Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

Regardless of your thoughts on Ronan, he certainly knows how to write an excellent investigative journalism book. Catch and Kill delves into the scenes behind major newsrooms and networks and how they have often successfully managed cover ups of executives, producers and stars, in essence putting profits above accountability. And of course, the book goes right at the Weinstein saga of cover ups. The book is intense, in fact it can be a bit too intense for some readers (this is in no way a kids book) but is still a compelling read.

A must for investigative journalism fans, and a troubling insight into the industry

I don’t remember reading a more accurate blurb for a book for many months. This one is ‘spot on’ which I greatly appreciated. In 2017 the author, Ronan Farrow, was covering a routine network investigation. This eventually led to the ;blockbuster’ story about one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers.

The reader will be along for the cover-ups, the corruption, and even espionage that enfolds within these pages. Just an incredible read that at times is surreal.
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I was also fascinated with the behind the scenes conversations at NBC. And, the story about how this book came to ‘be’ is also amazing. The author states at the beginning of his book that it occurred between 2016 and early 2019. And, that there were over 200 interviews conducted.

Early on, the females were reluctant to talk about their abuse at the hands of the predators. Soon more came forward to tell their stories. Finally, the courage and the time had come for them to speak out. I am glad that they did…

One quote that Weinstein spoke on the phone to Andy Lack (head of the network) caught my attention …”it was the 90’s’… Please…as if the year mattered! Obviousy to a predator it did.

This is journalistic reporting at its finest, I feel. Just superlative gathering of facts, interviewing females that were willing to go on record, and finally get this story out where it belongs…in the eyes of the public.

A truly fascinating and detailed story which is captivating and so very sad and sickening for the victims.

My highest recommendation for this excellent, truly excellent work that the author accomplished.

REVISED AND AMENDED REVIEW:

My original review, as it should be apparent in the attached comments to the review, did indeed orient too much emphasis on the discussion the book had regarding Donald Trump. Although that was accurate, because the discussion was only a couple of chapters that come near the end of the book, it might have been wiser for me to concentrate on the discussion of the people at NBC (Weinstein, Brokaw, etc.). However, as I then stated, there is far more to this book than any allegations. It is a terrific story relating the authors experiences while investigating and attempting to report the results of that investigation, despite the alleged efforts by that media to catch and kill that story.

My attempt, as poorly written and communicated as it was (while phasing into retirement and moving to a new region of the country) had been to highlight that sexual harassment and abuse, as well as the attempts to hush up such stories and behaviors is not exclusive to any particular political persuasion or media. Liberals in office, media, entertainment and industry are as prone to do so as are conservatives. I meant to state that fact clearly and presumed I had, but, alas, I failed to do so.

In summary, then, the value of this book is how the author, the son of Mia Farrow, (and, perhaps of Woody Allen or Frank Sinatra) deals with the revelations he is confronted with while investigating a powerful member of his employer, a significant member of the so-called media, which, itself, is charged with rooting out and exposing crimes and abuses within our government and our society.

The language will be rough for many, but, honestly, no worse than that used by then-candidate, Donald J. Trump during the Billy Bush Tapes.

Am I apologizing for vilifying the President? No. But I am trying to clear up any confusions or errors in my original review, while also ensuring that people can see I have removed NONE of my original errors or mistakes.

I trust those who now read the review will better understand why I enjoyed reading this story and why I recommend it.

Fascinating piece of investigative journalism that explores allegations of actions by the National Enquireer, or persons associated with it, of buying stories of Donald Trump’s sex life, then killing the stories and shredding all notes associated with the stories; investigation of Harvey Weinstein and his purported sexual harassment conquests in Hollywood, as well as touching base on Woody Allen, the author’s father.

Although, of course, a good deal of the material pertains to Donald Trump, it would be unfair to compare this journalism with Bob Woodward’s “Fear” or to Michael Lewis’s “Fifth Risk.” In terms of salaciousness and personal gossip, it is a bit closer, in style, to those by Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury” or “Siege.” The primary difference, though, is that it IS a journalistic approach. It is, without doubt, going to grab headlines on a daily basis for some time to come.

Will it add to calls for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump? I doubt it. Even so, it does give an insight into the ‘fake media’ and the corruption, also known as the ‘Swamp,’ prevalent in Hollywood and Washington D.C. Ironically, however, the fake media exposed is not the media Trump often derides. Also, the swamp Trump complains about is not the swamp described by “Catch and Kill.” The swamp reported here is the habitat that, in my opinion, is the habitat of our illustrious President, the 45th President in our nation’s proud history. The Swamp Creature who has been empbraced by so many Evangelical leaders, as well as by members of the Catholic church, et al.

“Catch and Kill” is far more than simply a quality piece of investigative journalism related to Donald Trump and the National Enquirer. I learned quite a bit about the author’s life and upbringing, and why that matters to this boy wonder.

For instance, his mother was Mia Farrow. If you know anything about Mia, you know that sexual harassment and abuse were of utmost importance to the author.

Unlike this writer’s other book that I have read, “Catch and Kill” includes a nice touch of self deprecating humor and delves into his personal experiences.

I am glad I bought the book, including the Whispersync Audible edition, but, due to the subject content, I couldn’t say I enjoyed it. Eye-opening? You bet. Fun? In spots, but this is more important than that.

BLUSH FACTOR: If you listened to, or read transcripts of the Billy Bush Tapes (When Donald Trump allegedly boasted of his sexual exploits), you will have a good understanding of the language used in this quick-r-ead by Ronan Farrow. In other words, you probably won’t want to share this with your youngsters. Probably also not with your church group, although doing so might actually accomplish some good effects.

WRITING & EDITING: Thoroughly professional. If you’re expecting a traditional journalistic approach, you will be surprised to find that “Catch & Kill” reads more as though it is a novel, than the work of a news reporter. As for myself, I greatly appreciated the style of writing, also known as the ‘writer’s voice.’ Despite this, I’m not certain how some of the details could have been fleshed out so fully without some degree of ‘filling in the blanks.’

To fully grasp my meaning in regards to that last statement about ‘filling in the blanks,’ I would suggest reading “Story Craft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction” by Jack Hart. Mind you, I do not suspect that the Author, Ronan Farrow, has made up any ‘facts.’ I am, though, concerned that there is a danger of inserting nonfactual information into nonfiction that could give way to another “Shattered Glass” scandal.

BOTTOM LINE:

I have tried to provide a review that accurately portrays the writing and revelations of “Catch and Kill” by Ronan Farrow. In so doing, though, I felt it necessary to include my personal emotions after reading this powerful, insightful investigative look into soem of the controversial behaviors by conservative AND liberal leaders of our nation. Rather than become outraged at my sentiments, however, I hope readers will take actions to do as advocated by former Ohio Gov. John Kasich in his new book, “It’s Up To Us.”

Four stars out of five.

I wasn’t certain I’d read this book — and though I’m only halfway through it —- I’m very glad I bought it.
It is not the distressing horror-story I feared it would be; from the first page it’s seriously intriguing, accessible and compulsively readable, which is very surprising for such a complex and far-reaching story. Farrow is a knockout writer and a first rate investigative journalist. Don’t be intimidated or scared to read it. We as a society owe a debt of gratitude to the people who were courageous enough to speak out, risking threats, retaliation and further abuse, and to this fine writer.

Ronan Farrow’s brilliant expos, CATCH AND KILL, will leave you slack-jawed in awe, with his powerhouse, bravura reporting. His determination, commitment and sincerity are evident from beginning to end, and is almost enough to make one think there is actually hope for the future of Serious Journalism in America. While there are enough truly disgusting characters in this narrative, a special place of loathsomeness should be reserved for the duplicitous, woman-hating Lisa Bloom, who was secretly on Weinstein’s legal team, while also “representing” several of Weinstein’s victims as their “civil rights attorney”–in some cases, convincing them not to sue Weinstein–while also coaching Weinstein on the most effective ways for him to “bring down” these women. I hope that any credibility she had before is shattered. She makes herself so easy to hate. Ronan Farrow deserves all the plaudits he’s getting for this book, which should serve as an historic “starting point” that signaled the end of the white male patriarchy that’s been in place forever (in the media and beyond) .Time’s up is right!

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