Off the Record

Norman Pearlstine was interviewed before an audience about his book, Off the Record: The Press, the Government, and the War over Anonymous Sources, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. He was editor in chief of Time Inc. when special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald investigated the leak of CIA official Valerie Plame’s identity. In that role, Mr. Pearlstine turned over information from confidential sources who had talked to Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper. In “Off the Record,” Mr. Pearlstine explained his decision. He was interviewed by Walter Isaacson. He responded to questions from audience members, including journalist Bob Woodward.

Norman Pearlstine, editor in chief of Time, Inc. from 1995 to 2005, was previously the managing editor of The Wall Street Journal. He trained as a lawyer before making his career as a journalist. He is now a senior adviser to the Carlyle Group. close