📖 Overview
Jodi Kantor is an investigative reporter for The New York Times and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for breaking major stories that have sparked significant social change. Her most notable work includes co-breaking the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment story in 2017 with Megan Twohey, which helped launch the global #MeToo movement.
Prior to her investigative work, Kantor covered Barack and Michelle Obama for the Times, resulting in her first book "The Obamas" (2012), which detailed the first couple's initial years in the White House. She joined The New York Times in 2003 as Arts & Leisure editor before transitioning to reporting roles.
The Weinstein investigation led to her second book, "She Said" (2019), co-authored with Twohey, documenting their investigation process and the challenges they faced in exposing decades of alleged abuse by the Hollywood producer. The book was later adapted into a major motion picture in 2022.
Kantor's investigative work has also covered topics including workplace conditions at Amazon, Starbucks unionization efforts, and gender equality issues in corporate America. Her reporting has earned multiple honors including the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, the George Polk Award, and the McGill Medal for Journalistic Courage.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Kantor's investigative journalism skills and ability to build trust with sources. Her book "She Said" receives particular attention for its detailed documentation of the Weinstein investigation process.
Readers appreciate:
- Clear, methodical explanation of investigative methods
- Focus on facts over sensationalism
- Inclusion of source documents and evidence
- Balanced portrayal of complex situations
Common criticisms:
- Writing style can be dry and procedural
- Some sections feel padded with unnecessary detail
- Occasional timeline jumps create confusion
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.33/5 from 52,000+ ratings
Amazon: 4.7/5 from 2,800+ reviews
BookBrowse: 4.5/5 from 89 reviews
Multiple readers note Kantor's commitment to accuracy over dramatic storytelling. As one Amazon reviewer states: "The focus stays on the journalism and fact-finding rather than creating artificial drama." Several Goodreads reviews mention the book's "matter-of-fact" approach helps underscore the gravity of the reporting.
📚 Books by Jodi Kantor
The Obamas
An inside account of Barack and Michelle Obama's experiences during their first years in the White House, examining their transition to life as the first family and the challenges they faced.
She Said A detailed chronicle of the investigative reporting process that exposed Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual harassment and abuse, documenting how journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey pursued the story and convinced sources to go on record.
She Said A detailed chronicle of the investigative reporting process that exposed Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual harassment and abuse, documenting how journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey pursued the story and convinced sources to go on record.
👥 Similar authors
Ronan Farrow
His investigative journalism on sexual abuse parallels Kantor's work on the Weinstein case, with similar focus on power dynamics and institutional cover-ups. His book "Catch and Kill" documents the investigation process and obstacles faced while reporting on sexual misconduct in media.
Jane Mayer Her deep investigative work for The New Yorker focuses on money, politics, and abuse of power. Mayer's book "Dark Money" demonstrates the same commitment to exposing hidden truths that characterizes Kantor's reporting.
Michael Lewis His narrative non-fiction works uncover systemic problems and tell complex stories through human perspectives. Lewis's approach to explaining complicated systems in books like "The Big Short" mirrors Kantor's ability to make intricate investigations accessible.
David Carr His media criticism and investigative work at The New York Times covered similar territory to Kantor's examinations of power structures. Carr's memoir "The Night of the Gun" shows the same dedication to truth-seeking and fact-checking evident in Kantor's work.
Rebecca Traister Her reporting on gender, politics, and social movements aligns with Kantor's focus on workplace equality and women's rights. Traister's books like "Good and Mad" examine the intersection of gender and power that Kantor explores in her investigations.
Jane Mayer Her deep investigative work for The New Yorker focuses on money, politics, and abuse of power. Mayer's book "Dark Money" demonstrates the same commitment to exposing hidden truths that characterizes Kantor's reporting.
Michael Lewis His narrative non-fiction works uncover systemic problems and tell complex stories through human perspectives. Lewis's approach to explaining complicated systems in books like "The Big Short" mirrors Kantor's ability to make intricate investigations accessible.
David Carr His media criticism and investigative work at The New York Times covered similar territory to Kantor's examinations of power structures. Carr's memoir "The Night of the Gun" shows the same dedication to truth-seeking and fact-checking evident in Kantor's work.
Rebecca Traister Her reporting on gender, politics, and social movements aligns with Kantor's focus on workplace equality and women's rights. Traister's books like "Good and Mad" examine the intersection of gender and power that Kantor explores in her investigations.