Power at Play

In her ebullient autobiography, Washington Evening Star reporter and syndicated society columnist Beale pours forth a glittering store of anecdotes concerning national leaders, royalty, diplomats and celebrities of all kinds. A Washington insider by birth, she has attended some 15,000 functions since 1945, including many at the White House, whose occupants' varied styles and treatment of the press inspire her most pungent comments. Beale is equally forthcoming about the male-dominated power structure and her love affair, during the years he was ambassador to the U.N., with Adlai Stevenson. She notes the large extent to which public policy is shaped at private parties, whose attendees respect social amenities regardless of political tensions among them. This memoir should appeal to history buffs and gossipmongers alike. Photos not seen by PW . ( June )