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She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement

Jodi Kantor,

Megan Twohey

4.42 · Rating details · 12,873 ratings · 1,584 reviews

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 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. ...more

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Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Published September 10th 2019 by Penguin Press

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Sep 16, 2019 Lex Kent rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction

I really am a fiction girl, but every once in a while a true story or biography will catch my attention. She Said, is written by the two women NYT reporters that helped to take Harvey Weinstein down and poured gasoline on the #Me Too movement. This is the inside story of all the witnesses, sexual assault survivors, and enablers of Weinstein. Since this was one of the biggest stories of the decade, I thought it was important enough to take the time to read.

I want to mention the big stars first. I really am a fiction girl, but every once in a while a true story or biography will catch my attention. She Said, is written by the two women NYT reporters that helped to take Harvey Weinstein down and poured gasoline on the #Me Too movement. This is the inside story of all the witnesses, sexual assault survivors, and enablers of Weinstein. Since this was one of the biggest stories of the decade, I thought it was important enough to take the time to read.

I want to mention the big stars first. I knew before reading this that Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan were a couple of badasses, but truthfully Judd is way more impressive than I ever realized. Also, I have to give a little shout out to Brad Pitt. Not many people ever confronted Harvey about his behavior but Brad went right after him and told him to never touch his girlfriend again. His girlfriend at the time was Gwyneth Paltrow. There are other actresses that Harvey abused but these three are the main ones the book centers on.

I did hear a lot about the stars the Harvey assaulted and raped but I didn’t realize the extent of just normal every day employees that he terrorized. He assaulted women for close to 30 years. Heck it may even be longer, almost 30 years is just what they have information on.

While hearing accounts of all the sexual harassment, assault, and rape was not easy on my stomach, what bothered me even more were all the people that enabled him. The people that helped silence the women and cared more about the Weinstein Company or what Harvey could do for their career, than cared about the women being attacked. And I have to say a big Fuck You to Lisa Bloom, Judas to women everywhere.

When it came to reading the book I was hooked. The story draws you in and you don’t want to stop reading. I have a lot of respect for the two investigative journalists that worked on this piece for years before they went public. I can’t imagine taking that long to write one story, it’s pretty damn impressive.

I do have to admit I didn’t care for a few of the last chapters. After the Harvey story is over, the book switches to an abbreviated account of how the Ford/Kavanaugh complaint and hearing went. While I did find out some information I did not know previously, the whole thing felt depressing to read. It’s not like slaying the giant Harvey, we all know how the Ford and Kavanugh story ends and I just would rather not be reminded to be honest. This is why my overall rating is a 4 instead of 5 stars.

This was a good and often times gripping read. I personally thought this book was important for me to read and I feel like I have the whole story now. If you are interested in the fall of Weinstein, I don’t think you can find a better account than from the women who took him down.

...more

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Nov 04, 2019 Alok Mishra rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is a brave book - no doubt. This is a timely book aptly extended to the public. It certainly inspires the readers by letting them learn that how breaking the silence and pointing the finger at a pervert can be the best thing to do - when there is nothing else to be done. However, from a neutral perspective, the perspective of a reader, the book is written in a wayward manner that can pull the inappropriate strings of boredom at times. I think only the readers who can cope with an ...more

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Sep 14, 2019 Sahitya rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, politics-feminism-religion, favorites, 2019-read, 5-star

I will not presume to be in any way capable of reviewing this brilliant book because it’s an extremely well written true account of the investigation and brings to light some systemic truths that we probably are well aware of, but haven’t seen discussed openly a lot. Instead, I think I’ll just share how I felt while reading it.

I’ve only lived in the US for less than a decade now and while I have a seen a Hollywood movie or two since childhood, I’ve never been much knowledgeable about the I will not presume to be in any way capable of reviewing this brilliant book because it’s an extremely well written true account of the investigation and brings to light some systemic truths that we probably are well aware of, but haven’t seen discussed openly a lot. Instead, I think I’ll just share how I felt while reading it.

I’ve only lived in the US for less than a decade now and while I have a seen a Hollywood movie or two since childhood, I’ve never been much knowledgeable about the industry or its major players. So, when the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke out, all the names associated with it didn’t mean anything to me. The significance for me was mostly about the movement it created and the outpouring of stories we got to hear after that. It reinforced the fact that sexual harassment is rampant in the world, regardless of the industry or field you are in and what age you are. It’s all about power, and those who have it will exercise it in whatever way they can without fear of consequences because they know that the whole system is behind them. And while this book goes into a lot of detail about the investigation and the many women Kantor and Twohey spoke to, it also shows us the blatant disregard shown by so many other people towards these women and how all the sexual predation was just treated as matter of fact.

My singular emotion while reading this book was anger. And helplessness. Maybe some hope too, but I won’t say it was a lot. The way that Weinstein used his power, bullying tactics and promises of helping their career to harass and assault and overpower so many young women is appalling to read about. I would never judge the women for not coming out and sharing their stories because it’s always them who had a lot to lose and they have their right to self-preservation. It’s the other people I find fault with - those around Weinstein who helped him cover up all the incidents by forcing the women with watertight settlements and NDAs, who thought his behavior was okay as long as it wasn’t a liability to the company, who decided that it must be the women coming onto him for a chance to go ahead in their careers, the high profile lawyers like David Boies, Gloria Allred and Lisa Bloom who feel completely justified in the way they defended Weinstein and shamed and blamed the women and the journalists covering the story. These are people even I have admired, watched documentaries about their work on marriage equality and women’s rights, and now to realize that powerful people always seem to support those in power - I just can’t describe the horror I’m feeling. If you’ve followed any of the twitter trends on the day of this book’s release, you must have seen the very enlightening (and loathsome) memo that Lisa Bloom wrote to Weinstein about how they can frame a narrative to victim blame and showcase him as an old man trying to understand the ever changing social mores. It really was an eye opener and I don’t think I will ever implicitly trust any “popular” activist again, especially lawyers.

The last section of the book also goes into some detail about the Kavanaugh hearings and Dr. Ford’s testimony, particularly how she felt in the weeks leading up to the day and how her life has irrevocably changed since then. It just makes me furious that nothing fundamental has really has changed since the years after Anita Hill and women have to still weigh their safety and career prospects vs the possibility of telling their story and maybe getting some vindication and justice. And I’m currently feeling even more hopeless because between the few hours when I finished this book and I’m writing this review, the New York Times published excerpts from another book with corroborating evidence for other allegations against Kavanaugh. And it’s really exhausting to see that while Dr. Ford has to deal with death threats, this man will be on the Supreme Court for most of our lifetime.

To conclude, I just wanna say thank you to all the women who came forward to tell their story, putting their livelihoods and privacy on the line, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey for their incessant desire to bring this story to light in its entirety while facing off the whole bully machine of Weinstein, and everyone else at NYT who made this possible. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to know more about this brilliant piece of investigative journalism and support women in their fight for equality and right to work without being harassed. ...more

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Sep 27, 2019 Elyse Walters rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Audiobook...read by the two co-authors, Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Rebecca Lowman. (known herself in the Audiobook world).

This professional memoir reads like a true crime thriller... with outstanding top-notch-in-depth-investigating and reporting.

How does an Hollywood ‘outsider’ get Angelina Jolie‘s phone number? Fascinating explosive details of the unfolding of the biggest sexual scandal in Hollywood.

Isn’t it just a ‘little’ tempting to except $100,000 a month to keep quiet?

The two New ...more

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Nov 15, 2019 Tatiana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 2019

I thought I understood how high the risks were for women to stand up publicly against their powerful abusers. But I didn't, really.

A must read for every person who responded to an accusation by a woman with a question "But why didn't she go to the police right away?"

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Sep 20, 2019 Tessa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have slightly mixed feelings about “She Said,” not due to the subject matter or message, but just with the way the book is formatted. The Weinstein investigation section, which takes up the bulk of the book, is thrilling, an account of investigative journalism at its finest. Secret meetings with sources, computer systems meant to keep developing stories accessible to only a handful of writers and editors, the delicate phrasing needed to get a source to talk or to go on record, the difficult I have slightly mixed feelings about “She Said,” not due to the subject matter or message, but just with the way the book is formatted. The Weinstein investigation section, which takes up the bulk of the book, is thrilling, an account of investigative journalism at its finest. Secret meetings with sources, computer systems meant to keep developing stories accessible to only a handful of writers and editors, the delicate phrasing needed to get a source to talk or to go on record, the difficult choice of when to publish the story - I love that stuff, and this book is full of it. I love reading about the disturbing and bizarre details that come out about Weinstein and the level of his corruption. And the tense moments of verbal sparring and legal threats as the Times prepares to publish - so gripping.

My issue is with the latter part of the book which centers on Christine Blasey Ford and the Kavanaugh accusation and hearing. A fascinating story in its own right, and I did sort of enjoy reading behind the scenes as Ford decided what to do and prepared to testify. But I didn’t understand it’s place in the book. Yes, it was a dramatic culmination of the #MeToo movement that would not have taken place without the women coming forward in the wake of the Weinstein news and the research and reporting on Weinstein and other offenders.

But where the first part of the book is a meticulously detailed account of how the Weinstein story came to be, the Ford section is much more about her personal deliberations on whether to come forward and what happened surrounding that. I didn’t see how the authors of “She Said” were involved in that story aside from being allowed to sit in on the preparations for Ford’s testimony. They were even given a tip about Ford, from her own lawyer, but Ford declined to contact them to discuss the story. In fact she mostly spoke to another reporter at a different publication.

I wanted to continue reading about journalism and the uncovering of these accounts of abuse by powerful men. Rather than exclusively focusing on the Ford story, I believe that the book would have been stronger if it followed a variety of the post-Weinstein revelations more closely instead of just briefly touching on them. Also, what happened to Weinstein himself and the company? The book does not really speak to that.

At the end the journalists describe a sort of retreat/mass interview of several of the women who were instrumental in the #MeToo movement. At this meeting, the women, including Ford shared how coming forward publicly changed their lives. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it cut to this meeting sooner after the Weinstein story broke (which is the dramatic climax of the book even though it happens relatively early in the book).

The Ford/Kavanaugh stuff is interesting and I am glad I read about it. It just felt like the authors were trying to jam two different stories together into one book and I didn’t quite get the reasoning behind that. To me it felt like a distraction from the Weinstein reporting, which I found much more interesting. It also downplayed the importance of the #MeToo movement - feeling like a huge anticlimax and letdown after the thrill of the Weinstein story breaking and the beginning of the movement.

Despite my complaint this really was an excellent book and well worth reading. The best part was reading about all of the female reporters, editors, lawyers, sources, and survivors (and secondarily, male allies). They were all so intelligent and clever, all operating in fields historically dominated by men, excelling and bringing light to something that our society has tried to stuff down for so long. In a time when I’ve never felt less proud to be an American, where I’m daily so discouraged by politics and current events, this book was actually a glimmer of hope and a reminder that while some things have gone downhill, other causes have found greater success than ever and give some hope to the future. ...more

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Sep 11, 2019 Kathleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Kantor and Twohey are the two New York Times investigative reporters that broke the story about Harvey Weinstein’s habitual sexual harassment towards women. [More than 80 women have come forward to-date.] The two journalists had to wade through a flood of bullying tactics Weinstein used to keep these women’s stories silent for so long. Weinstein used his wealth to hire top-tier attorneys to craft airtight confidentiality agreements that his accusers had to sign in order to receive compensation. ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Corina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Ever since publication on September 10th 2019 I’ve seen SHE SAID all over Bookstagram, and later that year it was a Best Nonfiction nominee at the GR choice awards. Moreover every review I read so far has been glowing, and ended with “You have to read this book!”.

Following the news, the topic of She Said was known to me. I’ve seen daily news articles about Weinstein in the last quarter of 2017. There was no escaping him. BUT I had no idea about everything that came before the article, and how ...more

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Nov 06, 2019 Mara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-owned, audio

For those wondering if you should read both this book and CATCH AND KILL, I would say the answer is yes. While CAK is more focused on the drama of the reporting, this incorporates the story of getting the story within the broader context of how the Weinstein reporting fit into the cultural moment that allowed it to kick "me too" into high gear. This account also has a lot more build out of the Weinstein organization & detailing how his predation was a part of toxic pattern within a ...more

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Nov 22, 2019 Candie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-of-2019

Loved this! The writing is amazing, filled with so many details but it still flows great and is very readable. You can definitely tell it is written by two professional journalists.

This book made me so angry and just breaks my heart how so many people knew about some of these things and it still went on for so many years, and happened to so many women. These men are disgusting. And even after they came forward how can so many people actually blame the women? I can't even comprehend how this ...more

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Oct 07, 2019 Malia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

This was a truly gripping book about the origins of the Me Too movement and in particular, the way a small team of dedicated journalists uncovered the Harvey Weinstein abuse scandal. Of course, much of this has already been in the media, but the behind-the-scenes look at how the story came together, the work and time and emotional tribulations that went into it make it an absolutely worthwhile read. Recommended!

Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

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Jan 04, 2020 Julie Christine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: social-political-commentary, best-of-2019, read-2019

I devoured this in a day. No matter how familiar the headlines, the journey of a news story from idea, rumor, tip, to the front page is fascinating, particularly when that headline launches one of the biggest sociopolitical movements of the decade. My race to the finish of She Saidmade me think of how much I love watching All The President's Men. I never tire of that movie. It doesn't matter that you know the ending— not just to the movie, but all these years later, the political legacy left by I devoured this in a day. No matter how familiar the headlines, the journey of a news story from idea, rumor, tip, to the front page is fascinating, particularly when that headline launches one of the biggest sociopolitical movements of the decade. My race to the finish of She Saidmade me think of how much I love watching All The President's Men. I never tire of that movie. It doesn't matter that you know the ending— not just to the movie, but all these years later, the political legacy left by Nixon's impeachment — it's the chase for the truth these reporters undertake when they aren't certain what that truth is, how big, who else is involved. A deep bow and grateful embrace to Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey for their tireless work, and to The New York Times for continuing to support their reporters.

On a deeply personal level, I know too that I was searching for clues. How did so many powerful, confident, successful, self-aware women withstand the abuse of the shitslime that is Harvey Weinstein and remain silent for so long? It wasn't clues I found in She Said, it was answers. Weinstein was aided and abetted by an army of sycophants, including defense legal teams and prosecutors erring on the side of famous powerful man over frightened, angry women, Weinstein's family, his corporation board members, even the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. And most egregiously, Gloria Allred and her daughter Lisa Bloom, lawyers who portrayed themselves as feminist legal champions for victims of sexual harassment and abuse. These two women have some epically bad Karma to contend with in lifetimes to come. It takes a village to shield a monster.

And yet, these two reporters, with no "in" to the worlds of celebrity, and a nearly impenetrable wall of silence between them and their story, burned that village to the ground. To date, more than eighty women have made allegations of sexual misconduct against the former movie producer. There has been a multimillion dollar settlement of a class action lawsuit with over twenty of his victims, and he's set to go on trial next week for raping two other women. Multiple rape allegation investiagations are underway in at least two states.

She Said concludes with a brief look at Christine Blasey Ford, her allegations of rape against then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and what Ford endured in her decision and action to take her accusations public. Despite Ford's compelling testimony and the outpouring of public support for her, the outcome —Kavanaugh's ascension to the Court — felt like so many steps back for a movement that is generations-old. It's a reminder that Weinstein's fall was but one battle won in an enormous war for truth and justice.

I feel such despair for the world, but investigative journalism remains a beacon of hope for me. Say what you will about the quality of the Fourth Estate in the internet age. I believe there are good people and organizations out there doing the work of avenging angels, and that the truths they uncover will set us free. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey deservedly won a Pulitzer for their reporting, and became sheroes in a movement that gave so many women a voice.

An unputdownable read. One of the year's best. ...more

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Sep 10, 2019 Marion rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent. I read it in one sitting. Ultimately it was unbelievable, all too real, enraging, and hopeful. Highly recommended for those who have been following the #metoo movement.

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Sep 19, 2019 Stacy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Highly recommend

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Jan 07, 2020 Suzanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A powerful memoir about Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s wall breaking sexual harassment coverage that is so gripping and informative readers will have trouble putting it down. It is so empowering and I am so glad that I read it. This is a subject matter that may be a trigger but needs to be discussed and handled regardless. I highly recommend this book to both females and males.

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Jan 26, 2020 Robert Sheard rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had no idea a story about the research leading to a newspaper story could be as compelling, suspenseful, and powerful as this book has been. I can't tell you the number of times it made me furious about our society, and especially our elected "leaders." (We currently have a president and two Supreme Court justices who come with a history of sexual harassment and/or assault allegations?) This is essential reading.

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Jan 02, 2020 Laura Noggle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: true-crime, women-nonfiction, 2020

Definitely liked this one more than Ronan Farrow's Catch and Kill, but still ... perhaps a tad bloated. Was kind of surprised that the end of the book had such extensive coverage on Christine Blasey Ford.

Extremely well-researched and documented.

"The United States had a system for muting sexual harassment claims, which often enabled the harassers instead of stopping them. Women routinely signed away the right to talk about their own experiences. Harassers often continued onward, finding fresh ...more

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Dec 21, 2019 Jaclyn Crupi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I devoured this in a single sitting. I love a good investigative journalism breaking story story and this really delivered. Seeing the extent of Weinstein’s power and reach and his willingness to do anything to silence these women all come tumbling down is pretty satisfying. This book was less successful in the Christine Blasey Ford sections and perhaps should have focussed solely on Weinstein’s accusers.

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Oct 14, 2019 Jessica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, i-own-these-books, usa, contemporary, 2019

I'm a sucker for investigative journalism stories, so I was prepared to like this book. However, I didn't realize how much it would hit me emotionally. I mean, I knew the outcome of the New York Times reporters' diligent research and subsequent charges against Weinstein, I had read every article and followed the story and movement (partaking in the hashtag like many women did)—but it's still a book full of tension that had me turning its pages rapidly. This is the craft of true journalism and ...more

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Sep 18, 2019 Miss Marple rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a thoroughly fascinating read. Maybe it's because I'm a journalist myself, but I find that the steps towards breaking a story are often as interesting or even more than the story itself. People usually read the finished product, and can't even imagine how much work and effort comes before, especially in such a sensitive and revealing matter as the years of sexual harassment committed by Harvey Weinstein.

Most of what is told here about Harvey Weinstein himself is well known by now, as This was a thoroughly fascinating read. Maybe it's because I'm a journalist myself, but I find that the steps towards breaking a story are often as interesting or even more than the story itself. People usually read the finished product, and can't even imagine how much work and effort comes before, especially in such a sensitive and revealing matter as the years of sexual harassment committed by Harvey Weinstein.

Most of what is told here about Harvey Weinstein himself is well known by now, as his methods of exploiting, abusing and harassing women have been well documented in the past two years. What's more revealing about this book are the workings of the people around him, the ones that tried to cover up for him and the ones that ended up helping his true nature come to light. Especially shocking to me was the portrayal of Lisa Bloom, who has made a name for herself as an advocate for victims and here you can see how unethical and ruthless she is behind that persona. Her mother, Gloria Allred, who I've always admired as a fighter for women's rights, doesn't come across that much better.

The work that Kantor and Twohey did to uncover Weinstein's abuses is remarkable, and a true lesson in ethical investigative journalism. I feel like I learned more from this book than in years in university and I truly admire the way these women go about their job and their role in society, trying to give everyone a fair chance, respecting their sources and their privacy, fact checking everything to a fault. If all journalism was like this!

However, it must be said that the second half in this book is not as well achieved as the first. Once the focus moves away from Weinstein to Brett Kavanaugh, a lot of the story falls a little flat. Not because Kavanaugh's alleged crimes themselves, but because most of the breaking of that story wasn't something done by the authors, so their telling of it feels more like a removed witness account and also a long winded explanation of why the NY Times didn't report that story in the way people expected them to (the explanation, by the way, makes sense to me, at least in the context of the book). That part left way too many questions that seem impossible to answer.

It was a nice touch to finish with a joint interview of some of the women who came forward with their stories in the course of the investigation. They are all wonderfully brave, and deserved a space to be heard. ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Laura Mcgee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I could NOT put this book down. It’s absolutely fascinating, reading about the investigation that finally led to Harvey Weinstein being held accountable. The authors (the same heroines who did the reporting for The NY Times story on Weinstein) manage to explain their story in incredible, page turning detail, but they then move into the larger issue of the #metoo era, and finally, to Brett Kavanaugh.
I highly recommend everyone read this book, it has certainly given me a good deal to think about.

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Sep 20, 2019 Simon Pressinger rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Just days before the Times published the October 2017 article that would change the world, Harvey Weinstein was reported lying to a magazine saying he knew nothing about the allegations (he’d known for months and was deeply involved). He also said something ironically very true: that this story would make a great movie. It would. It really is like an All the President’s Men for the 21st Century.

It’s amazing how the story pans out, what unbelievable things come to the surface, the relentless ...more

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Oct 27, 2019 Laura Tremaine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is such an important book. I almost didn’t get this one, because I followed the Harvey Weinstein story and the unfolding #MeToo movement pretty closely, and thought it would be a rehash if those things. But my friend Yasmin mentioned that we should support these books and this journalism with our dollars, even if we didn’t read every word. I agreed, and ultimately ended up listening to the audio book and I’m so glad I did.

Because I didn’t know (or remember) exactly how this story went ...more

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Dec 20, 2019 BookOfCinz rated it really liked it

This book deserves to be read. Jodi and Megan did such an amazing job of telling a story that will you leave you enraged and vindicated. I strongly recommend you give it a read.

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Sep 17, 2019 Jennie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audioreads, genre-nonfiction, genre-crime, 2019, favorites-2019, 5-star-reads, genre-journalism

Nothing I like better than a good investigative reporting story, especially about a topic I follow fairly closely. I tore through this. The writing was very good, both in clarity and structure. A must read for anyone interested in Me Too or journalism. WaPo called it "an instant classic of investigative journalism" and they are not wrong.

Content warnings for discussions of sexual assault and harassment

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Dec 26, 2019 Erin (from Long Island, NY) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My buddy Elyse said in her review that “this memoir reads like a true crime thriller” & it’s so 100% true that I don’t even know what else to say! So interesting.. & I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Sad (& disturbing) that “this” is real life, but at least we have strong women (& their supporters) constantly fighting.. Great book, I would totally recommend it even if memoirs aren’t usually your thing.

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Oct 19, 2019 Neville Longbottom rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, nonfiction

4.5 - In October of 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey at The New York Times were the first to break the story about Harvey Weinstein’s harassment of women and his trail of secret settlements to keep the women silent. This book follows how they investigated the story, found sources and convinced them to go on the record, and what lengths Weinstein went to in order to try and stop the story. Later on the book pivots away from the Weinstein story to more broadly cover the #MeToo movement, 4.5 - In October of 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey at The New York Times were the first to break the story about Harvey Weinstein’s harassment of women and his trail of secret settlements to keep the women silent. This book follows how they investigated the story, found sources and convinced them to go on the record, and what lengths Weinstein went to in order to try and stop the story. Later on the book pivots away from the Weinstein story to more broadly cover the #MeToo movement, especially in the case of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford coming forward against Brett Kavanaugh.

This book is at its strongest when it is covering Jodi and Megan’s personal experiences investigating and reporting on Weinstein. It was extremely compelling to see how they went about tracking down sources and how they were able to uncover the information they needed. It’s also super interesting to read this alongside Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators to see different sides of reporting on Weinstein. Jodi and Megan were completely supported by The New York Times and the editors didn’t capitulate to Weinstein whereas Ronan Farrow was ordered to stop reporting by NBC.

When the book switches gears to cover Dr. Ford, I think it loses a little bit of steam. It was still illuminating to see more insights into what led Dr. Ford to come forward and her experiences. But because this wasn’t a story that was investigated and broken by Jodi and Megan, it didn’t have quite the same impact in the book. Everything does get brought back together in the end when Jodi and Megan bring Dr. Ford and sources for their stories like Weinstein, together for a group interview. I found that section to be very moving, to see all these women come together and share their experiences.

Overall I think this is a really compelling book. It’s a tiny bit jarring when the focus shifts away from their reporting on Weinstein to cover Dr. Ford and the broader #MeToo movement. But ultimately, all of the information in the book is fully worth reading, even if some segments are stronger than others. ...more

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Jan 16, 2020 britt_brooke rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, current-month

Two NYT journalists expose the institutional masking of Harvey Weinstein’s abhorrent behavior. Twohey and Kantor show the journalistic side and the immense difficulties in brining down a powerful predator. This is a good read, but I don’t think the Blasey Ford bit was needed. And if you’re going to read just one Weinstein-focused book, Catch and Kill reads easier and is less clunky, but I do recommend both. McGowan’s is decent, too.

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Sep 12, 2019 HR-ML rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

NY Times journalists Jodi & Megan (hereafter J+M)
spent 3 years investigating movie producer Harvey
Weinstein's sexual harassment, alleged rape and
threats against actresses and employees. HW & his
younger brother Bob managed Miramax (award-
winning film studio) & Weinstein C0. J+M tracked
HW's exploits to 1990 and even further backward.
The authors tracked 8-12 women who were pd off &
forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA).
The authors concluded the NDA made money for the ...more

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Sep 25, 2019 Krutika Puranik rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

She Said - #bookrecommendation
~
Very rarely I stumble upon a book that's as powerful as this one. You watch the celebrities on the red carpet with their magnificent gowns and flawless smiles but what we don't know is the ugly truth that lurks just behind their appearances. Harvey Weinstein founded Miramax production house which soon became known for debuting stunning actors. For years, Weinstein ruled the world of Hollywood by using his powers to make women submit to his needs. He threatened his She Said - #bookrecommendation
~
Very rarely I stumble upon a book that's as powerful as this one. You watch the celebrities on the red carpet with their magnificent gowns and flawless smiles but what we don't know is the ugly truth that lurks just behind their appearances. Harvey Weinstein founded Miramax production house which soon became known for debuting stunning actors. For years, Weinstein ruled the world of Hollywood by using his powers to make women submit to his needs. He threatened his employees to ruin their careers if they didn't succumb to his wishes.
~
I did read about Weinstein when the allegations lurked out but what I wasn't aware of was the number of women who were harrassed sexually and mentally by this so-called famous producer. She Said is a thorough investigation carried out by two Pulitzer- prize winning reporters, Megan and Jodi from 2016 stretching out to 2019. Right from the very first page, I knew without a doubt that this would eventually become very close to my heart. The women who have been interviewed and went on record includes few famous actors like Ashley Judd, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rose McGowan and many others who were tortured by Weinstein during their career with him. Weinstein inviting women to his suite under the pretence of offering them roles but later stripping down and asking them for sex was horrifying. He later privately forced the women to enter into a NDA sealing it off with chunks of money.
~
I remember feeling angry and frustrated as I read through this book at an alarming speed. The women who came out to the public were ridiculed thoroughly by the media and by those who were accused. This book not only focuses on Weinstein but also brings into light the actions of Trump and Brett Kavanaugh. This book encloses a detailed investigation carried out by two brilliant reporters flanked by an army of editors. It's empowering to see how strong these women were to speak out in public about what happened to them. They dragged Weinstein down and stopped him from subjecting other women to the same treatment.
~
This read is intense, powerful and extremely informative. I highly recommend it.
~
Rating - 5/5. @bloomsburyindia ...more

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About Jodi Kantor

Jodi Kantor

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Jodi Kantor has covered the world of Barack and Michelle Obama since the beginning of 2007, also writing about Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Sarah Palin, Richard Holbrooke, Eric Holder and many others along the way.

Ms. Kantor graduated from Columbia and attended Harvard Law School. But soon after she arrived, she caught the journalism bug, took time off to work at Slate.com, and never looked back. ...more

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Quotes from She Said

“Jodi cut to the point: The United States had a system for muting sexual harassment claims, which often enabled the harassers instead of stopping them. Women routinely signed away the right to talk about their own experiences. Harassers often continued onward, finding fresh ground on which to commit the same offenses. The settlements and confidentiality agreements were almost never examined in law school classrooms or open court. This was why the public had never really understood that this was happening. Even those in the room with long histories of covering gender issues had never fully registered what was going on.” — 3 likes

“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.” — 0 likes

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