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The Girls
The Girls: An All-American Town, a Predatory Doctor, and the Untold Story of the Gymnasts Who Brought Him Down | Abigail Pesta
6 posts | 5 read | 14 to read
From an award-winning and respected investigative journalist, the inside story of how serial predator Larry Nassar got away with abusing hundreds of gymnasts for decades--and how a team of brave women, activists, and lawyers banded together to bring him down Larry Nassar has been called one of the worst sexual predators in history. For years, the families in Lansing, Michigan admired and trusted him. He was a longtime doctor at Michigan State University, while also serving as the physician for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team. Parents left their daughters in his care, grateful for the attention of this renowned doctor. He became a mentor and confidante to aspiring young gymnasts with big dreams. In the wake of abuse revelations, athletes are asking why they weren't protected. Victims want to know why they weren't believed. Parents are questioning why authorities didn't stop him when they had the chance. How did this happen? And how can we prevent it from occurring again? Drawing on exclusive interviews, this book unveils the behind-the-scenes story on the scandal that riveted and devastated the world of elite sports--and the small community where it all began. This is the narrative of how these women found their voice and came together, refusing to let the abuse of their past define their future. Their experience carries an important message for readers amid the ever-growing #MeToo movement: There is power in your voice.
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Eggs
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Tough to read but so important.

#Sports
#SchoolSpirit

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

52 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Eggs
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Pickpick

My eldest daughter told me to read this and glad I did. Though it‘s a tough read, it is important. I remember watching Keri Strug getting injured at Summer Olympics in the 1990s, and Karoly telling her to finish and win. Just the tip of the iceberg re: abuse. The mental, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of these gymnasts … 😭🤬😡 These predators got away with this for 30+ years, sanctioned by Olympics/schools & colleges/medical authorities/⬇️

Eggs and associations. It broke up families, sent young women into years of therapy, ruined their careers and bodies, causing life-long injuries. Seems part of a larger picture of the predatory nature of adults towards the vulnerable in the world-i.e. kidnapping, sex trade etc. 😖 4mo
DieAReader 😭Horrible! Stacked! 4mo
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TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! But so horrible 😢 4mo
Eggs @DieAReader 😥😣 4mo
Eggs @TheAromaofBooks 😡😣 4mo
59 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

This is a #reread for me, and I can‘t imagine the tremendous pressure Simone is under right now. (Spoilers about team final ⬇️) I can‘t imagine being asked about sexual abuse that happened associated with USAGym when I‘m trying to win the Olympics.

The bravery of all Nasser‘s survivors over the nearly 30 years(!) of his abuse astounds me! I‘m also glad that many gymnasts are speaking out about abusive/racist coaching, too. #audiobook

Megabooks I heard Simone dropped out of the team final when I got up this morning. I only saw part of the last rotation. In the press conference, she said it was due to “mindfulness,” and she has seemed much more stressed/rattled than Rio. NBC has basically sold the whole first week‘s primetime on her and Katie Ledecky. And this is probably her last meet in elite gymnastics. Keeping my fingers crossed that she is able to take a moment mentally. 🤞🏻 3y
MicheleinPhilly I feel so sad for her. I hate the USAG with a vengeance. 3y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly I feel so sad for all of them and pissed at the adults who took advantage of their youth and talent. I also HATE Marta (and Bela) Karolyi. Taking young children away from their families (and sometimes usual coaches) and isolating them on a farm with no cell service and little food. That‘s abuse. Add Nasser on top of it, and I‘m just boiling with anger!!! 3y
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MicheleinPhilly Oh for sure. I was just thinking of Simone specifically in this instance because of the expectations that were unfairly put on her. Similar to Naomi Osaka‘s outcome. I‘ve found these Olympics to be so disappointing overall not because of specific outcomes, but just what it has reinforced about how these athletes are used and abused. And how ugly the general viewing public is. I HATE EVERYONE! 3y
eanderson Athlete A on Netflix goes through this whole heartbreaking situation. I hope Nasser is getting exactly what he deserves in prison. I‘m sickened that so so so many people turned a blind eye to what was going on. Poor Simone… I hate it. She deserves so much more! 3y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly very much re:athletes. I think Aly Raisman made a great point about the expectations to hit 4 routines multiple times (Simone would‘ve had to do all 4 four times to win max golds) and how truly difficult that is on any day. Multiple athletes have talked about empty stands/stadiums being difficult as well. These are such unusual times and especially difficult for these competitors. I have massive respect for them. (edited) 3y
Megabooks @eanderson and there‘s At the Heart of Gold on hbo as well. I am a huge fan of Maggie Nichols, who was a major part of Athlete A, and I hate that her senior season was cut short by Covid last year. They extended eligibility, but she said it would‘ve been too hard on her body. I have so much respect for MyKayla Skinner and her decision not to go back to Utah. I cannot imagine being hospitalized for Covid in jan/feb snd then going to the Olympics. 3y
Cinfhen Book #stacked and now off to watch Athlete A on Netflix 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen 👍🏻👍🏻 Athlete A is fantastic. I had a lot of emotions while watching it. 3y
MicheleinPhilly Did you see the news today about Nasser? 🤬 3y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly that he was getting Covid stimulus checks, keeping them, and not repaying his victims?? Yes. Ridiculous!!!! 3y
90 likes5 stack adds11 comments
review
lowellette
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Pickpick

A tough read. It breaks my heart to see victim after victim being dismissed.

Megabooks Definitely a hard read. 4y
7 likes1 comment
review
Megabooks
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Pickpick

Such a hard #audiobook to listen to and a nightmare for the girls who survived Nasser‘s abuse. Major TW for child sexual abuse.

This book chronicles the Nasser‘s hometown victims: the athletes who went to the gym and MSU where Larry “treated” girls much more frequently than the athletes at the National Training Camp. She also discusses the severe mental abuse that many coaches do and how this made the girls even more vulnerable to Nasser.

Samary This is on my TBR, I look forward to reading it but yeah it‘s going to be a tough one. 4y
Megabooks @Samary it is. I think it‘s one of those “it has to be the right time” books. 4y
90 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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sblbooks
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Pickpick

#NFNov Book 19 finished ⭐⭐⭐⭐
@rsteve388 @Clwojick
Trigger warning: sexual assault
A must-read especially, for anyone who has kids. In the words of one gymnast; little girls grow up to be strong women. The second book this month I have read, where abuse went on for 30 years. 😦These girls were let down numerous times by parents, coaches, and police. I admire these courageous girls/women, who came forward to share their story.

Clwojick Wow. This is getting added to my list. ♥️ 6 pts (edited) 5y
26 likes1 comment