Penguin Random House has halted the sales and promotion of journalist Ross Barkan’s upcoming book following his recent dismissal from New York Magazine over multiple plagiarism allegations.
The book, which highlights Mayor Zoran Mamdani and counts Barkan as one of his key supporters in journalism, was originally set to be released in October.
However, “The Revolutionary: Zoran Mandani and the Remaking of American Politics” has vanished from the listings on major retail sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart, as noted by a report from the Washington Post.
While some pages were previously available, they’ve since gone missing from Amazon and other platforms, although an archived version can still be found online.
Penguin Random House has opted not to make any comments regarding this situation. Attempts to reach Barkan for his input have been made.
The book was marketed as an in-depth account from a reporter with unique access to Mamdani’s campaign and his initial tenure as New York mayor, examining the effects of his socialist agenda both locally and nationally.
Barkan has often highlighted his connection to Mamdani, mentioning that he served as his campaign manager during Barkan’s unsuccessful bid for local office in 2018. He’s discussed the book frequently in recent weeks.
Reflecting on his experiences, he stated, “I spent several hours interviewing Mamdani and consulting with over 20 individuals from his circle—friends, allies, and even adversaries.” He communicated his efforts on his Substack in July.
He noted, “I engaged with Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon. This project is one I took pride in, working meticulously on it. The editing process is nearly finished, and ‘The Revolutionary’ is set to hit bookstores this October.”
In a blog post, he aimed to appeal to readers who may be doubtful about Mamdani or wary of a biased narrative.
This suspension of the book followed closely after Barkan’s termination from New York Magazine for plagiarism—67 instances, to be specific.
Barkan has largely maintained a lack of remorse regarding the incident. He suggested he would “publish a new column in The Nation,” but leftist media outlets reported no plans for that, leading to speculation about potential losses of freelance opportunities.
The issue has sparked significant critique on social media. One commentator recalled the lack of sympathy faced by black journalists like Jason Blair during past scandals, expressing disgust over any leniency shown toward Barkan.
Although plagiarism is generally deemed an unforgivable breach in journalism, a handful of his left-leaning supporters have surprisingly defended him, stating that Barkan has shown humility and acknowledged his mistakes, characterizing him as talented and curious, and suggesting efforts should be made to protect his career.
