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Release of Jack Smith’s Report Amid Political Tensions

Melville House is set to publish a trade paperback edition of the final report from U.S. special counsel Jack Smith, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland. This document is focused on the investigation into President-elect Donald J. Trump’s attempts to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The announced publication, titled The Jack Smith Report: Report on Efforts to Interfere With the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others, is scheduled to hit bookstores “shortly after” Trump’s inauguration, which is slated for January 20. Melville House publisher Dennis Johnson emphasized the importance of this timing, stating, “The first 100 days of a presidential administration are usually very telling for what’s to come. We felt this report should be part of the telling.”

Johnson also expressed concerns regarding the current publishing landscape, noting Trump’s threats against publishers releasing books critical of him and the prevalence of book bans. He indicated this atmosphere of intimidation might restrict access to the report, particularly for readers who favor physical copies. It is noteworthy that the original report was made available in digital format by the government on January 14.

Melville House has previously found success in this niche, having published governmental reports before. Notably, in 2019, the company released The Mueller Report: The Findings of the Office of the Special Counsel on Russian Interference in the 2016 Election, which achieved bestseller status.

The publication of Smith’s report may not only provide insight into historical events surrounding the 2020 election but also highlight ongoing debates about freedom of speech, access to information, and the role of government oversight in the current political climate.

Source
www.publishersweekly.com