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John Heidenry and Brett Topel are plagiarists and lawyers suck, too

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by lantaur, Jul 21, 2006.

  1. Angola!

    Angola! Guest

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    No confidentiality agreement?
     
  2. donaugust

    donaugust Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

     
  3. Angola!

    Angola! Guest

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    That was in his plea, but he hadn't told us whether or not their lawyers had requested it. Hence why I asked.
     
  4. donaugust

    donaugust Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    Seemed understood, considering the previous post I cited, plus his stated willingness to name names ...
     
  5. lantaur

    lantaur Well-Known Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    To answer = there is no confidentiallity agreement. :)
     
  6. slappy4428

    slappy4428 Active Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    signed, sealed and delivered?
     
  7. lantaur

    lantaur Well-Known Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (UPDATE#5 - Victory at hand)

    Well, on my end. :) Actually, here was what I was told by my publisher's lawyer:

    "We have reached a settlement and I have electronic signatures from all Defendants. I am waiting on originals to forward to you along with the funds."

    I received my copy - with the signature from the other publisher - and sent my copy back via snail mail. So just waiting on the "all clear" signal just to make sure ...
     
  8. lantaur

    lantaur Well-Known Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (FINAL UPDATE - Names are named)

    OK, I'm told by the lawyer for my publisher that all documents (and the check) are in hand, so this case is over. So at the risk of outing myself, I will name the names of the offending authors:

    John Heidenry and Brett Topel. The book in question is ""The Boys Who Were Left Behind."

    Heidenry has done this before, being sued for plagiarism in his book "What Wild Ecstasy: The Rise and Fall of the Sexual Revolution." The case was similar to mine, in which Heidenry ripped off paragraphs and had them nearly identical in his book (with no credit given). (As I think I mentioned earlier, I have a comparison of paragraphs from both our books - and it is 20 pages long; one instance has like 6 paragraphs repeated almost verbatim.)

    Heidenry also has just published another book, on the Gashouse Gang. I would ask anyone if they have written on any of these above topics, or know someone who has, to check out these books for plagiarism.

    Sadly, Topel is an adjunct professor (or so it says on his bio). You think he should have known better.

    I am hoping through a story or networking or whatever to brand these two, especially Heidenry, who is a repeat offender. Any help with that would of course be greatly appreciated. I don't care if my name or book is ever mentioned, I just think what these guys did is the worst thing a writer can do and people should know about it (and hopefully Heidenry can be stopped).
     
  9. jgmacg

    jgmacg Guest

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (FINAL UPDATE - Names are named)

    Congratulations, Lan. And on behalf of honest writers everywhere, thanks for toughing it out.
     
  10. mike311gd

    mike311gd Active Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (FINAL UPDATE - Names are named)

    Excellent work.
     
  11. wickedwritah

    wickedwritah Guest

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (FINAL UPDATE - Names are named)

    Where does Topel teach?

    Why not go to that university's student newspaper? Surely they'll be interested.
     
  12. lantaur

    lantaur Well-Known Member

    Re: Is this plagiarism? What would you do? (FINAL UPDATE - Names are named)

    Good call; consider it done. :)
     
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