CATCH AND KILL

Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
by Ronan Farrow
 
In recommending this book, which I do highly, I had to reflect on the many different aspects of a book that I believe make it a “must read.”  Catch and Kill will punch you in the stomach and leave you breathless with the story Farrow tells.  I knew the book was about Harvey Weinstein – his predatory behavior and how he got away with it for so long because he was a rich and powerful influence in the film industry.  What I hadn’t anticipated was Farrow’s strong evidence that for years, many other powerful men knew of Weinstein's behavior.  Not only did they “look the other way,” many of them were using their power to behave in a similar fashion.
 
Farrow’s writing is not what makes his book compelling.  In fact, the book reads like a long magazine article.  What makes Catch and Kill gripping is Farrow’s persistence in making the story public against very long odds.  He stood up to everyone in power at NBC; lost his job; had his life threatened; and was even shadowed by Israeli spies.
 
Catch and Kill is an important book – one of the first to appear since the “Me Too” movement gained momentum.  In fact, Ronan Farrow’s hard work and perseverance in getting this story told helped the movement gain national attention.  Catch and Kill will not make you feel good.  In fact, it is downright depressing to read the lengths to which the establishment will go to protect its own.  But, Farrow carefully lays out his discovery of that behavior and the ensuing cover-up in a page-turner that you won’t soon forget. (Liz)