In brief
Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist detained in Russia for over a year, is set to publish a memoir recounting his experiences in prison and Russia’s turn towards autocratic rule. Scheduled for a 2026 release by Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House, the book provides a unique perspective on modern journalism amid political strife.
Evan Gershkovich, who was imprisoned in Russia, is penning a memoir that covers his 16-month ordeal, his experiences living in Moscow for five years, and Russia's gradual move towards autocracy. Scheduled to be published by Crown in 2026, the memoir stands as both a personal testament and an authoritative account of the challenges faced by journalists in increasingly authoritarian environments. Editorial Director Paul Whitlatch describes the work as a "testament to human resilience and a modern-day pinnacle of first-person reportage." Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March 2023 during a reporting trip, charged with espionage—a claim firmly denied by Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government. After a closed trial and initially being sentenced to 16 years, Gershkovich was released as part of an international prisoner swap. The son of Soviet émigrés, Gershkovich has a deep connection to Russia, having previously worked for The Moscow Times and The New York Times before joining The Wall Street Journal. The memoir has been set for publication also in the UK and Netherlands, promising an in-depth exploration of Russia's relationship with the West from a seasoned journalist’s perspective.
