No one recommended this book to me, but I was vaguely familiar with the story, and, when browsing in the library, decided to borrow it, on a whim. This New York journalist, advice columnist, and author of several books, accused Donald of Trump of sexual assault and rape, and, many years later, decided to sue him. This book provides the details of her two suits, resulting in convictions and an 85 million dollar award in 2023. To her credit, now aged 81, she has vowed to give most of the award to many of the charities and NGOs that Trump despises.
The court proceedings are truly detailed to the point of boring endless fussing about the wardrobes, physical appearance, and demeanour of all of the participants. This wardrobe-challenged reviewer never could understand or believe that the truth could be swayed so forcefully by such factors. The whole U.S. judicial system is shown to be pedantic to the point of being irrational, obsessed with minute details and definitions.
The money-hungry lawyers for Trump are portrayed as not caring about the truth, hardly a surprise, given who they have agreed to defend.
There is no doubt that the author was greatly traumatized, not only by the rape, but by the accusations and threats to her life that resulted from the public accusation and trial. Her considerable own acknowledged character flaws are fully exposed, but she must be lauded for her bravery in pursuit of justice. We need more people like her.
3/5
