Former foreign editor of Newsweek and former editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine. Frequently contributes to Vanity Fair and Parade; he has a weekly column in Parade called "Personality Parade" under the pseudonym "Walter Scott". Many of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list.
Stepfather-in-law of writer Ruth Shalit, who married film producer Robertson Barrett in September 2004.
The principal for the Business Communications School at the Euclid High School Complex.
Attended Colgate University, graduated from the Columbia University School of General Studies, and received an M.A. degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism.