Twisted

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

By: Mary Pilon, Carla Correa

Narrated by: 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.

A must listen!

This was an incredible telling of the Nassar story. Sensitive and thoughtfully done. Particularly powerful description of the many institutions that failed to address these abuses. Everyone should listen to this amazing hybrid between a book and a podcast!

Love isn't the right word.

Though rated 5 stars, I can't say I "love" this. Disturbing and important story from which you should heeds all of its warnings.

beautiful

beautifully woven together and narrated. so sad and so inspirational. such a wonderful book to read

Amazing and captivating.

My only disappointment with this is the fact that it wasn't a longer story. I couldn't stop listening. These women are amazing to prevail over such atrocities. Their bravery and their refusal to step away is nothing short of phenomenal. It's unfortunate that this went on for so long as the victim list is vast and never ending but they are hero's. They saved countless potential victims in the future. They put a stop to it even though for over 20 years they were called liars. It's sad that his position in the community is what made this all possible. HOWEVER, he will get his for sure. Inmates will take care of him. They don't like people like him. So in time he will get it.

Sad but powerful

Child molestation is just awful to read about, but to hear these amazing athletes tell their stories and stand up for themselves in a system that failed them was powerful! This is a well done documentary.

Powerful, Disturbing, Frustrating, Inspiring

I think this book is one that is better listened to than read. To hear the voices of the the victims added a great deal of authenticity. The failures at Michigan State are so egregious, and the punitive damages so minuscule its just wrong. The authors really put together a fine piece of literature here. The book draws you in and keeps you there. You really come to have very high regard for the victims.

Courageous!

A courageous, apologetic, gripping account of the events that brought Larry Nassar to justice. A fantastic piece of work!

Shocking stuff

Shocking how easily a sports official can get away with taking advantage of young athletes for so long

Tragic and Triumphant!

If you can handle this subject it's well worth listening. This is true life crime not fiction. Some raw emotions from folks who were involved with this monster. After decades this creep is finally brought to justice. The take away here is this, when a child or an adult tells you something happened BELIEVE them. As hard as this was to listen to, it's a gazillion times harder for a victim to come forward. WE all need to listen even when we don't want to. These women aren't just victims or survivors, they're HEROS. It's not easy to admit sexual assault, but to relive all of the gory details to law enforcement and testify In a courtroom full of strangers takes more strength than you can possibly imagine. It's harder than the years of training it takes to become a gymnast.

Incredible, emotional, heart-breaking

This was impossible to stop listening to. These women are inspirational for speaking up and I have so many doubts about the systems we trust.