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This series contains Persico's public papers, including press releases, transcripts of press conferences, television and radio interviews, and drafts of speeches written for New York State Commissioner of Health Hollis Ingraham and Nelson A. Rockefeller (1964-1977). Press releases and transcripts associated with the speeches are also present in the Persico files. Rockefeller's Messages to the Legislature and "Quotes on Issues" during the late 1960s and early 1970s have been filed in this series with the speeches written by Persico. Several boxes contained in this series are subject files relating personally to the author, his work, and to Nelson Rockefeller. A partial index to speeches is available in the Department of Special Collections and Archives. Consult a staff member for details. Also included in this series are subject files and news clippings. While most of these documents date from 1964-1977, some related materials date from 1947-1981.

This series contains the notes, research material, interviews, drafts, news clippings, and memoranda which comprise Mr. Persico's files for his books.

The texts, drafts, news clippings, correspondence, and other supporting material is available for speeches and other non-book writings of Persico.

Correspondence to and from Persico can be found throughout the collection. For example, references to Persico's publications will be found in both the general correspondence files and the subseries of specific publications. While some correspondence is clearly personal or professional, there is not always a clear separation between the author's personal and professional correspondents. Persico appears to have retained copies of much of his outgoing correspondence in the form of typed and handwritten letters and email messages. The author's notable correspondents include: director John Huston who Persico interviewed for an article in American Heritage; Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Michael Shaara (1983) and William Kennedy (1983); journalist Jim Lehrer (1986); Broadway and television director Edwin Sherin (1985); author Thomas Powers (1993); and Casey Murrow (1995, 1998) among others.

The Biographical series is predominantly material from early in Persico's career. Included are folders related to his election as the Executive Secretary of the New York State Young Democrats in 1958 and his time as a Foreign Service Officer in Latin America. Of particular biographical note are the scrapbook and news clippings folders which include selected highlights from throughout Persico's career in government service and as an author.