Tender Offer

Reed International PLC
Elsevier NV
8 November 2000

                                                                              
      Issued on behalf of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV    
        

Launch of tender offer for Harcourt General, Inc.

Reed Elsevier plc confirms that through its US subsidiary it has launched
today the previously announced tender offer for the common stock of Harcourt
General, Inc for a purchase price of $59.00 net per share for each share of
common stock and $77.29 net per share for each share of Series A Cumulative
Convertible Stock.