Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

May 03, 2015 Amy (folkpants) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is a very important book for everyone to read, in my opinion. For the most part Krakauer presents facts about assaults and legal proceedings surrounding them in an objective way. However, if any of the facts seem to be subjective, I didn't really mind. The crime of rape and sexual assault has reached pandemic proportions, especially on college campuses. I thought this book was perfectly timed considering the recent article in Rolling Stone about rape on the University of Virginia campus and This is a very important book for everyone to read, in my opinion. For the most part Krakauer presents facts about assaults and legal proceedings surrounding them in an objective way. However, if any of the facts seem to be subjective, I didn't really mind. The crime of rape and sexual assault has reached pandemic proportions, especially on college campuses. I thought this book was perfectly timed considering the recent article in Rolling Stone about rape on the University of Virginia campus and it's retraction. Whatever the case may be surrounding UVA and the Rolling Stone article, it should not distract from the fact that rape still happens at an alarming rate in this country and around the world. The fact that Krakauer chose to contain his book within the confines of one average college town, with an average sexual assault rate/rape rate nationwide is interesting. It reminded me that these crimes do not take place in special places by men jumping out of bushes, but very ordinary places by men who are close friends and acquaintances.

One of the things that troubled me most in the book was the researcher who chatted with several men about their sexual encounters. The fact that several of the men described date rape and gang rape scenarios that they had taken part in without realizing or acknowledging that what they had done was actually rape. It brought to mind that one of the biggest problems with date rape or rape by an acquaintance (and in part, rape as a whole) is the idea that these men believe they are entitled to do what they want to women. Women are not seen as equal but rather objects. As I was reading, I thought that many of these men did not show remorse or responsibility for what they had done because, to them, they did not think they did anything wrong. They did not think what they had done was sexual assault. Krakauer goes on to point out that in small towns where a sports star, for example, is held up on a pedestal that the majority of the town may support the perpetrator because they also believe he is entitled. A majority is willing to overlook the crime (or deny a crime was even committed) because his accomplishments and any future accomplishments on the field outweigh any wrong doing.

I think as a society, we need to seriously take a look at how we define the rape culture. That we are creating these criminals. That we need to change the thinking behind what someone believes is his or entitled to him if we are ever going to do something about acquaintance rape. The book was a mind-opener. It also helped articulate thoughts I've had for awhile. I think everyone should read a book like this, start a dialogue about acquaintance rape and the inequality and treatment between men and women in society today. Talk about it; change minds; change actions. ...more

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Jun 26, 2015 Lisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is infuriating. And everyone should read it.

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Jan 27, 2016 Cathy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

All women should read this. Actually, all humans should read this. It is so eye-opening that I still can't believe some of the things that happened to the young women in this book. However, it is bewildering how little consideration has been given to rape victims. The rape is only the initial victimization, and is compounded by the inept policing, obvious sexism and unkind comments from "friends" and random people who think their opinion matters. The book itself is well-researched and compelling ...more

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