SHE SAID by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey

From the Jacket

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.

My Thoughts

Going into SHE SAID, I was expecting the story behind Kantor and Twohey’s investigation into Harvey Weinstein.  But SHE SAID is so much more than that.  The first 3/4 or so does tell the Weinstein story–moreover, the stories of the women he assaulted and how he was able to get away with it for so long–but the rest of the book focuses on the Me Too movement as a whole.  I was pleasantly surprised to see Dr. Christine Blasey Ford make an appearance.  I remember sitting in front of the TV watching the Kavanaugh hearing for hours, so it was fascinating to read a behind-the-scenes take from Jodi and Megan.

“‘There isn’t ever going to be an end,’ she said.  ‘The point is that people have to continue always speaking up.  And not being afraid.'”

SHE SAID is an emotionally challenging read.  At some points, it reads like a thriller–I was on the edge of my seat, ripping through the pages.  At other points, I was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and had to pause while reading because it was too emotionally powerful.  Kantor and Twohey are such incredible writers; they will make you feel furious, make you laugh and cry over the span of just a few pages.  Pick up SHE SAID if you’re looking for a thrilling narrative of the Me Too movement or a fascinating, unputdownable investigative journalism story.