‘Instant Book’ of Full North Testimony Due

One week from the day that Marine Lt. Col. Oliver L. North concludes his appearance before the congressional committees investigating the Iran- contra affair, an “instant book,” containing North’s entire testimony, will be out.

In New York, Pocket Books said that “Taking the Stand: The Testimony of Lt. Col. Oliver North” will be issued as a $5.95, mass-market paperback. With “orders coming in thick and fast,” Annette Swanberg of Pocket Books in Los Angeles said, the first printing will number at least half a million copies.

The book will carry no byline. The introduction is by former CBS and CNN newsman Daniel Schorr, now a commentator with National Public Radio.

“Not since Watergate has a congressional hearing so captured the nation’s attention,” said Jack Romanos, president of mass market publishing for Pocket Books’ parent company, Simon & Schuster. “And therefore we felt it was important to make available as quickly as possible a permanent public record.”

The information in the book will come from daily transcripts of the hearings. Comments between and among counsel and witness, as well as congressional questioners, will be included.

Because the material is considered public domain, no permission to publish is required from North or any other participant. North will receive no payment in connection with the book.

“Oliver North has emerged as a highly controversial figure,” Irwyn Applebaum, president and publisher of Pocket Books, said. “This book will allow people to carefully examine his historic testimony.”