Mark Levin’s new book, “American Marxism,” has become a bestseller, reaching the No. 1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction. The book focuses on the influence of post-Marxist European intellectuals on shaping the American left, particularly referencing scholars from the Frankfurt School. However, Levin has made significant errors in discussing this topic, such as repeatedly referring to the Frankfurt School as the “Franklin School” and inaccurately stating its origins in Berlin.
The Frankfurt School, also known as Critical Theory, was actually established in Frankfurt, Germany at the Institute for Social Research in 1923. After facing closure by the Nazis in 1933, the Institute was relocated to the United States and found a home at Columbia University in New York City. Despite the availability of accurate information about the Frankfurt School online, Levin has continued to misrepresent its history in various appearances on Fox News.
Levin has also made misleading claims about influential figures from the Frankfurt School, like Herbert Marcuse, linking them to movements such as critical race theory. These claims have been criticized for their inaccuracies and lack of understanding of the subjects discussed. Despite Levin’s errors, his book has still achieved success in terms of sales, with over 400,000 copies sold and topping bestseller lists.
While there have been allegations from Levin about big-box stores and book retailers attempting to sabotage sales of his book, these claims appear unlikely given its widespread popularity. A correction has been issued for Levin’s book by the publisher Simon and Schuster, which will be included in future printings. Despite these controversies, Levin’s book continues to be a topic of debate and discussion in the media.
