Kantor and Twohey were finally able to convince some sources to go on the record, a dramatic final showdown between Weinstein and the New York Times was set in motion. Nothing could have prepared Kantor and Twohey for what followed the publication of their initial Weinstein story on October 5, 2017. Within days, a veritable Pandora's box of sexual harassment and abuse was opened. Women all over the world came forward with their own traumatic stories. Over the next twelve months, hundreds of men from every walk of life and industry were outed following allegations of wrongdoing. But did too much change -- or not enough? Those questions hung in the air months later as Brett Kavanaugh was nominated to the Supreme Court, and Christine Blasey Ford came forward to testify that he had assaulted her decades earlier. Kantor and Twohey, who had unique access to Ford and her team, bring to light the odyssey that led her to come forward, the overwhelming forces that came to bear on her, and what happened after she shared her allegation with the world.… (more)
Collection
User reviews
LibraryThing member barlow304
There are few new revelations in this book if the reader has followed the national reporting on Harvey Weinstein. On the other hand, the book provides a gripping account of how two persistent reporters, the authors Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, gradually unraveled the story of Weinstein's misdeeds.
Rather than threats or emotional blackmail, the reporters used empathy to lure the victims out of the darkness and silence so many non-disclosure agreements had created. The authors also show how a cottage industry of lawyers profited from the victims' misery. Lisa Bloom in particular comes in for a drubbing as the reporters document her attempts, however slimy, to get Harvey Weinstein off the hook. The memo she sent to Weinstein is quoted as length and is devastating to Bloom's credentials as an advocate for women.
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Even more important is the recounting of the reporters' attempts to break the silence of the victims, to get them on the record so that the article could be published.Rather than threats or emotional blackmail, the reporters used empathy to lure the victims out of the darkness and silence so many non-disclosure agreements had created. The authors also show how a cottage industry of lawyers profited from the victims' misery. Lisa Bloom in particular comes in for a drubbing as the reporters document her attempts, however slimy, to get Harvey Weinstein off the hook. The memo she sent to Weinstein is quoted as length and is devastating to Bloom's credentials as an advocate for women.
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LibraryThing member terran
I read this because it is a highly rated book by prize-winning authors on a topic of vital importance to women of all ages. I found it to be highly readable and well-paced, helping me understand the journalistic process of putting together a story over the course of years. The authors were
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concerned with verifying authenticity, protecting sources and their story, and also with the effects that the story would have on their witnesses. Bringing Harvey Weinstein to justice after decades of him abusing women in his employ, and documenting how he was abetted by men and women in covering up his crimes has led to important changes in workplace equality. Unfortunately there has also been a backlash that still cloaks the extent of the abuse that is tolerated in all levels of all segments of society. Show Less
LibraryThing member breic
The first part of this book, detailing the reporting of the Weinstein allegations, is interesting. Kantor and Twohey have to work very hard to get a story that shouldn't have been so hard (Weinstein ultimately had more than 80 accusers). The second part, describing Christine Blasey Ford's testimony
> the legal system and corporate culture has served to silence victims and still inhibits change. Businesses are co-opted into protecting predators. Some advocates for women profit from a settlement system that covers up misdeeds
> she wasn't even allowed to hold on to a complete copy of the paperwork. Instead she was allowed limited visitation rights—if she wanted to see it, she could view a copy at her lawyer's office
> The contract also promised continued "avatar operators" to create fake identities on social media, linguists, and "operations experts" to concentrate on "social engineering," all of whom would be advised by former heads of the Israeli intelligence services. If Black Cube was able to stop publication of the article, it would earn a $300,000 bonus.
> Why would they want the world to know that they had risen in their careers by enabling a man who seemed to be a predator?
> Starting in the fall of 2017, Paltrow had spent many hours on the phone with other women who told her that Weinstein, while harassing or assaulting them, would routinely cite her and her soaring career, falsely implying she had yielded to him. "He was pointing to my career and saying, 'Don't you want what she has?'"
> "To stand up on your own was quite something," Madden said. "Yeah, I didn't know if there were other people," Ford replied.
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against Kavanaugh, is much less interesting. There isn't any reporting work described (finding and talking to sources, negotiating, etc.), and instead we just get a straightforward description of the process, from Ford's point of view. It feels very disjointed from the first part, and more like a newspaper feature than a behind-the-scenes reporting story. Since I read and watch the news, I didn't learn much. Even though Kantor is very sympathetic to all her sources (perhaps too much so), Paltrow in particular comes across fairly negatively. > the legal system and corporate culture has served to silence victims and still inhibits change. Businesses are co-opted into protecting predators. Some advocates for women profit from a settlement system that covers up misdeeds
> she wasn't even allowed to hold on to a complete copy of the paperwork. Instead she was allowed limited visitation rights—if she wanted to see it, she could view a copy at her lawyer's office
> The contract also promised continued "avatar operators" to create fake identities on social media, linguists, and "operations experts" to concentrate on "social engineering," all of whom would be advised by former heads of the Israeli intelligence services. If Black Cube was able to stop publication of the article, it would earn a $300,000 bonus.
> Why would they want the world to know that they had risen in their careers by enabling a man who seemed to be a predator?
> Starting in the fall of 2017, Paltrow had spent many hours on the phone with other women who told her that Weinstein, while harassing or assaulting them, would routinely cite her and her soaring career, falsely implying she had yielded to him. "He was pointing to my career and saying, 'Don't you want what she has?'"
> "To stand up on your own was quite something," Madden said. "Yeah, I didn't know if there were other people," Ford replied.
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LibraryThing member Devil_llama
This book doesn't actually trace the history of a movement; it is mostly the story of one small part of that movement, though it does give some details on the Access Hollywood tape and the incident that launched Trump's reputation as pussy-grabber-in-chief. It spends most of its attention on the
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Harvey Weinstein story, how it broke, and who was willing to put their career on the line to go on the record. The details of the story are tawdry, but the authors do not linger on lurid sexual details. They deal with those in a clinical, evidence-presenting manner to avoid derailing the story into prurience. The gist of the story centers around the intimidation tactics used by Weinstein (and others on his behalf) to keep the story from breaking for decades. It was an open secret in Hollywood, and likely the only surprise was that someone actually managed to get the story out. The authors write well (as one would hope from professional journalists, but that isn't always the case) and stick to the story without a lot of personal anecdotes or other side trips to tangentially related or unrelated topics. It is difficult to read as the trial begins, unless one believes that somehow, against the odds, justice will be done, and Weinstein will join Bill Cosby in a cell somewhere. For those of us who believe he will likely get off, it can be only depressing to read the details. Show Less
LibraryThing member larryerick
Sure, this is indeed a book about Harvey Weinstein and the case that seemingly threw the flood gates wide open on the #MeToo movement. (It was purely coincidental that I started reading this as the verdict was coming out on Weinstein's trial.) Yes, there is plenty to dig into about that case. But
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those who read this book for that insight will soon find they also get a master class on professional newspaper journalism in the bargain. I would argue that it is that insight into journalism that tops the value in reading this book. Then, the reader gets another special add-on with the very deep dive into the woman who confronted a supreme court justice nominee, Christine Blasey Ford. The reporting goes well beyond the daily news stories that dominated the lives of so many Americans. Somehow, the phrase "behind the scenes" just doesn't do justice to what the book brings to the reader. Then, as if that isn't enough, the reporters pull off a truly remarkable coming-together of multiple #MeToo -- what? personalities? victims? heroines? advocates? -- for a once in a lifetime(?) gathering, sharing, discussion? Sorry, I'm at a loss. Just imagine Christine Blasey Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd, Ford's lawyers, numerous women you have read about in some of the news stories, and more that you read about for the first time in this book, from movie stars to a McDonald' worker, all talking together for the first time -- strangers until now -- about what has made them indelibly bonded together. Add to all this, the fact that this is a rather slender volume, it all testifies to how superb the two authors are at their craft. Very highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member KimMeyer
This isn't the story of Harvey Weinstein's victims or related news, but rather the story of how the story came to be. How the journalists researched and interviewed and corroborated and dealt with the desire to break the story but have it be solid. I'm fascinated by journalism and feminism so this
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was a no brainer read for me, and it's both thorough and compelling. Show Less
LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
A compelling story about the breaking of the Harvey Weinstein story and the amount of work it takes to help assault survivors come forward to the press. This is a well-written and sobering read about the responsibilities of the Free press in keeping the powerful accountable and giving voice to the
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voiceless. Show Less
LibraryThing member froxgirl
Was it smart to wait so long to read this incredible investigative journalism classic? Maybe. What completely different feelings are evoked by the writers' recounting of the Weinstein crimes vs the Kavanaugh hearings - one big win, one big loss (with worse repercussions). The story of how the NYT
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writers persistently pursued former Weinstein employees and famous actresses, all petrified to go up against the powerful producer, and more than a few bound by settlements that forbade them from speaking up, is as classic an investigation as Watergate. Now, on to Ronan Farrow. Show Less
LibraryThing member arosoff
This is a well written account of all the work that went into breaking the Harvey Weinstein story at the New York Times, and what followed on from that including Christine Blasey Ford's decision to come forward and testify to Congress. It's infuriating because it paints a picture of a legal system
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and culture that systematically protects abusers and leaves people (especially but not only women) vulnerable to abuse and assault. Show Less
LibraryThing member writemoves
This story reminds me of the Bernstein and Woodward book about Watergate. The two women authors are like detectives filtering out clues and trying to get reluctant witnesses to flip. Many women who had sordid stories to relate refused to cooperate with this book as they feared repercussions to
This is a story of great and responsible reporting. The authors deserve all the accolades they have received for their efforts.
There is a tragic element in the book concerning Christine Blasey Ford who claimed she was assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Her credible story was largely dismissed with contempt by Republicans in Congress.
All women should read it as well as men who who respect women and their struggles with sexual harassment and violence.
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their careers and reputations. Some who pretended to be partnered with the "me too" movement like Lisa Bloom were working to protect Weinstein.This is a story of great and responsible reporting. The authors deserve all the accolades they have received for their efforts.
There is a tragic element in the book concerning Christine Blasey Ford who claimed she was assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Her credible story was largely dismissed with contempt by Republicans in Congress.
All women should read it as well as men who who respect women and their struggles with sexual harassment and violence.
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LibraryThing member AKBouterse
An excellent account of the reporting that came along with the #Metoo movement. This book covered Kantor and Twohey's reporting about Weinstein but also went beyond that one story and also discussed the Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearing and the aftermath that speaking out had on the various women who
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publicly did so. I read Ronan Farrow's book earlier this year and although there is significant cross-over between the two books, I would say there were more complementary to each other. Since each book focused on the authors reporting, both stories were distinct and this was was a broader exploration of Metoo. Even if you've already read Catch and Kill, I think you would benefit from reading this one as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member threadnsong
Oh. My gosh. What a terrific (and difficult) book. It is equivalent to [All the President's Men] in its scope, its research, and its honesty. The details of what both authors did in order to elicit the trust with the women who appeared in their story is much of the book. It is painful and honest
Kantor and Twohey also delve into the legal phenomenon of Non-Disclosure Agreements as a mainstay in keeping these deeds unpunished and unspoken. The women who were interviewed had been pressured to sign them so that yes, they got money for what they went through, but they were never, ever, able to tell anyone, not even a mother or a husband or a therapist. I would like to see some reckoning for the lawyers who pushed these NDAs, as they further harmed the women who had already been sexually abused.
Like "President's Men," the authors are terrific writers who know how to craft a longer story that makes this the only book to read (well, almost) until the end. And raising a toast to the women who spoke then and who are speaking now. You are making a difference in the world.
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and unnerving that so many women were harmed, all in the same way, and yet none felt safe enough to speak out for years. Kantor and Twohey also delve into the legal phenomenon of Non-Disclosure Agreements as a mainstay in keeping these deeds unpunished and unspoken. The women who were interviewed had been pressured to sign them so that yes, they got money for what they went through, but they were never, ever, able to tell anyone, not even a mother or a husband or a therapist. I would like to see some reckoning for the lawyers who pushed these NDAs, as they further harmed the women who had already been sexually abused.
Like "President's Men," the authors are terrific writers who know how to craft a longer story that makes this the only book to read (well, almost) until the end. And raising a toast to the women who spoke then and who are speaking now. You are making a difference in the world.
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LibraryThing member Bodagirl
This is an incredibly important book, giving a behind the scenes peek of the investigative journalism that broke the ongoing Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal and insight into Christine Blasey's testimony at Kavanaugh's hearing. The first two thirds of the book were faster paced and had almost
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thriller quality, but the abrupt switch from Weinstein's victims to Kavanaugh in chapter eight was abrupt and a little unexpected. To me, this book has been so connected to the former that it lost some steam. I did end up appreciating the additional insight into Blasey's state of mind and intention, which is very different than what I remember of the media portrayal. I won't say I enjoyed the book, but I learned a lot. Show Less
LibraryThing member Micareads
On October 5, 2017, the New York Times ran an article detailing how Harvey Weinstein, famed movie producer, sexually harassed females who met him for roles in movies as well as those young females who worked for his company. There had always been rumors of his treatment of those women but no one
The story is narrated in part by the authors and another young woman named Rebecca Lowman who did a wonderful job in telling the story of so many women and never taking away from the story. It was amazing to hear these stories finally come to light. If you are interested in reading the original article, please click here. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or harassment, please know there is help. You can reach out to National Sexual Assault Hotline for help reaching those you need.
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was ever willing to come forward…until now. The journalists covering the story, Kantor and Twohey, interview women they believe have been victimized by the producer and discover a paper of payments and ultra-restricting NDAs. When the scandal finally made its way to the public, the authors are contacted by someone else…a woman who claimed she had been assaulted by a Supreme Court nominee when they were in high school. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is made to testify before Congress about the intimate details of her life and that night in high school. These cases helped empower the #MeToo movement created by Tarana Burke and people shared their own stories of harassment and assault to show that it happened to everyone.The story is narrated in part by the authors and another young woman named Rebecca Lowman who did a wonderful job in telling the story of so many women and never taking away from the story. It was amazing to hear these stories finally come to light. If you are interested in reading the original article, please click here. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or harassment, please know there is help. You can reach out to National Sexual Assault Hotline for help reaching those you need.
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LibraryThing member Okies
A good read. I'd followed this story closely but this puts you in the newsroom as the journalists go about unveiling this story. It's got good tempo. If anything it could be more personal about who the authors are - they must have been so deeply affected by this story and there could be more about
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how this work impacted them. Show Less
LibraryThing member KurtWombat
Fascinating. From the investigative work uncovering the vast history of Harvey Weinstein's sexual assaults on women to the powder keg of the ME TOO movement ignited by that work--fascinating. I'm almost sixty (I write the word because I find the number daunting) and fortunately have been quite
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liberal from a young age. Even so, gender stereotypes that served a male dominant power structure were deeply ingrained in me. Sure more women should be doctors but having a just a few around seemed satisfactory. Someday there will be more. Sure women should be directing major motion pictures--there are a couple. One day there will be more. Etc. And by extension, sexual abuse and harassment are bad but it doesn't happen that often and it will soon go away (and it's only done by strangers). Our culture has long been calcified by these conceits. I knew better. The smartest and most dedicated people I knew were mostly women. I was blessed to be considered a good listener and was stunned to find out how many women I knew had suffered abuse. Once I was married a whole new pipeline of second hand stories entered my life. The extent of such things is heartbreaking. Even knowing all this, I can still feel the box of stereotypes around me. Maybe I had just given up hope that serious change was possible in my lifetime. But the world feels different now. Sure it appears chaotic but that's what happens when you find that crack and push your way up through the ice. There have been advances before but the battles today for racial, gender, and Lgbtqi+ rights feel like they will not stop. I just have to see the fear on the faces of their oppressors to feel this way (fear is most often expressed as hate). So this book fascinates as a You Are There at the dawn of great possibilities. Show Less
Awards
BookTube Prize (Octofinalist — Nonfiction — 2020)
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Nonfiction — 2019)
NPR: Books We Love (2019)
The New York Times Notable Books of the Year (Nonfiction — 2019)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2019)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Non-Fiction — 2019)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2019)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Adults (Top Ten — 2019)
Pages
320
ISBN
052556036X / 9780525560364