Book Review: "She Said" by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
“She Said” by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
Publisher Synopsis: From the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters who broke the news of Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment and abuse for the New York Times, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the thrilling untold story of their investigation and its consequences for the #MeToo movement
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.
In the tradition of great investigative journalism, She Said tells a thrilling story about the power of truth, with shocking new information from hidden sources. Kantor and Twohey describe not only the consequences of their reporting for the #MeToo movement, but the inspiring and affecting journeys of the women who spoke up—for the sake of other women, for future generations, and for themselves.
Rating (out of 5): 5
Review: I love a journalism memoir. I hate the patriarchy. So, needless to say, I loved this book, which is an inside look at the time Pulitzer Prize winners Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey spent reporting on sexual assaulter Harvey Weinstein.
For those who don’t know, I went to journalism school, and, while it was never my desire to work for a newspaper and do serious investigative journalism, I have the utmost respect for those who do. It’s hard work, and, as demonstrated by some of the tactics Weinstein employs to scare off Kantor and Twohey, it can be dangerous, as well.
Told in the third person, this journalistic memoir details how they came to be investigating the claims against Weinstein; the many, many conversations they had with potential sources; and the lengths Weinstein went (and the lawyers he hired) to cover up his tracks. If you followed the Weinstein story, there is definitely some new information here—sources who are now being named for the first time; if you didn’t follow the Weinstein story, this is a comprehensive introduction to the news articles that eventually led to the downfalls of Les Moonves, Louis C.K., Matt Lauer, and more.
(I’ll also note that the reporters do give credit to their fellow journalists who were simultaneously working to break the Weinstein story, namely, Ronan Farrow. His book, “Catch and Kill,” comes out this week, and I can’t wait to read it.)
“She Said” also details the events leading up to Christine Blasey Ford’s congressional testimony during the hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Just about one year after Kantor and Twohey published the first piece on Weinsten, Blasey Ford was testifying about an alleged sexual assault that occurred in high school at the hands of Brett Kavanaugh. The book shares new, never-before-revealed information prior to the testimony, and conveys the anguish and paralyzing fear Blasey Ford felt, as her lawyers nudged her forward in each step.
After the confirmation of alleged sexual assaulter Brett Kavanaugh, Blasey Ford’s lawyers were divided when discussing if the post-#MeToo reckoning has been enough. Some felt that progress had been made, and the fact that Blasey Ford was even allowed to testify spoke volumes. Others felt that whatever progress had happened, was happening too slowly, as evidenced by the fact that Kavanaugh was still confirmed.
I’m divided. I do think that some progress has been made, but it obviously isn’t enough. It shouldn’t take a national shaming for a high-powered man to lose his job (see: Matt Lauer, Les Moonves, etc…) and it shouldn’t take the testimony of more than 40 victims for a man to finally be brought to justice (see: Bill Cosby). These are also all powerful men in the spotlight. What about men in less prominent, but still powerful positions, all over the country? There has always been a power imbalance, and until we overcome that, men and women will never be on equal ground.
One thing this book really cemented for me is that each of have to use the skills we have to fight the patriarchy in our own way. Kantor and Twohey, while impartial reporters, used their investigative journalism skills to bring down a serial offender. Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow used their star power to demonstrate that no matter how successful you are, there is still a power imbalance that disproportionally favors men. Christine Blasey Ford used her scientific communication skills to clearly, credibly answer the Senate Judiciary Committee’s questions.
I’d like to think that mine has always been, communicating an opinion in a clear, concise way. (Remember I mentioned journalism school? I thrived writing opinion columns.) And, to those who cast doubt by saying that those actresses shouldn’t have gone to Harvey’s hotel rooms, that Chanel Miller drank too much, to those who blame victims—you have no idea how you would react if you were a young actress desperate for your big break and afraid to upset the boss. If you were a young assistant eager to make a good impression. If you were threatened. If you were told you’d never work in that industry again. The power imbalance will not change if we tell women not to drink too much or not to wear short skirts. It will only change when boys and men are taught to respect women, to respect bodily autonomy, that there are consequences for their actions, and “boys will be boys” and “locker room talk” are no longer acceptable excuses—whether you are the President of the United States, or anyone else.
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, rape, general misogyny
TL;DR: The definitive account of the beginning of #MeToo, this is Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s memoir of the time they spent reporting on Harvey Weinstein, and culminates with an inside look at the days leading up to Christine Blasey Ford’s congressional testimony during the confirmation hearing of alleged sexual assaulter Brett Kavanaugh. Absolutely worth the read.
If you liked this, try:
“Know My Name” by Chanel Miller (this one is next for me; read Elizabeth’s review here)
“Chasing Cosby” by Nicki Weisensee Egan (the only other one on this list I haven’t read, but it seems fitting)
“Asking For It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It” by Kate Harding
“All the President’s Men” by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
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