Twisted

The Story of Larry Nassar and the Women Who Took Him Down

De: Mary Pilon, Carla Correa

Narrado por: Mary Pilon, Carla Correa

America’s top gymnasts have been show stoppers at the Summer Olympics for decades - the women’s artistic team won nine medals in 2016 alone. But beneath the athleticism, smiles, sponsorship deals, and haul of gold medals was a dark secret: a story of sexual abuse and trauma that, when revealed, became one of the biggest scandals in the history of American sports.

In early 2018, Larry Nassar, the former doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, was sentenced to serve out the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to a variety of sex crimes. In a show of unparalleled force, more than 150 young women - from gold medalists to former Michigan State University athletes to old family friends - confronted the once beloved Nassar in court, sharing their pain and resolve. Many of them took legal, financial, and career risks to speak out.

But these women’s stories also reveal a stranger, more far-reaching truth: that the institutions responsible for protecting them - from the United States Olympic Committee to local police departments - had known in some form about the abuse for years, and had not put an end to it. Twisted tells the harrowing story of these crimes and how Larry Nassar got away with them for as long as he did.

New York Times best-selling author Mary Pilon and Carla Correa chronicle the scandal from its inception, tracking the institutions that Nassar hid behind, the athletic culture that he benefited from, and the women who eventually brought him to justice. In this Audible Original, you’ll hear directly from these people - including the voices of coaches, parents, industry leaders, and the survivors themselves - as they grapple with the truth about Nassar and describe what it took to bring him down.

As we mention in Twisted, here are some resources for yourself or a loved one who may need information or confidential support.

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: [phone]
• Darkness to Light: 1-866-FOR-LIGHT or text "LIGHT" to 741741. The organization works to empower adults to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. The website includes a guide to grooming and red flags behavior.
• RAINN and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: [phone]. Its website also has a chat feature.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Army of Survivors: The organization led by the survivor Grace French includes a guide to the basics of trauma.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

So moving!

I wasn't sure I could listen to all of this, but it's such an important story. The producers and writers did an amazing job creating a very emotional story without it being one-note. This book is a journey well worth taking.

Well done, moving, informative

Wow. Kudos to these ladies and all involved in this original. This story brought me to tears while starting a fire of anger at the same time. I feel for these girls, their parents and coaches. So glad this monster was brought to justice and many accolades to the original girls who were brave enough to stand up and speak out!

So Important

Much like other reviewers, I was unsure that I would be able to listen to this story. Anyone I told I was listening to this asked me why. It is such a powerful and impactful story that will help change the culture of gymnastics, sports, and abuse. What these women have endured is unfathomable but so is what they’ve accomplished. I think everyone should hear their story no matter how difficult.

Must listen

This is, at times hard to listen to, but the reality is disturbingly eye-opening! How could this have happened? What a failed system we have. Just think how many more are out there and getting away with it! So proud of each and every one of these girls.

Tough Read, Must Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's hard information to take in, but so well written and performed that I had to hear more. After learning about the case through the media, I didn't have a grasp of what really happened, and for how long, and to how many young women. It was essential that this book contains the actual words of the victims and of the perpetrator. I'm haunted by the words of one of the victims who said that the first complaints against Nassar came before she was even born.