Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence

Journalist Auletta (Greed and Glory on Wall Street) has plenty to say about Harvey Weinstein. While preparing his 2002 profile on Weinstein for Vanity Fair, Auletta uncovered stories of sexual assault but was stymied by lack of on-the-record victim testimony. He makes up for lost time with a year-by-year biography that presents Weinstein not merely as a sexual abuser but a toxic narcissist who physically and psychologically mistreated employees and ignored financial limitations to feed his craving for public acclaim. Weinstein was enabled by an industry where his aberrant behavior was excused by influence and success. In spite of its unflinching criticism of its subject, this book is no hatchet job. Auletta acknowledges Weinstein’s tremendous drive and effect on Hollywood and probes the psychology that might lie behind his actions. This gives his portrait of Weinstein vital depth. Well-researched and packed with detail—possibly too packed for some readers, who may find the thorough recounting of Weinstein’s assaults, boardroom wars, and trial procedures results in information overload.