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kristicuse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
youngling80's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
5.0
Well, that was harrowing. John Krakauer's Missoula is an incredibly articulate and exhaustive look at the struggles and cases of rape victims in a college town.
The majority of the book is quoted from documented sources - transcripts of conversations with law enforcement officers or legal representatives, communications (letters/emails/texts) between parties involved, official court documents and transcripts, evidence from cases, etc. ... it's a comprehensive look at what was occurring both personally for the victims and legally within their cases. And frankly, it's shocking. As per his purpose in writing the book, Krakauer does a fantastic job of presenting why instances of rape are so vastly underreported and representing the challenges for victims who do. And he does so in a way that is clear and well-documented. He doesn't rely on sentimental arguments throughout the book, though it is, admittedly, difficult to not feel deeply about the content therein. It should be noted that his book does not address why rape is such a prevalent issue at large, on college campuses, or among athletes in particular, and thus, does not address the questions of how we as a society solve this. (I only include this point because some of the harshest criticism of this book is directed at this point, and at the extensive use of primary sources which some felt was "dry". I clearly did not concur with these opinions.) This was the first Krakauer book I have read, but it will not be the last. I, for one, am extremely grateful to the author for acknowledging his ignorance in this area, and subsequent time he devoted to interviewing rape survivors, counselors, and doctors in order to rectify that ignorance. This book is a labor of love to the victims of sexual assault, and I applaud his efforts in this endeavor.
I'm not going to lie ... this one was a bitter read for me. I could only digest small portions at a time before feeling so disgusted (with predatory men, with the criminal justice system, etc.) that I would be forced to set it aside and decompress. And that's as it should be. Missoula isn't a book that should be consumed voraciously. When dealing with a topic with the gravitas of rape, one should be unsettled and sit with that perturbation. As grueling as it was, I was determined to finish it before the month's end, as it had been chosen as my read for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
I'm glad I did, but I am left with a myriad of questions in the wake of this book ... questions about how I teach my daughter how to live in world where her safety can't be guaranteed - even with trusted friends. Questions about how to raise my son to be a man that respects women and understands consent. Questions about how to help my children become respectful and loving partners. Questions about how to help my children learn to be decent human beings, because even if the specific incidents shared in this book weren't cases of rape, they were clearly indicative of young men who had absolutely no regard for their sexual partners, and were only concerned with the gratification of their own desires. That is, perhaps, the scariest part ... multiple people went to bat for these young men, insisting that they were "good" ,"kind", and "moral" young men with ... yet when push came to shove, these men, at best, took advantage of people who trusted them - people who were smaller and physically weaker than themselves ... and, at worst, they committed heinous acts of violence without regard for the feelings of others. I am sure the mothers of these young men would never have thought that their sons would be capable of such things, and yet ...
So where does that leave me? This book has unmoored me, and I'm not sure I'll feel I'll regain an equilibrium until I've searched out answers to those questions and have plans in place for books to read with my kids and conversations I and my husband will be having on a regular basis with them.
A hard read, but one I highly recommend.
The majority of the book is quoted from documented sources - transcripts of conversations with law enforcement officers or legal representatives, communications (letters/emails/texts) between parties involved, official court documents and transcripts, evidence from cases, etc. ... it's a comprehensive look at what was occurring both personally for the victims and legally within their cases. And frankly, it's shocking. As per his purpose in writing the book, Krakauer does a fantastic job of presenting why instances of rape are so vastly underreported and representing the challenges for victims who do. And he does so in a way that is clear and well-documented. He doesn't rely on sentimental arguments throughout the book, though it is, admittedly, difficult to not feel deeply about the content therein. It should be noted that his book does not address why rape is such a prevalent issue at large, on college campuses, or among athletes in particular, and thus, does not address the questions of how we as a society solve this. (I only include this point because some of the harshest criticism of this book is directed at this point, and at the extensive use of primary sources which some felt was "dry". I clearly did not concur with these opinions.) This was the first Krakauer book I have read, but it will not be the last. I, for one, am extremely grateful to the author for acknowledging his ignorance in this area, and subsequent time he devoted to interviewing rape survivors, counselors, and doctors in order to rectify that ignorance. This book is a labor of love to the victims of sexual assault, and I applaud his efforts in this endeavor.
I'm not going to lie ... this one was a bitter read for me. I could only digest small portions at a time before feeling so disgusted (with predatory men, with the criminal justice system, etc.) that I would be forced to set it aside and decompress. And that's as it should be. Missoula isn't a book that should be consumed voraciously. When dealing with a topic with the gravitas of rape, one should be unsettled and sit with that perturbation. As grueling as it was, I was determined to finish it before the month's end, as it had been chosen as my read for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
I'm glad I did, but I am left with a myriad of questions in the wake of this book ... questions about how I teach my daughter how to live in world where her safety can't be guaranteed - even with trusted friends. Questions about how to raise my son to be a man that respects women and understands consent. Questions about how to help my children become respectful and loving partners. Questions about how to help my children learn to be decent human beings, because even if the specific incidents shared in this book weren't cases of rape, they were clearly indicative of young men who had absolutely no regard for their sexual partners, and were only concerned with the gratification of their own desires. That is, perhaps, the scariest part ... multiple people went to bat for these young men, insisting that they were "good" ,"kind", and "moral" young men with ... yet when push came to shove, these men, at best, took advantage of people who trusted them - people who were smaller and physically weaker than themselves ... and, at worst, they committed heinous acts of violence without regard for the feelings of others. I am sure the mothers of these young men would never have thought that their sons would be capable of such things, and yet ...
So where does that leave me? This book has unmoored me, and I'm not sure I'll feel I'll regain an equilibrium until I've searched out answers to those questions and have plans in place for books to read with my kids and conversations I and my husband will be having on a regular basis with them.
A hard read, but one I highly recommend.
chapita4's review against another edition
5.0
Really well researched and written book that could easily transfer to any college town in America. As a former prosecution based victim advocate, I found the challenges and struggles depressingly familiar. In particular I found myself discouraged by the actions of Kirsten Pabst and I fear for the victims of her jurisdiction. It is hard enough to be the victim of a sexual assault, to then be further victimized by the system that is supposed to hold offenders accountable is reprehensible.
I applaud Jon Krakauer for putting into word the reality of rape victims and for illuminating the weaknesses of the many systems that are involved when a crime occurs on campus.
The most difficult aspect of advocating for crime victims was the lack of protection for victims of crime. As an accused person your rights are vigorously protected and there are strict rules about what can be said to and about you. There are no such protections for victims and it was infuriating to watch defense attorney's make false statements about victims in order to defend their clients. Further, jurors have a false sense that if an attorney makes a statement it must be true which greatly influences the outcomes of trial. Great job Mr. Krakauer and I thank you for caring enough about victims to write this book.
I applaud Jon Krakauer for putting into word the reality of rape victims and for illuminating the weaknesses of the many systems that are involved when a crime occurs on campus.
The most difficult aspect of advocating for crime victims was the lack of protection for victims of crime. As an accused person your rights are vigorously protected and there are strict rules about what can be said to and about you. There are no such protections for victims and it was infuriating to watch defense attorney's make false statements about victims in order to defend their clients. Further, jurors have a false sense that if an attorney makes a statement it must be true which greatly influences the outcomes of trial. Great job Mr. Krakauer and I thank you for caring enough about victims to write this book.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book from Krakauer. Eye opening. The process described and elucidated will make you physically sick. Yet another broken, backwards process in the United States. Gripping read.
bookph1le's review against another edition
5.0
Infuriating and disturbing. More complete review to come.
sunnylain's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
juliagoesoutdoors's review against another edition
5.0
A difficult but necessary read. This is the 3rd Krakauer book I've finished and in this book, like his others, I appreciate the depth and breadth to which he researches and conveys all the aspects of the story.
brikrush's review against another edition
4.0
***IF YOU READ THIS BOOK OR THIS REVIEW, YOU SHOULD DONATE TO A SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE***
I mean... okay. JK is clearly overwhelmed and moved by the information he shares in this book, but you know who already knew a lot of these stats? women. maybe it's my childhood diet of every episode of SVU or maybe it's my adult career in sexual violence but like... of course? of course the police and the DA dismissed victims? of course people don't understand acquaintance rape? of course people sided with the quarterback and with the football team and exclaimed that "boys will be boys" and "don't ruin this young man's future"? of course these cases were rife with victim-blaming and a misunderstanding of how trauma works? like it's great that JK learned all this and then wrote this book and then other people learned all this and now, hopefully, we can support the orgs that have been doing this work. orgs that have been campaigning for this change. orgs that have tirelessly and ceaselessly brought in this awareness but aren't white male journalists and so haven't been as easily received.
anyway. basically, I would never urge anyone to report sexual violence unless it was their idea because like, yeah dude, this is the reality. ACAB. Olivia Benson is not a real person.
Nate says I shouldn't review books harshly if I'm not the intended audience, and I think that's valid. JK is a great writer, his work is compelling, and this is the first audiobook I've ever truly enjoyed. I hope people take away the enormity of the issues around sexual violence and rape culture, and then I hope they continue to explore more in-depth and nuanced understandings of why and what now.
I mean... okay. JK is clearly overwhelmed and moved by the information he shares in this book, but you know who already knew a lot of these stats? women. maybe it's my childhood diet of every episode of SVU or maybe it's my adult career in sexual violence but like... of course? of course the police and the DA dismissed victims? of course people don't understand acquaintance rape? of course people sided with the quarterback and with the football team and exclaimed that "boys will be boys" and "don't ruin this young man's future"? of course these cases were rife with victim-blaming and a misunderstanding of how trauma works? like it's great that JK learned all this and then wrote this book and then other people learned all this and now, hopefully, we can support the orgs that have been doing this work. orgs that have been campaigning for this change. orgs that have tirelessly and ceaselessly brought in this awareness but aren't white male journalists and so haven't been as easily received.
anyway. basically, I would never urge anyone to report sexual violence unless it was their idea because like, yeah dude, this is the reality. ACAB. Olivia Benson is not a real person.
Nate says I shouldn't review books harshly if I'm not the intended audience, and I think that's valid. JK is a great writer, his work is compelling, and this is the first audiobook I've ever truly enjoyed. I hope people take away the enormity of the issues around sexual violence and rape culture, and then I hope they continue to explore more in-depth and nuanced understandings of why and what now.