Ken Auletta

The author uses his journalism prowess to produce an exhaustive – and in some sections exhausting — chronicle of Weinstein’s despicable misdeeds. Having closely followed many of the twists and turns since the New York Times’ expose in the fall of 2017, I didn’t encounter too many surprises in Auletta’s skillfully crafted work. But the fact that I managed to finish the book in one week – during an incredibly busy week – is a testament to the book’s overall “pull.” I do agree with one reviewer who suggested that the author should have spent more time digging into the flawed systems that not only ignored but also seemingly sanctioned Weinstein’s abuse. Still, “Hollywood Ending” is an engrossing and well-written book that shines a cringeworthy spotlight on a tragic tale.… (meer)

So here is the book that documents and lays out the misdeeds of one Harvey Weinstein, movie mogul. There of course was much publicity and coverage in the news as this case rolled out and drew in the curious public as to how things were done in this industry. We of course had always heard such stories and from the past was passed down as the lore of Hollywood; the infamous casting couch.

Harvey Weinstein of course took this role and maximized it for years, his entire career. And the more successful he became, based on his genius and talent in the business, the more he abused it. And the thing about Harvey is he pretty much had total command over everything he did and got away with. That is until the tide turned and finally relentless pursuit by the likes of Ronan Farrow, and brave women who came forward to tell their stories.

But even in the trial this we found was no slam dunk as well paid attorneys were able to turn the tables on some of these claimants. And even the verdict on just two of the five charges seems somewhat subdued. Yet thanks to a stern judge it looks like Weinstein will finish off behind bars. Well maybe, he does certainly have some avenues for appeal, and think Bill Cosby.

Only time now will tell the final chapter of this predator. He still faces trial in California as a back up. The book made for good coverage of the sordid misdeeds and power plays, and it left me wondering are there others still out there pulling this off? Probably.… (meer)

A fairly comprehensive account of the rise and fall of Harvey Weinstein, Ken Auletta’s Hollywood Ending will have you longing for a shower by the time you finish it. Auletta produces a convincing portrait of Weinstein as a narcissist, an abuser, and a sociopath—one who has no compunction about swearing on the lives of his children while lying through his teeth. But Auletta seems more interested in trying to figure out what makes Weinstein tick (an answer which seems both unknowable and pretty banal all at once) than he is in really digging into the systems which allow for the amassing of toxic and exploitative power in Hollywood and elsewhere. This sordid books provides a few hints that while Weinstein may have been cruder in his manipulations and cruelties than many, he was far from being an outlier.… (meer)