books

At a time when the line between celebrity and reporter is as blurry as ever, look no further than NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell for a poster child. Mitchell, a UPenn graduate (1967) and author of the newly released memoir, Talking Back… To Presidents, Dictators and Assorted Scoundrels (Viking) has been with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan since they began dating in 1984. Just imagine their late-night pillow talk: "Hey honey, any idea when interest rates are going to drop?"

Mitchell, who got her start covering City Hall for KYW radio as a "copyboy," of course vehemently denies receiving any insider information from her hubby (but one can only imagine what happens after a double date with close friends like the Cheneys and a few too many glasses of Merlot). But the book's not just about her marriage. Mitchell tells tales of encounters with major world and political figures, such as Philadelphia mayor Frank Rizzo and Fidel Castro. Her foreign coverage includes her first major story, the 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana, as well as the Hong Kong handover, the Middle East peace process, the India/Pakistan nuclear arms race and the current war in Iraq. Mitchell has also reported on presidential politics since 1972, keeping an eye on every administration from Carter through Bush II --so her insight into D.C. politicos is undeniable.

A true gender pioneer in television, Mitchell could inspire a new generation of strong-willed women to enter broadcast journalism. And although she may sleep with one of the world's most powerful men, she remains an old-school journalist trying to balance the glamour of the spotlight with her mission to report the news.

Andrea Mitchell reads Mon., Nov. 28, 7p.m., Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St., 215-898-7595.