WILEY JOHN & SONS INC
10-K, 2000-06-29
BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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                                    FORM 10-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549

               [x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                        THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                     For the fiscal year ended: April, 30, 2000
                                 ---------------

                                       OR

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

                        For the transition period from to
                         Commission file number 1-11507

                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

    NEW YORK                                                    13-5593032
------------------------                            ---------------------------
 State or other jurisdiction of                            I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization                             Identification No.
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY                                 10158-0012
-------------------------------                    ----------------------------
Address of principal executive offices                          Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number including area code           (212) 850-6000
                   -----------------------------------------------

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of each class                   Name of each exchange on which registered
------------------------------------      --------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share          New York Stock Exchange
Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share          New York Stock Exchange

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                             None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange  Act of
1934  during the  preceding  12 months (or for such  shorter  period  that the
Registrant  was  required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes           No
                                                 ----------      --------

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K _____

The number of shares  outstanding of the Registrant's Class A and Class B Common
Stock,  par  value  $1.00  per  share as of May 31,  2000,  was  48,923,008  and
11,813,564 respectively, and the aggregate market value of such shares of Common
Stock held by  non-affiliates of the Registrant as of such date was $660,729,313
based upon the closing market price of the Class A and Class B Common Stock.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The  Registrant's  Definitive proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission on
or about  August 8, 2000 for the Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held on
September 21, 2000, (the "2000 Proxy  Statement") is, to the extent noted below,
incorporated by reference in Part III.


<PAGE>
                                     PART I

Item 1.       Business


              The Company is a New York corporation  incorporated on January 15,
              1904. (As used herein the term "Company"  means John Wiley & Sons,
              Inc., and its  subsidiaries and affiliated  companies,  unless the
              context indicates otherwise).


              The  Company  is  a  global  publisher  of  print  and  electronic
              products,  specializing  in  scientific,   technical  and  medical
              journals  and  books;   professional   and   consumer   books  and
              subscription   services;   and  textbooks  and  other  educational
              materials  for  undergraduate  and  graduate  students  as well as
              lifelong  learners.  The Company  has  publishing,  marketing  and
              distribution centers in the United States,  Canada,  Europe, Asia,
              and  Australia.  Technology  is  enabling  the Company to make its
              content more accessible to its global communities of interest.

              Scientific, Technical, and Medical (STM) Publishing

              The Company is a leading  publisher for the scientific,  technical
              and medical  communities  worldwide.  It's STM programs  encompass
              journals, encyclopedias, books and other products in subjects such
              as the  life  and  medical  sciences,  chemistry,  statistics  and
              mathematics,  and  electrical  and  electronics  engineering.  The
              Company  develops  products  in  the  United  States,  the  United
              Kingdom,  and  Germany - primarily  in English,  but in some cases
              German - for global distribution.  STM publishing  represented 41%
              of total revenues in fiscal 2000.

              Wiley InterScience,  the Company's Web-based service,  offers more
              than  300 of  the  Company's  STM  journals  online  for  sale  by
              subscription license, and, in the future, by purchase of access to
              individual  articles.  In addition,  the Company is expanding  the
              content of Wiley  InterScience to include fully searchable  online
              reference material as evidenced by the recent launch of the online
              24-volume   Wiley   Encyclopedia  of  Electrical  and  Electronics
              Engineering,  the first of  approximately 30 major reference works
              that are to be added to Wiley  InterScience.  Titles will  include
              the 27-volume Kirk-Othmer  Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology and
              the 28-volume  Ullmann's  Encyclopedia  of  Industrial  Chemistry,
              Patty's  Industrial  Hygiene  and  Toxicology,  as well as Current
              Protocols, the widely used laboratory manual series.

              Other  new  features  of  Wiley  InterScience  include  EarlyView,
              launched  in May 2000,  wherein  customers  can access  individual
              articles online well in advance of the print issue. The Company is
              also improving Wiley  InterScience with full-text HTML versions of
              journal  content,  allowing  more advanced  search and  navigation
              options,  and providing  customers with greater choice and control
              over the information they retrieve.

              The Company  entered into an alliance with 32 other  publishers to
              launch and operate  CrossRef to facilitate  the research  process.
              CrossRef is an electronic  linking system that will allow a reader
              to click on a reference in a journal  published by one participant
              and go directly to the referenced article, even if it is published
              by another participant and located on that publisher's server.


<PAGE>

              Professional/Trade Publishing

              The  Company's   professional/trade  program  includes  books  and
              subscription   products,   both   print   and   electronic,    for
              professionals and business people. Subject areas include business,
              accounting,  computers,  psychology,  architecture,   engineering,
              culinary arts,  education/health  management and general interest.
              Products are developed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia,
              and  Australia  for  worldwide   distribution   through   multiple
              channels,   including   bookstores,   the  Internet,   and  direct
              marketing.  Professional/trade  publishing  accounted  for  33% of
              total revenues in fiscal 2000.

              During   the  year,   the   Company   acquired   Jossey-Bass   for
              approximately  $81 million.  Jossey-Bass  specializes in books and
              journals  for  professionals  and  executives  in  such  areas  as
              business,  psychology and education/health management. The Company
              also acquired the J.K. Lasser tax and financial  guides during the
              year.  In  addition,  the Company has  expanded  its  alliances to
              include an agreement  with CNBC, a world leader in business  news,
              to  publish a series  of books  that will  provide  insights  into
              personal  investing,  and educate  both avid CNBC  viewers and the
              average consumer.

              Electronic  products are a growing part of the  professional/trade
              program.  Examples  include  the Wiley  Virtual  CPA Exam  Review,
              developed in  partnership  with  KeepSmart.com,  Inc. Based on the
              Company's Delaney CPA Examination  Review, it adds convenience and
              value for  customers  by  transforming  the  product  into a fully
              interactive  course on the Web. The Web-based  version  offers CPA
              candidates the interactivity of a live classroom experience,  with
              a program  that lets them  study at their  desktop  computers.  It
              features full-streaming audio and video lectures,  online learning
              and   problem-solving,   and  a  discussion   forum  monitored  by
              accounting professionals.

              The Company's  TheraScribe/Practice  Planner library has been used
              in print and  electronic  formats by more than 200,000  behavioral
              health  professionals  to improve the quality of patient  care and
              streamline clinical recordkeeping.  The Company is partnering with
              Netsmart  Technologies  to  deliver  this  product  to  customers'
              desktops in a dynamic publishing model.

              Management  training is another  area that lends  itself to online
              products.  Jossey-Bass  is  developing a Web-based  version of its
              widely used management  assessment program,  Leadership  Practices
              Inventory,  by James  M.  Kouzes  and  Barry  Z.  Posner.  The new
              interactive version is designed to facilitate  management training
              and evaluation  through  online  scoring and test  administration,
              test/retest score analysis,  and detailed feedback on how managers
              can improve their leadership skills.

              The  Internet  not only  enables  the  Company to deliver  content
              online,  but also helps to sell more  books.  The growth of online
              booksellers  benefits the Company  because they provide  unlimited
              virtual "shelf space" for the Company's entire backlist. More than
              10% of the Company's  worldwide  sales of  professional  and trade
              books in fiscal 2000 were through online bookstores.

              Educational Publishing

              The  Company  publishes   English-language   textbooks  and  other
              educational materials in print, CD-ROMs, and online formats in the
              United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia for undergraduate and
              graduate  students and lifelong  learners.  Programs are targeted,
              focusing on the sciences, mathematics,  engineering, and business.
              In  Australia,  the  Company is also a leading  publisher  for the
              secondary school market.  Educational  publishing generated 26% of
              total revenues in fiscal 2000.
<PAGE>

              During the  current  fiscal  year,  the Company  acquired  certain
              publishing  assets from Pearson  Education for  approximately  $57
              million, including college textbooks and instructional packages in
              biology/anatomy  and physiology,  engineering,  computer  science,
              mathematics, economics, finance, and teacher education.

              All of the Company's major textbooks have a technology  component.
              Currently,  there  are  over 300  Websites  serving  the  needs of
              professors  and students.  As part of the purchase  price of a new
              text,  a student  receives  a  password  to a  Website  containing
              additional and timely learning materials.

              The Company is working with course management  providers,  such as
              WebCT and Blackboard,  to offer interactive  syllabi,  chat rooms,
              and assessment  tools including  online  quizzing and testing.  In
              addition, the Company has formed a partnership with Versaware Inc.
              to issue  approximately  15 Wiley texts as ebooks that can be read
              online, downloaded, or printed from the Web.

              One of the trends in higher education is toward distance  learning
              - students  taking  online  courses  either on or off campus.  The
              Company's  initial  efforts involve  exploratory  projects as this
              market  evolves,   including  forming   partnerships  with  course
              developers,  such as an alliance with Caliber  Learning Network to
              provide  distance  learning  courses to the higher  education  and
              corporate  training markets;  the transatlantic  alliance with the
              International  Securities  Market  Association  in  Switzerland to
              create  Internet-based  finance courses; and the alliance with the
              Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS)
              to provide online  teaching cases for use in courses in management
              science,  operations research,  operations  management,  and other
              business and engineering areas.

              Publishing Operations

              Journal Products

              The   Company    publishes    over   400    journals   and   other
              subscription-based products, which accounted for approximately 34%
              of the Company's fiscal 2000 revenues.  Most journals are owned by
              the  Company,  in which case they may or may not be sponsored by a
              professional  society.  Some  are  owned  by  such  societies  and
              published  by the  Company  under an  agreement.  Societies  which
              sponsor or own such journals  generally  receive a royalty  and/or
              other   consideration   which   varies  with  the  nature  of  the
              relationship.  The Company  usually  enters into  agreements  with
              outside  independent editors of journals which state the duties of
              the  editors,  and the  fees  and  expenses  for  their  services.
              Contributors of journal articles  transfer  publication  rights to
              the Company or professional society, as applicable.

              Journal  subscriptions result primarily from direct mail and other
              advertising   and  promotional   campaigns,   renewals  which  are
              solicited  annually  either  directly  or  by  companies  commonly
              referred to as independent subscription agents, and memberships in
              the  professional  societies for those journals that are sponsored
              by such  societies.  Printed  journals  are  generally  mailed  to
              subscribers directly from independent printers.

              Journal  content for  virtually  all of the  journals is also made
              available online through subscription licenses ranging from one to
              three years,  and by selling  online access to individual  journal
              articles.

              Book Products

              Materials  for  book   publications   are  obtained  from  authors
              throughout  most of the world  through the efforts of an editorial
              staff,  outside  editorial  advisors,  and advisory  boards.  Most
              materials originate with their authors, but many are prepared as a
              result of suggestions or solicitations by editors or advisors. The
              Company  usually enters into  agreements  with authors which state
              the terms and  conditions  under  which  the  respective  authors'
<PAGE>

              materials  will be published and under which other related  rights
              may be  exercised,  the  name  in  which  the  copyright  will  be
              registered,  the basis for any royalties,  and other matters. Most
              of the authors are  compensated  by royalties  which vary with the
              nature of the  product and its  anticipated  sales  potential.  In
              general,  royalties for  textbooks  and consumer  books are higher
              than royalties for research and reference works. The Company makes
              advances  against  future  royalties  to authors of certain of its
              publications.  The Company  continues  to add new  titles,  revise
              existing titles,  and discontinue the sale of others in the normal
              course of its  business.  The  Company's  general  practice  is to
              revise  its  basic   textbooks  every  three  to  five  years,  if
              warranted,   and  to   revise   other   titles   as   appropriate.
              Subscription-based products, other than journals, are updated more
              frequently  on  a  regular  schedule.  Approximately  35%  of  the
              Company's fiscal 2000 domestic book publishing  revenues were from
              titles published or revised in that fiscal year.

              Professional  and  consumer  book sales  consist of sales to trade
              bookstores and online  booksellers  serving the general public, to
              wholesalers  who  supply  such  bookstores,   to  certain  college
              bookstores  for their  non-textbook  requirements,  to  individual
              professional practitioners, and to research institutions, jobbers,
              libraries  (including public,  professional,  academic,  and other
              special  libraries),  industrial  organizations,  and governmental
              agencies.  The Company employs sales representatives who call upon
              independent  bookstores,  along with  national and regional  chain
              bookstores,  wholesalers  and jobbers.  Trade sales to bookstores,
              wholesalers  and jobbers are generally made on a fully  returnable
              basis.  Sales of professional  and consumer books also result from
              direct  mail   campaigns,   telemarketing,   online  access,   and
              advertising and reviews in periodicals.

              Adopted textbooks (i.e.,  textbooks prescribed for course use) are
              sold primarily to bookstores, including online bookstores, serving
              educational    institutions.    The    Company    employs    sales
              representatives  who  call  on  faculty  members  responsible  for
              selecting books to be used in courses, and on the bookstores which
              serve such  institutions  and their  students.  Textbook sales are
              generally made on a fully returnable  basis. The textbook business
              is seasonal with the majority of textbook sales  occurring  during
              June through  August and  November  through  January.  There is an
              active used textbook market which negatively  affects the sales of
              new textbooks.

              Like most other publishers,  the Company generally  contracts with
              independent printers and binderies for their services. The Company
              purchases its paper from independent suppliers and printers. Paper
              prices on average  decreased  slightly during fiscal 2000, but are
              expected  to increase in the  future.  The Company  believes  that
              adequate printing and binding facilities, and sources of paper and
              other  required  materials are available to it, and that it is not
              dependent  upon any single  supplier.  Printed  book  products are
              distributed from Company operated warehouses.

              The Company performs marketing and distribution services for other
              publishers   under  agency   arrangements.   It  also  engages  in
              co-publishing of titles with foreign publishers and in publication
              of  adaptations  of works from  other  publishers  for  particular
              markets.   The  Company  also  receives  licensing  revenues  from
              photocopies, reproductions and electronic uses of its content.

              The Company is increasingly  developing  content in digital format
              that can be used for both online and print products, which results
              in productivity and efficiency  savings,  as well as being able to
              offer customized  publishing and  print-on-demand  products.  Book
              content is increasingly  being made available  online and in ebook
              format  through  licenses with alliance  partners.  The Company is
              also developing online communities of interest both on its own and
              in partnership  with others to expand the market for its products.
              The Company believes that the demand for new electronic technology
              products  will  increase.  Accordingly,  to  properly  service its
<PAGE>

              customers and to remain  competitive,  the Company  anticipates it
              will be necessary to increase its expenditures related to such new
              technologies over the next several years.

              International Operations

              The Company's  publications  are sold throughout most of the world
              through subsidiaries  located in Europe,  Canada,  Australia,  and
              Asia, or through agents, or directly from the United States. These
              subsidiaries market their own indigenous publications,  as well as
              publications   produced  by  the  domestic  operations  and  other
              subsidiaries  and affiliates.  The Export Sales  Department in the
              United States markets the Company's publications through agents as
              well as foreign sales representatives in countries not served by a
              foreign subsidiary.  John Wiley & Sons International  Rights, Inc.
              sells  foreign  reprint  and  translations   rights.  The  Company
              publishes,  or licenses others to publish,  its products which are
              distributed   throughout  the  world  in  35  foreign   languages.
              Approximately  41% of the  Company's  fiscal  2000  revenues  were
              derived from non-U.S. markets.

              Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, and Environment

              Substantially  all of the Company's  publications are protected by
              copyright,  either in its own name,  in the name of the  author of
              the work, or in the name of the sponsoring  professional  society.
              Such copyrights  protect the Company's  exclusive right to publish
              the work in the  United  States and in many  countries  abroad for
              specified periods:  in most cases the author's life plus 70 years,
              but in any event a minimum of 28 years for works  published  prior
              to 1978 and 35 years for works published thereafter.

              The Company does not own any other material  patents,  franchises,
              or concessions,  but does have  registered  trademarks and service
              marks in connection with its publishing businesses.  The Company's
              operations   are   generally   not   affected   by   environmental
              legislation.

              Concentration of Credit Risk

              The Company's  business is not dependent  upon a single  customer,
              the  loss of which  could  have a  material  adverse  effect.  The
              journal   subscription   business  is  primarily  sourced  through
              independent   subscription   agents  who  facilitate  the  journal
              ordering process by consolidating the subscription orders/billings
              of each subscriber with various  publishers.  Monies are collected
              in advance from  subscribers  by the  subscription  agents and are
              remitted  to  the  journal  publishers,   including  the  Company,
              generally prior to the commencement of the subscriptions. Although
              at fiscal year-end the Company had minimal credit risk exposure to
              these  agents,  future  calendar year  subscription  receipts from
              these agents are highly dependent on their financial  position and
              liquidity.  Subscription  agents account for  approximately 24% of
              total  consolidated  revenues  and no one agent  accounts for more
              than  7% of  total  consolidated  revenues.  The  book  publishing
              business has witnessed a significant concentration in national and
              regional  bookstore  chains  in  recent  years;  however,  no  one
              customer accounts for more than 6% of total consolidated revenues.

              Competition Within the Publishing Industry

              The  sectors of the  publishing  industry  in which the Company is
              engaged are highly competitive. The principal competitive criteria
              for the  publishing  industry are believed to be product  quality,
              suitability  of format  and  subject  matter,  author  reputation,
              price,  timely  availability  of both new titles and  revisions of
              existing books, online availability of journal and other published
              information  and, for textbooks  and certain  trade books,  timely
              delivery of products to retail outlets and consumers. Recent years
<PAGE>

              have seen a  consolidation  trend within the publishing  industry,
              including  several  publishing  companies  having been acquired by
              larger publishers and other companies.

              Based upon currently  available industry  statistics,  the Company
              believes that of books published and sold in the United States, it
              accounts  for   approximately  5%  of  the  total  sales  of  such
              university  and college  textbooks,  and  approximately  3% of the
              total sales of such professional books.

              The Company knows of no reliable  industry  statistics which would
              enable it to determine its share of the various foreign markets in
              which it operates. The Company believes that the percentage of its
              total book  publishing  sales in markets outside the United States
              is higher than that of most of the United States  publishers.  The
              Company  also  believes  it is in the top  rank of  publishers  of
              scientific  and  technical  journals  worldwide,  as  well  as the
              leading commercial  chemistry publisher at the research level, and
              one of the leading  publishers of university and college textbooks
              for the "hardside"  disciplines,  i.e., sciences,  engineering and
              mathematics.

              Employees

              As of April 30, 2000,  the Company  employed  approximately  2,300
              persons on a full-time basis worldwide.

              Financial Information About Industry Segments

              The  note  entitled   "Segment   Information"   of  the  Notes  to
              Consolidated  Financial Statements listed in the attached index is
              incorporated herein by reference.

              Financial Information about Foreign and
              Domestic Operations and Export Sales

              The  note  entitled   "Segment   Information"   of  the  Notes  to
              Consolidated  Financial Statements listed in the attached index is
              incorporated herein by reference.

              Executive Officers

              Set forth below as of April 30, 2000 are the names and ages of all
              executive  officers of the Company,  the period  during which they
              have been  officers,  and the  offices  presently  held by each of
              them.

              Name and age   Officer since   Present office


              Bradford Wiley II    1993      Chairman of the Board since January
                    59                       1993 and a Director

              William J. Pesce     1989      President and Chief  Executive
                    49                       Officer and a Director since May 1,
                                             1998, (previously Chief Operating
                                             Officer;  Executive Vice President,
                                             Educational and International
                                             Group; Senior Vice President,
                                             Educational and International
                                             Group;and Senior Vice President,
                                             Educational Publishing)

              Stephen A. Kippur    1986      Executive Vice President and
                      53                     President, Professional  and Trade
                                             Publishing since  July  1998
                                             (previously Executive Vice
                                             President and Group  President,
                                             Professional, Reference & Trade;
                                             Senior Vice President,Professional,
                                             Reference & Trade Publishing Group)

<PAGE>

              Robert D. Wilder     1986      Executive Vice President and Chief
                     51                      Financial and Operations Officer
                                             since June 1996 previously  Senior
                                             Vice President, Chief Financial
                                             Officer)

              William Arlington    1990      Senior  Vice President, Human
                      51                     Resources since June 1996
                                             (previously Vice President,
                                             Human Resources)

              Peter W. Clifford    1989      Senior Vice President, Finance,
                      54                     Corporate Controller and Chief
                                             Accounting  Officer since June 1996
                                             (previously Vice President, Finance
                                             and Controller)

              Timothy B. King      1996      Senior Vice President, Planning and
                      60                     Planning and Development)

              Richard S. Rudick    1978      Senior Vice President, General
                      61                     Counsel since June 1989

              Deborah E. Wiley     1982      Senior Vice President, Corporate
                      54                     Communications since June 1996
                                             (previously Vice President and
                                             Director of Corporate
                                             Communications, and a Director  of
                                             the Company  until September 1998.)

              Each of the  officers  listed  above  will  serve  until  the next
              organizational  meeting of the Board of  Directors  of the Company
              and until each of the  respective  successors  is duly elected and
              qualified.  Deborah E. Wiley is the sister of  Bradford  Wiley II.
              There  is  no  other   family   relationship   among  any  of  the
              aforementioned individuals.

Item 2.       Properties

              The Company's publishing businesses occupy office,  warehouse, and
              distribution  centers  in various  parts of the  world,  as listed
              below (excluding those locations with less than 10,000 square feet
              of floor area, none of which is considered material property).
                                                                Lease Expiration
              Location             Purpose     Approx. Sq. Ft.        Date


              Leased-domestic
              New York          Executive and     232,000             2003
                                Editorial Offices

              New Jersey        Distribution      170,000             2003
                                Center and Office

              New Jersey        Warehouses        247,000             2002

              California        Office            40,000              2002

              Owned-foreign

              Germany           Office            66,000
<PAGE>


              Leased-foreign

              Australia         Office            16,000              2002
                                Warehouse         29,000              2003

              Canada            Office            14,000              2001
                                Warehouse         41,000              2001

              England           Office            49,000              2009
                                Warehouse         96,000              2012

              Germany           Warehouse         70,000              2008

              Singapore         Office and        53,000              2002
                                Warehouse
              All of the  buildings  and  the  equipment  owned  or  leased  are
              believed to be in good condition and are generally fully utilized.

Item 3.       Legal Proceedings
              The  Company is  involved in routine  litigation  in the  ordinary
              course of its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
              resolution  of all  pending  litigation  will not have a  material
              effect upon the  financial  condition or results of  operations of
              the Company.

Item 4.       Submission of Matters to a
              Vote of Security Holders

              No matters were submitted to the Company's security holders during
              the last quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000.

                                     PART II

Item 5.        Market for the Company's Common
              Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

              The  Quarterly  Share Prices,  Dividends  and Related  Stockholder
              Matters  listed in the attached index are  incorporated  herein by
              reference.

Item 6.       Selected Financial Data

              The  Selected  Financial  Data  listed  in the  attached  index is
              incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of
              Financial Condition and Results of Operations

              Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
              Results of Operations listed in the attached index is incorporated
              herein by reference.

Item 7A.      Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

              The  information  appearing  under the  caption  "Market  Risk" in
              Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
              Results of Operations listed in the attached index is incorporated
              herein by reference.

<PAGE>

Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

              The  financial  statements  and  supplementary  data listed in the
              attached index are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.       Changes in and Disagreements with
              Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

              None.

                                    PART III
Item 10.      Directors and Executive Officers

              The information  regarding the Board of Directors on pages 4 to 10
              of the 2000 Proxy Statement is  incorporated  herein by reference,
              and information  regarding Executive Officers appears in Part I of
              this report.

Item 11.      Executive Compensation

              The  information  on pages 9 to 15 of the 2000 Proxy  Statement is
              incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.      Security Ownership of Certain
              Beneficial Owners and Management

              The  information  on  pages  2,  3,  7,  and 8 of the  2000  Proxy
              Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

              None.


                                     PART IV
Item 14.      Exhibits, Financial Statement
              Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K


              (a) Financial Statements and Schedules

                  (1) List  of  Financial   Statements   filed.   The  financial
                      statements  listed in the attached index are filed as part
                      of this Report.
                  (2) List of Financial Statement Schedules filed. The financial
                      statement  schedules  listed  in  the attached index are
                      filed as part of this Report.


              (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

              No reports on form 8-K were filed  during the quarter  ended April
30, 2000.

              (c) Exhibits

              2.1     Amendment  No. 1 to the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated
                      as of April 15,  1999  between  the Company and Pearson
                      Inc.  (incorporated  by reference to the Company's Report
                      on Form 8-K dated as of May 10, 1999).

              2.2     Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of April 15,  1999
                      between  the  Company  and  Pearson  Inc.  (incorporated
                      by reference to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated as
                      of May 10, 1999).
<PAGE>


              2.3     Stock Purchase  Agreement dated as of May 21, 1999 between
                      the Company and Pearson Education,  Inc.  (incorporated by
                      reference to the Company's  Report on Form 8-K dated as of
                      May 21, 1999).

              3.1     Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  (incorporated  by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-K for the
                      year ended April 30, 1992).

              3.2     Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of
                      Incorporation  dated  October  13,  1995  (incorporated by
                      reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the
                      year ended April 30, 1997).

              3.3     Certificate   of   Amendment   of   the   Certificate   of
                      Incorporation  dated as of September 1998 (incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended October 31, 1998).

              3.4     Certificate   of   Amendment   of   the   Certificate   of
                      Incorporation  dated as of September 1999 (incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended October 31, 1999).

              3.5     By-Laws as Amended and Restated dated as of September 1998
                      (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form
                      10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 1998).

              10.1    Credit  agreement  dated as of November 15, 1996 among the
                      Company,  the Banks from time to time parties hereto,  and
                      Morgan  Guaranty  Trust  Company  of New  York,  as  Agent
                      (incorporated by reference to the Company's report on Form
                      10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 1996).
             10.2     Agreement of Lease dated as of May 16, 1985 between Fisher
                      40th & 3rd Company and Hawaiian  Realty,  Inc.,  Landlord,
                      and the Company,  Tenant (incorporated by reference to the
                      Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30,
                      1985).
              10.3    Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the
                      Company's Definitive Proxy Statement dated August 6, 1999)

              10.4    Executive Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
                      to the Company's  Definitive  Proxy Statement dated August
                      6, 1999).

              10.5    1991 Key Employee Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to
                      the Company's  Definitive  Proxy Statement dated August 8,
                      1991).

              10.6    Amendment  to 1991 Key  Employee  Stock plan  dated as of
                      September  19,  1996  (incorporated  by  reference  to
                      the  Company's  Definitive  Proxy Statement dated August
                      9, 1996).

              10.7    1987  Incentive  Stock Option and  Performance  Stock Plan
                      (incorporated  by  reference to the  Company's  Definitive
                      Proxy Statements dated August 10, 1987).

              10.8    Amendment to 1987 Incentive  Stock  Option and Performance
                      Stock Plan dated as of March 2, 1989  (incorporated by
                      reference to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the
                      year ended April 30, 1989).

              10.9    1990  Director  Stock  Plan as Amended  and  Restated  as
                      of June 22,  1995  (incorporated  by  reference  to the
                      Company's  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April
                      30, 1997).

              10.10   1989 Supplemental  Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated
                      by reference to the Company's  Report on Form 10-K for the
                      year ended April 30, 1989).
<PAGE>

              10.11   Form of the Fiscal Year 1998 Executive Long Term Incentive
                      Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on
                      Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1998).

              10.12   Form of the Fiscal Year 1999 Executive Long Term Incentive
                      Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on
                      Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1999).

              10.13   Form of the Fiscal Year 2000 Qualified Executive Long Term
                      Incentive Plan.

              10.14   Form of the Fiscal Year 2000 Qualified Executive Annual
                      Incentive Plan.

              10.15   Form of the Fiscal Year 2000 Executive Annual Strategic
                      Milestones Incentive Plan.

              10.16   Senior Executive  Employment Agreement dated as of January
                      8,  1998   between   William  J.  Pesce  and  the  Company
                      (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form
                      10-K for the year ended April 30, 1998).

              10.17   Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated as of June 23, 1994
                      between William J. Pesce and the Company  (incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

              10.18   Senior Executive  Employment Agreement dated as of July 1,
                      1994   between   Stephen  A.   Kippur   and  the   Company
                      (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form
                      10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

             10.19    Amendment  No.  1 to  Stephen  A.  Kippur's  Senior
                      Executive  Employment  Agreement  dated  as of July 1,1994
                      (incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

             10.20    Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated as of June 23, 1994
                      between Stephen A. Kippur and the Company (incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

             10.21    Employment Agreement dated as of June 15, 2000 between
                      Robert D. Wilder and the Company.

               10.22  Senior Executive  Employment Agreement dated as of July 1,
                      1994   between   Robert   D.   Wilder   and  the   Company
                      (incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on Form
                      10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

               10.23  Amendment  No.  1 to  Robert  D.  Wilder's  Senior
                      Executive  Employment  Agreement dated  as of July 1, 1994
                      (incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Report on
                      Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

               10.24  Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated as of June 23, 1994
                      between Robert D. Wilder and the Company  (incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-Q for the
                      quarterly period ended July 31, 1995).

              10.25   Employment  Agreement  letter dated as of January 16, 1997
                      between Richard S. Rudick and the Company (Incorporated by
                      reference  to the  Company's  Report  on Form 10-K for the
                      year ended April 30, 1997).

              10.26  Employment Agreement  letter  dated as of January  16, 1997
                     between Timothy B. King and the Company.

               22    List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

               23   Consent of Independent Public Accountants  (included in this
                    report as listed in the attached index).

               27  Financial Data Schedule.

<PAGE>

                    JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

The  following  financial  statements  and  information  appearing  on the pages
indicated are filed as part of this Report:

                                                                        Page(s)

Report of Independent Public Accountants and

     Consent of Independent Public Accountants................................14

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

     as of April 30, 2000 and 1999............................................15

Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings

     for the years ended April 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998........................16

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

     for the years ended April 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998........................16

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the

     years ended April 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998................................17

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................18 - 28

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

     and Results of Operations...........................................29 - 33

Results by Quarter (Unaudited)................................................33

Quarterly Share Prices, Dividends and Related Stockholder Matters.............33

Selected Financial Data.......................................................34

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     for the years ended April 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998........................35

Other  schedules are omitted  because of absence of conditions  under which they
apply  or  because  the  information  required  is  included  in  the  Notes  to
Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders
of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  statements of financial position
of John Wiley & Sons,  Inc. (a New York  corporation),  and  subsidiaries  as of
April 30, 2000 and 1999, and the related  consolidated  statements of income and
retained earnings, comprehensive  income and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended April 30, 2000.  These  financial  statements  and the
schedule referred to below are the  responsibility of the Company's  management.
Our  responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements and
the schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable  assurance about whether the financial  statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial  statements.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by  management,  as well as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement
presentation.  We believe  that our audits  provide a  reasonable  basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the financial  position of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and
subsidiaries as of April 30, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their  operations
and their cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended April 30,
2000 in conformity with accounting  principles  generally accepted in the United
States.

Our  audits  were  made for the  purpose  of  forming  an  opinion  on the basic
financial  statements  taken as a whole.  The  schedule  listed  in the Index to
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  Schedules is presented for purposes of
complying  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission's  rules and is not a
required  part  of the  basic  financial  statements.  This  schedule  has  been
subjected  to the  auditing  procedures  applied  in  our  audits  of the  basic
financial  statements  and, in our  opinion,  is fairly  stated in all  material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
June 8, 2000


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in this Form  10-K of our  report  dated  June 8,  2000  included  in
Registration Statement File Nos. 333-93691, 33-60268, 2-65296, 2-95104, 33-29372
and  33-62605.  It  should  be noted  that we have  not  audited  any  financial
statements  of the company  subsequent  to April 30, 2000 or performed any audit
procedures subsequent to the date of our report.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
June 28, 2000


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION


John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                                 April 30
                                                                                ------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                              2000             1999
                                                                                ========================
<S>                                                                             <C>                 <C>
Assets
Current Assets
         Cash and cash equivalents                                             $ 42,299        $148,970
         Accounts receivable                                                     68,080          53,785
         Inventories                                                             46,109          40,003
         Deferred income tax benefits                                            10,999           3,865
         Prepaid expenses                                                         9,624           9,347
                                                                                ------------------------
Total Current Assets                                                            177,111         255,970
                                                                                ------------------------
Product Development Assets                                                       39,809          38,099
Property and Equipment                                                           38,226          34,726
Intangible Assets                                                               297,085         174,911
Deferred Income Tax Benefits                                                      3,395          13,001
Other Assets                                                                     13,711          11,845
                                                                                ------------------------
Total Assets                                                                   $569,337        $528,552
                                                                                ------------------------
Liabilities and Sharelholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
         Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt                   $ 30,000        $      -
         Accounts and royalties payable                                          45,816          34,708
         Deferred subscription revenues                                         112,337         110,143
         Accrued income taxes                                                     6,102           3,356
         Other accrued liabilities                                               59,795          46,893
                                                                                ------------------------
         Total Current Liabilities                                              254,050         195,100
                                                                                ------------------------
Long-Term Debt                                                                   95,000         125,000
Other Long-Term Liabilities                                                      32,109          30,271
Deferred Income Taxes                                                            15,440          15,969
Shareholders' Equity
         Common stock issued
         Class A ( 67,891,602 and 67,548,260 shares)                             67,892          67,548
         Class B ( 15,298,660 and 15,641,752 shares)                             15,299          15,642
         Additional paid-in capital                                              14,178          13,045
         Retained earnings                                                      198,539         154,759
         Accumulated other comprehensive income                                  (3,642)           (526)
         Unearned deferred compensation                                          (1,703)         (3,114)
                                                                                ------------------------
                                                                                290,563         247,354
Less Treasury shares at cost (Class A - 18,994,081 and 17,323,920;
         Class B - 3,484,096 and 3,484,096)                                    (117,825)        (85,142)
                                                                                ------------------------
Total Shareholders' Equity                                                      172,738         162,212
                                                                                ------------------------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                     $569,337        $528,552
                                                                                ========================


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                    AND RETAINED EARNINGS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                               For the years ended April 30
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands except per share data                                       2000           1999               1998
                                                                                ===========================================
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>                <C>

Revenues                                                                       $594,815        $508,435          $467,081

Costs and Expenses
         Cost of sales                                                          194,939         173,983           164,169
         Operating and administrative expenses                                  294,425         261,353           253,284
         Amoritization of intangibles                                            16,447           9,445             8,764
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
         Total Costs and Expenses                                               505,811         444,781           426,217
                                                                                -------------------------------------------

Gain on Sale of Publishing Assets                                                     -              -             21,292
                                                                                -------------------------------------------

Operating Income                                                                 89,004          63,654            62,156

Interest Income and Other                                                         2,017           5,713             3,863
Interest Expense                                                                 (8,390)         (7,322)           (7,933)
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Interest Income (Expense) -Net                                                   (6,373)         (1,609)           (4,070)
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Income Before Taxes
                                                                                 82,631          62,045             58,086
Provision for Income Taxes
                                                                                 30,243          22,336             21,498
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Net Income
                                                                                 52,388          39,709            36,588
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Retained Earnings at Beginning of Year                                          154,759         122,906            93,337

Cash Dividends
         Class A Common ($.1425, $.1275 and $.1125 per share)
                                                                                 (7,075)         (6,479)           (5,766)
         Class B Common ($.1275, $.1125 and $.1000 per share)
                                                                                 (1,533)         (1,377)           (1,253)
         Total Dividends                                                        -------------------------------------------
                                                                                 (8,608)         (7,856)           (7,019)
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Retained Earnings at End of Year                                               $198,539        $154,759 $         122,906
                                                                                ===========================================

Income Per Share
         Diluted                                                               $   0.81        $   0.60          $   0.55
         Basic                                                                 $   0.85        $   0.63          $   0.58


                            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                                For the years ended April 30
Dollars in thousands                                                               2000          1999             1998
                                                                                -------------------------------------------

Net Income                                                                     $ 52,388        $ 39,709          $ 36,588
Other Comprehensive Income
         Foreign currency translation adjustments                                (3,116)             14              (646)
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income                                                           $ 49,272        $ 39,723          $ 35,942
                                                                                ===========================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                                 For the years ended April 30
                                                                                -------------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands                                                                  2000           1999            1998
                                                                                ===========================================
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>             <C>

Operating Activities
Net Income                                                                     $ 52,388        $ 39,709          $ 36,588
Noncash Items
         Amortization of intangibles                                             16,447           9,445             8,764
         Amortization of composition costs                                       24,900          21,322            20,213
         Depreciation of property and equipment                                  11,822           9,788             9,188
         Reserves for returns, doubtful accounts, and obsolescence               11,211           5,406            10,181
         Deferred income taxes                                                    1,795          (1,056)            9,234
         Gain on sale of publishing assets                                            -               -           (21,292)
         Other                                                                   12,675          10,822            15,483
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
         Decrease (increase) in receivables                                     (21,611)          1,151            (2,872)
         Decrease (increase) in inventorie                                       (1,149)          3,032             4,426
         Increase (decrease) in accounts and royalties payable                    6,134          (1,917)            6,000
         Increase in deferred subscription revenues                               3,602          10,413             5,983
         Increase in other accrued liabilities                                   12,100           8,037             8,211
         Net change in other operating assets and liabilities                     1,525           1,746            (6,049)
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
         Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                  131,839         117,898           104,058
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
Investing Activities
         Additions to product development assets                                (33,153)        (31,998)          (30,220)
         Additions to property and equipment                                    (15,804)        (10,631)          (11,935)
         Proceeds from sale of publishing assets                                      -               -            26,500
         Acquisitions of publishing assets                                     (145,111)        (10,429)          (30,491)
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
         Cash Used for Investing Activities                                    (194,068)        (53,058)          (46,146)
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
Financing Activities
         Purchase of treasury shares                                            (35,317)        (38,549)           (4,281)
         Net repayments of short-term debt                                             -              -              (156)
         Cash dividends                                                          (8,608)         (7,856)           (7,019)
         Proceeds from issuance of stock on option exercises and other            3,891           5,159             2,288
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
         Cash Used for Financing Activities                                     (40,034)        (41,246)           (9,168)
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
         Effects of exchange rate changes on cash                                (4,408)         (2,029)             (455)
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents
         Increase (decrease) for year                                          (106,671)         21,565            48,289
         Balance at beginning of year                                           148,970         127,405            79,116
                                                                                -----------------------------------------
         Balance at end of year                                                $ 42,299        $148,970          $127,405
                                                                                =========================================

Cash Paid During the Year for
         Interest                                                              $  8,556        $  7,886          $  8,042
         Income taxes                                                          $ 21,122        $ 17,201          $ 12,409

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its  majority-owned  subsidiaries  (the
"Company").  All significant  intercompany  accounts and transactions  have been
eliminated in  consolidation.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified
to conform to the current year's presentation.

Use of Estimates:  The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and reported  amounts of revenues and expenses  during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue  Recognition:  Revenues  are  principally  recognized  upon  shipment of
products.  Subscription  revenues are  generally  collected in advance,  and are
deferred  and  recognized  as earned when the  related  issue is shipped or made
available on-line to the subscriber.

Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts: The Company provides an estimated allowance
for doubtful  accounts and for future returns on sales made during the year. The
allowance for doubtful accounts and returns  (estimated returns net of inventory
and royalty costs) is shown as a reduction of  receivables  in the  accompanying
consolidated balance sheets and amounted to $53.4 and $41.8 million at April 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.

Inventories:  Inventories  are  stated at cost or  market,  whichever  is lower.
Domestic book inventories  aggregating $35.4 and $27.4 million at April 30, 2000
and 1999, respectively,  are valued using the last-in,  first-out (LIFO) method.
All other inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out method.

Depreciation and Amortization:  Buildings,  leasehold improvements,  and capital
leases are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets
up to 40 years, or the duration of the various leases,  using the  straight-line
method.  Furniture and equipment is depreciated principally on the straight-line
method over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. Composition costs
representing  the costs  incurred to bring an edited  manuscript to  publication
including  typesetting,   proofreading,   design  and  illustration,  etc.,  are
capitalized and amortized over estimated useful lives  representative of product
revenue patterns,  generally three years.  Capitalized  internal-use software is
amortized on a straight-line  basis over its estimated useful life,  generally 3
years.

Intangible  Assets:  Intangible assets consist of acquired  publication  rights,
which are principally  amortized on a  straight-line  basis over periods ranging
from 3 to 30 years; noncompete agreements,  which are amortized over the term of
such agreements;  and goodwill and other  intangibles,  which are amortized on a
straight-line  basis  over  periods  ranging  from 5 to 40  years.  If facts and
circumstances  indicate that long-lived  assets and/or  intangible assets may be
permanently  impaired,  it is the Company's  policy to assess the carrying value
and  recoverability  of such assets based on an analysis of undiscounted  future
cash flows of the related operations.  Any resulting reduction in carrying value
based on the estimated  fair value would be charged to operating  results.  As a
result of this review, approximately $3.6 million of intangibles was written-off
and charged  against  operating  income in fiscal year 2000, and $3.3 million in
fiscal year 1998.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Foreign Exchange Contracts: The Company, from
time to time,  enters into forward  exchange  contracts  as a hedge  against its
overseas  subsidiaries'  foreign  currency  asset,  liability,   commitment  and
anticipated  transaction  exposures.  To  qualify  as  a  hedge,  the  financial
instrument must be designated as a hedge against  identified  items which have a
high  correlation  with  the  financial  instrument.  The  Company  does not use
financial  instruments  for  trading  or  speculative  purposes.   Realized  and
unrealized gains and losses are deferred and taken into income over the lives of
the hedged  items if  permitted by  generally  accepted  accounting  principles;
otherwise,  the  contracts  are  marked  to market  with any  gains  and  losses
reflected in operating  expenses.  There were no open foreign exchange contracts
and no


<PAGE>

gains or losses  were  deferred  at April 30,  2000 or 1999.  Included in
operating and  administrative  expenses were net foreign exchange gains (losses)
of  approximately  $.1,  $(.1)  and  $(.1)  million  in 2000,  1999,  and  1998,
respectively.

Stock-Based  Compensation:   Stock  options  and  restricted  stock  grants  are
accounted for in accordance  with  Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and the disclosure-only provisions of
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No. 123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based Compensation".  Accordingly,  the Company recognizes no compensation
expense for fixed stock option  grants since the exercise  price is equal to the
fair  value  of the  shares  at date of  grant.  For  restricted  stock  grants,
compensation cost is generally  recognized ratably over the vesting period based
on the fair value of shares.

Cash   Equivalents:   Cash  equivalents   consist  primarily  of  highly  liquid
investments  with a maturity of three months or less and are stated at cost plus
accrued interest, which approximates market value.

New Accounting Standards:  In fiscal year 2000, the Company adopted Statement of
Position (SOP) 98-1,  "Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use" issued by the American  Institute of Certified Public
Accountants.  SOP 98-1  requires  that certain  costs  incurred in developing or
obtaining  internal use software be  capitalized  and amortized  over the useful
life of the software.  Previously,  the Company  expensed most of these costs as
incurred.  The adoption of SOP 98-1 had the effect of  increasing  net income in
fiscal year 2000 by approximately $1.5 million.

The Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133  "Accounting for
Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities",  which specifies the accounting
and  disclosure  requirements  for such  instruments,  and is effective  for the
Company's  fiscal year  beginning  on May 1, 2001.  It is  anticipated  that the
adoption of this new accounting  standard will not have a material effect on the
consolidated financial statements of the Company.

In December  1999, the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (SEC) issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. (SAB) 101. SAB 101 summarizes certain areas of the SEC's
views  in  applying   generally  accepted   accounting   principals  to  revenue
recognition  in  financial  statements.  The Company  believes  that its current
revenue recognition policies comply with SAB 101.

Income Per Share
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

A  reconciliation  of the shares used in the computation of net income per share
for the years ended April 30, follows:

In thousands                     2000       1999        1998
----------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>

Weighted average shares
   outstanding                   62,229      63,738     63,876
Less:  Unearned deferred
compensation shares
                                   (505)       (781)      (782)
----------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Shares used for basic
income per share
                                 61,724      62,957     63,094
Dilutive effect of stock
options and other stock
awards                            3,101       3,556      2,858
----------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Shares used for diluted
income per share
                                 64,825      66,513     65,952
----------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>

Acquisitions

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2000,  the Company  acquired  certain higher
education  titles for  approximately  $57 million in cash, and  Jossey-Bass  for
approximately $81 million in cash, from Pearson Inc. The higher education titles
include  such  disciplines  as  biology/anatomy  and  physiology,   engineering,
mathematics,  economics,  finance and teacher education.  Jossey-Bass  publishes
books and journals for  professionals  and executives in such areas as business,
psychology and educational/health management. The Company also acquired the J.K.
Lasser tax and financial  guides for  approximately $5 million in cash and other
smaller  acquisitions  for  approximately  $2  million.  The  acquisitions  were
financed by available cash balances and short-term lines of credit.  The cost of
the acquisitions has been allocated on the basis of preliminary estimates of the
fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.  Final asset and
liability fair values may differ based on appraisals and tax bases,  however, it
is  anticipated  that  any  changes  will  not have a  material  effect,  in the
aggregate,  on the consolidated financial position of the Company. The excess of
cost over the  preliminary  estimate  of the fair value of the  tangible  assets
<PAGE>

acquired amounted to approximately $143 million,  relating primarily to acquired
publication rights, goodwill and noncompete agreements which are being amortized
on a  straight-line  basis over  estimated  average  lives  ranging from 3 to 20
years.

In  fiscal  1999,  the  Company  acquired  various  publishing   properties  for
approximately  $10.4  million in cash  including the Huthig  Publishing  Group's
scientific book and journals program;  the German Materials Science Society book
program;  Chronimed's  publishing  program  in such  areas  as  general  health,
cooking, nutrition, diabetes and other chronic illnesses; Hewin International, a
publisher  of  technological-commercial  reports in the areas of  agrochemicals,
biochemistry,  oleochemicals,  and  petrochemicals;  and the remaining shares of
Verlag  Helvetica  Chemica Acta, a scientific  publisher of chemistry  books and
journals. The excess of cost over the fair value of the tangible assets acquired
amounted  to  approximately  $11.4  million,   relating  primarily  to  acquired
publishing rights that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods
ranging from 5 to 30 years.

In fiscal  1998,  the Company  acquired  the  publishing  assets of Van Nostrand
Reinhold  (VNR) for  approximately  $28 million in cash.  VNR  publishes in such
areas as architecture / design,  environmental / industrial  sciences,  culinary
arts / hospitality,  and business  technology.  The excess of cost over the fair
value of the tangible assets  acquired  amounted to  approximately  $23 million,
relating primarily to acquired  publication rights that are being amortized on a
straight-line  basis over an estimated  average  life of 15 years.  In addition,
during the year, the Company acquired various  newsletters,  books, and journals
for  purchase  prices  aggregating  approximately  $2 million,  which  primarily
relates to acquired  publication  rights that are being  amortized  over periods
ranging from 15 to 30 years.

All acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method, and the
accompanying financial statements  include their results of operations
since their respective dates of acquisition.

Divested Operations

In fiscal 1998, the Company sold its domestic law  publishing  program for $26.5
million, resulting in a gain of $21.3 million.  Offsetting this gain are special
asset  write-downs  and other items  amounting to  approximately  $4.4  million,
including  write-downs of intangible assets of approximately  $3.3 million.  The
net effect of these unusual items amounted to a pretax gain of $16.9 million, or
$9.7 million  after taxes,  equal to $.14 per diluted  share,  or $.15 per basic
share.

Inventories
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Inventories at April 30 were as follows:
Dollars in thousands              2000             1999
<S>                                <C>              <C>
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Finished Goods                  $40,370          $ 34,485
Work-in-Process                   3,537             5,325
Paper, Cloth, and Other           5,241             2,007
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
                                 49,148            41,817
LIFO Reserve                     (3,039)           (1,814)
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Total                           $46,109          $ 40,003
--------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

Product Development Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Product development assets consisted of the following at April 30:
Dollars in thousands                  2000          1999
<S>                                   <C>            <C>
---------------------------------- ------------ -------------
Composition Costs                    $26,753      $27,110
Royalty Advances                      13,056       10,989
---------------------------------- ------------ -------------
Total                                $39,809      $38,099
---------------------------------- ------------ -------------
</TABLE>

Composition  costs are net of  accumulated  amortization  of $48,045 in 2000 and
$44,107 in 1999.

Property and Equipment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30:
Dollars in thousands                 2000            1999
-------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
<S>                                   <C>              <C>
Land and Land Improvements         $  1,542       $  1,542
Buildings and Leasehold
Improvements                         19,763         19,891
Furniture and Equipment              81,910         72,481
Internal-use Software                 2,813              -
-------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
                                    106,028         93,914
Accumulated Depreciation            (67,802)       (59,188)
-------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
Total                              $ 38,226       $ 34,726
-------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consisted of the following at April 30:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Dollars in thousands                 2000          1999
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
Acquired Publication Rights        $245,219      $164,705
Goodwill and Other Intangibles      112,053        51,870
Non-compete Agreements                2,016         1,516
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
                                    359,288       218,091
Accumulated Amortization            (62,203)      (43,180)
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total                              $297,085      $174,911
-------------------------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>

Other Accrued Liabilities

Included in other accrued liabilities was accrued  compensation of approximately
$28.3 million and $21.3 million for 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Dollars in thousands           2000        1999       1998
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>                             <C>        <C>         <C>
Currently Payable
   Federal                   $ 19,501   $ 16,419      $6,781
   Foreign                      6,181      4,663       4,332
   State and local              2,618      2,249       1,166
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
   Total Current Provision     28,300     23,331      12,279
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Deferred Provision (Benefit)
   Federal                    (4,353)    (4,060)       6,211
   Foreign                     4,561      1,922        1,629
   State and local             1,735      1,143        1,379
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
   Total Deferred Provision    1,943       (995)       9,219
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
   Total Provision          $ 30,243    $ 22,336     $21,498
---------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------
</TABLE>

The Company's  effective  income tax rate as a percent of pretax income differed
from the U.S. federal statutory rate as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       2000     1999     1998
------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>
U.S. Federal Statutory Rate             35.0%    35.0%    35.0%
State and Local Income Taxes
   Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit     3.9      3.6      2.8
Tax Benefit Derived From FSC Income     (3.6)    (2.5)    (2.7)
Foreign Source Earnings Taxed at
   Other Than U.S. Statutory Rate        -         .1       .6
Nondeductible Amortization of            2.0       .6       .7
   Intangibles
Other-Net                                (.7)     (.8)      .6
------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
Effective Income Tax Rate               36.6%    36.0%    37.0%
------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------
</TABLE>

Deferred taxes result from timing  differences in the recognition of revenue and
expense  for  tax  and  financial  reporting  purposes.  The  components  of the
provision for deferred taxes were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands                 2000     1999      1998
---------------------------------- --------- -------- ---------
<S>                                   <C>       <C>      <C>
Depreciation and Amortization       $  177   $(2,356) $(2,898)
Accrued Expenses                    (1,147)    2,500     (275)
Provision for Sales Returns and
Doubtful Accounts                   (6,573)   (3,414)   5,699
Inventory                             (561)        5    1,331
Retirement Benefits                    752    (1,454)     (23)
Long-Term Liabilities                   67    (1,175)   2,541
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit and
Other Carryforwards                    492       288      236
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards    17,205     4,500    1,631
Valuation Allowance                 (7,079)      245      826
Other-Net                           (1,390)     (134)     151
---------------------------------- --------- -------- ---------
Total Deferred Provision (Benefit)  $1,943     $(995)  $9,219
---------------------------------- --------- -------- ---------
</TABLE>
The  significant  components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at April 30,
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  2000              1999
                             ----------------- ------------------

Dollars in thousands          Current Long-Term Current  Long-Term
---------------------------- -------- --------  --------  --------
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Deferred Tax Assets
Net Operating Loss
  Carryforwards                $    -  $ 4,426   $   -   $21,631
Reserve for Sales Returns
  and Doubtful Accounts         12,181       -     5,608     -
Costs Capitalized for Taxes         -   3,798         -    2,900
Retirement and Post-
  Employment Benefits               -   4,172         -    4,924
Amortization of Intangibles         -   4,018         -    4,018
---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total Deferred Tax Assets      12,181  16,414     5,608   33,473
Less: Valuation Allowance           -  (5,719)        -  (12,798)
---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net Deferred Tax Assets        12,181  10,695     5,608   20,675
---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Inventory                      (1,182)      -    (1,743)       -
Depreciation and Amortization       -  (3,631)        -   (3,454)
Accrued Expenses                    -  (8,355)        -   (9,502)
Long-Term Liabilities               - (10,754)        -  (10,687)
---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total Deferred Tax             (1,182)(22,740)   (1,743) (23,643)
  Liabilities
---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net Deferred Tax Assets
  (Liability)                  $10,999 $(12,045) $3,865  $(2,968)
 ---------------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
</TABLE>
Approximately  $5.0 million of the valuation  allowance  relates to net deferred
tax assets recorded in connection with the VCH acquisition. Any amounts realized
in  future  years  will  reduce  the  intangible  assets  recorded  at  date  of
acquisition.

Current  taxes  payable  for 2000 and 1999  have been  reduced  by $5.0 and $4.6
million,  respectively,  relating  to  the  utilization  of net  operating  loss
<PAGE>

carryforwards. At April 30, 2000, the Company had aggregate unused net operating
loss  carryforwards  of approximately  $13.1 million,  which may be available to
reduce  future  taxable  income  primarily  in  foreign  tax  jurisdictions  and
generally have no expiration date.

In general,  the Company plans to continue to invest the undistributed  earnings
of its foreign  subsidiaries in those businesses,  and therefore no provision is
made for taxes that would be payable if such earnings were distributed. At April
30, 2000, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries  approximated $31.3
million  and,  if  remitted   currently,   would  result  in  additional   taxes
approximating $6.2 million.

Notes Payable and Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following at April 30:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands                 2000         1999
-------------------------------- ------------- -----------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>
Term Loan Notes Payable Due
   October 2000 Through 2003     $125,000      $125,000

Less current portion of
   long-term debt                  (30,000)           --
                                 ----------    ----------

                                 $ 95,000        $ 125,000
</TABLE>

The weighted  average  interest rate on the term loan was 5.89% and 5.85% during
2000 and 1999,  respectively;  and  6.44% and 5.25% at April 30,  2000 and 1999,
respectively.

The Company has a $175 million  credit  agreement  expiring on October 31, 2003,
with eight banks. The credit  agreement  consists of a term loan of $125 million
and a $50  million  revolving  credit  facility.  The  Company has the option of
borrowing at the following  floating  interest rates:  (i) Eurodollars at a rate
based on the London  Interbank  Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an  applicable  margin
ranging from .15% to .30% depending on certain coverage ratios,  or (ii) dollars
at a rate based on the current  certificate of deposit rate,  plus an applicable
margin  ranging from .275% to .425%  depending on certain  coverage  ratios,  or
(iii)  dollars at the higher of (a) the Federal  Funds Rate plus .5% and (b) the
banks'  prime rate.  In  addition,  the Company pays a facility fee ranging from
 .10% to .20 % on the total facility depending on certain coverage ratios.

In the event of a change of control,  as  defined,  the banks have the option to
terminate  the  agreement  and require  repayment  of any  amounts  outstanding.
Amounts outstanding under the term loan have mandatory repayments as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands     2001     2002      2003     2004
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
<S>                        <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>

                        $30,000  $30,000  $30,000   $35,000
</TABLE>

The credit agreement contains certain  restrictive  covenants related to minimum
net worth,  funded debt  levels,  an interest  coverage  ratio,  and  restricted
payments,  including  a  cumulative  limitation  for  dividends  paid and  share
repurchases. Under the most restrictive covenant,  approximately $58 million was
available for such restricted payments as of April 30, 2000.

The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  have  other  short-term  lines  of  credit
aggregating $80 million at various interest rates.  Information  relating to all
short-term lines of credit follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands               2000       1999      1998
-------------------------------- ---------- --------- ----------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
End of Year
  Amount outstanding             $    --    $    --   $     --
  Weighted average interest rate      --         --         --
During the Year
  Maximum amount outstanding     $40,749    $    --   $ 28,794
  Average amount outstanding     $15,654    $    --   $    742
  Weighted average interest        5.6%          --       8.5%
  rate
-------------------------------- ---------- --------- ----------
</TABLE>

Based on  estimates  of interest  rates  currently  available to the Company for
loans with similar  terms and  maturities,  the fair value of notes  payable and
long-term debt approximates the carrying value.


Commitments and Contingencies

The  following  schedule  shows the  composition  of rent expense for  operating
leases:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands               2000       1999        1998
------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Minimum Rental                  $ 14,614    $ 13,935   $ 13,137
Lease Escalation                   2,352       2,248      2,250
Less: Sublease Rentals                --         (60)       (50)
------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total                           $ 16,966   $ 16,123     $ 15,337
------------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

Future minimum payments under operating leases aggregated $61.0 million at April
30, 2000. Annual payments under these leases are $17.9,  $17.3,  $15.2, $1.9 and
$1.8 million for fiscal years 2001 through 2005,  respectively.  The Company has
entered  into an  agreement  to  purchase an office  building  in the U.K.  upon
completion of construction in calendar year 2002 for approximately $15 million.

The Company is  involved in routine  litigation  in the  ordinary  course of its
business.  In the opinion of management,  the ultimate resolution of all pending
litigation  will not have a material  effect  upon the  financial  condition  or
results of operations of the Company.


Retirement Plans

The Company and its principal subsidiaries have contributory and noncontributory
retirement  plans that cover  substantially  all employees.  The plans generally
provide for employee  retirement between the ages of 60 to 65 and benefits based
on length of service and final average compensation, as defined.

The Company has agreements with certain officers and senior management personnel
that provide for the payment of supplemental  retirement benefits during each of
the 10 years after the termination of employment.  Under certain  circumstances,
including a change of control as defined,  the payment of such amounts  could be
accelerated on a present value basis.

The Company provides life insurance and health care benefits, subject to certain
dollar limitations and retiree

contributions, for substantially all of its retired domestic employees. The cost
of such benefits is expensed over the years that the  employees  render  service
and is funded on a  pay-as-you-go,  cash basis.  The accumulated  postretirement
benefit obligation amounted to $.4 million and $.3 million at April 30, 2000 and
1999,  respectively,  and the amount expensed in fiscal 2000 and prior years was
not material.

The  components  of net pension  expense for the defined  benefit  plans were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars in thousands                 2000      1999      1998
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>       <C>
Service Cost                        $5,535    $4,960    $3,913
Interest Cost                        7,034     6,498     5,883
Expected Return on Plan Assets      (7,321)   (6,684)   (5,460)
Net Amortization of Prior
   Service Cost                        470       356       355
Net Amortization of Unrecognized
   Transition Asset                   (843)     (850)     (852)
Recognized Net Actuarial Gain         (166)     (157)      (59)
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Pension Expense                 $4,709    $4,123     $3,780
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
</TABLE>

In fiscal  1999,  the domestic  plan was amended to provide  that final  average
compensation be based on the highest three  consecutive years ended December 31,
1995.  The Company may,  but is not  required  to,  update from time to time the
ending  date  for  the  three-year   period  used  to  determine  final  average
compensation.  The amendment had the effect of  increasing  pension  expense for
fiscal 1999 by $.2  million.  The net  pension  expense  included  above for the
international  plans amounted to  approximately  $2.9, $2.6 and $2.1 million for
2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.

<PAGE>

The  following  table  sets  forth the  changes  in and the status of the plans'
assets  and  benefit  obligations.  The  unfunded  plans  primarily  relate to a
non-U.S. subsidiary, which is governed by local statutory requirements,  and the
domestic   supplemental   retirement  plans  for  certain  officers  and  senior
management personnel.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   2000                               1999
                                                    ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
                                                     Assets Exceed     Accumulated      Assets Exceed      Accumulated
                                                      Accumulated    Benefits Exceed     Accumulated        Benefits
     Dollars in thousands                              Benefits           Assets           Benefits       Exceed Assets
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------
     <S>                                                  <C>               <C>              <C>                <C>
     Plan Assets

     Fair Value, beginning of year                   $    92,389      $         -       $    84,262       $         -

     Actual Return on Plan Assets                          2,793                -             9,780                 -

     Employer Contributions                                2,224              832             1,866               963

     Participants' Contributions                               -                -               227                 -

     Benefits Paid                                        (2,637)            (832)           (2,621)             (963)

     Foreign Currency Rate Changes                          (990)               -            (1,125)                -
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Fair Value, end of year                         $    93,779      $         -       $    92,389       $         -
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Benefit Obligation

     Balance, beginning of year                      $   (74,953)     $   (23,342)      $   (63,429)      $   (20,506)

     Service Cost                                         (4,637)            (897)           (4,122)             (838)

     Interest Cost                                        (5,501)          (1,533)           (5,057)           (1,441)

     Amendments                                                -              (81)           (1,748)                -

     Actuarial Gain                                       (1,241)             (39)           (4,133)           (1,902)

     Benefits paid                                         2,637              832             2,621               963

     Foreign Currency Rate Changes                           938            1,467               915               382
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Balance, end of year                            $   (82,757) $       (23,593)      $   (74,953)      $   (23,342)
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Funded Status - Excess (Deficit)                     11,022          (23,593)           17,436           (23,342)

     Unrecognized Net Transition Asset                    (1,165)               -            (1,928)                -

     Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss (Gain)              (10,789)           2,944           (16,800)            2,630

     Unrecognized Prior Service Cost                       3,433              421             3,830             1,085
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Net Prepaid (Accrued) Pension Cost              $     2,501      $   (20,228)      $     2,538       $   (19,627)
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------
     The  weighted average  assumption used in determining these amounts were as follows:
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------

     Discount Rate                                         7.2%             6.8%              7.2%              6.8%
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------
     Expected Return On Plan Assets                        8.0%                -              8.0%                 -
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------
     Rate of Compensation Increase                         2.4%             5.0%              2.3%              4.8%
     ---------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

Stock Compensation Plans

Under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan,  qualified  employees are eligible
to receive awards that may include stock options,  performance stock awards, and
restricted  stock  awards up to a maximum per year of 600,000  shares of Class A
stock and subject to an overall  maximum of  8,000,000  shares  through June 22,
2009. As of April 30, 2000,  approximately  7,930,400  shares were available for
future grants.

Options  granted  under the plan may not be less  than  100% of the fair  market
value of the stock at the date of grant. Options are exercisable,  in part or in
full,  over a maximum  period of 10 years from the date of grant,  and generally
vest within five years from the date of the grant.  Under certain  circumstances
<PAGE>

relating to a change of  control,  as  defined,  the right to  exercise  options
outstanding could be accelerated.

The  Company  elected  to  apply  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of No.  123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."  Accordingly, no compensation cost is
recognized for fixed stock option grants. Had compensation cost been recognized,
net income would have been reduced on a pro forma basis by $1.7 million, or $.03
per diluted share,  in 2000;  $1.1 million,  or $.02 per diluted share, in 1999;
and $.6  million,  or  $.01  per  diluted  share,  in  1998.  For the pro  forma
calculations,  the fair value of each option grant was  estimated on the date of
grant  using  the   Black-Scholes   option-pricing   model  with  the  following
assumptions for 2000, 1999, and 1998: risk-free interest rate of 6.3%, 5.6%, and
6.5%,  respectively;  dividend  yield of 1.0%,  1.2%,  and  1.3%,  respectively;
volatility of 25.7% 23.2%,  and 18.1%,  respectively;  and expected life of nine
years for all years.

A summary  of the  activity  and  status of the  Company's  stock  option  plans
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   2000                        1999                        1998
                                        ---------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
                                                          Weighted                    Weighted                    Weighted
                                                          Average                     Average                     Average
                                           Options     Exercise Price  Options     Exercise Price  Options     Exercise Price
     ---------------------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                        <C>               <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
     Outstanding at beginning of year    4,820,884        $ 7.04      4,207,636        $5.18      4,167,756        $4.47

     Granted                               517,800        $20.47        958,636       $13.88        598,712        $8.63

     Exercised                            (476,591)       $ 2.74       (345,388)       $3.26       (550,332)       $3.53

     Canceled                              (24,400)                           -            -         (8,500)       $6.47
                                                          $12.28
     ---------------------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

     Outstanding at end of year          4,837,693        $ 8.88      4,820,884        $7.04      4,207,636        $5.18
     ---------------------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

     Exercisable at end of year          2,245,837        $ 4.66      2,578,964        $4.05      2,162,272        $3.38
     ---------------------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

</TABLE>

The weighted  average fair value of options  granted  during the year was $8.69,
$5.25 and $3.17 in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

A summary of information about stock options outstanding and options exercisable
at April 30, 2000, follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable
                                       Weight-ed
                             Weighted  Average             Weighted
                     Number  Average   Exercise   Number   Average
    Range of           Of    Remaining   Price      Of     Exercise
 Exercise Prices    Options     Term              Options    Price
------------------ --------- --------- -------- ---------- ---------
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>

$ 1.97 to $ 3.06   1,023,303 2.1 years  $2.58    1,023,303   $2.58
$ 5.17 to $ 8.63   2,351,204 5.6 years  $7.08    1,191,134   $6.21
$13.89 to $14.59    953,386  8.1 years $13.88       31,400  $13.75
$17.25 to $20.56    509,800  9.2 years $20.49         -        -
------------------ --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
Total              4,837,693 5.7 years  $8.88    2,245,837  $ 4.66
------------------ --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
</TABLE>

Under the terms of the Company's  executive  long-term incentive plans, upon the
achievement of certain three-year financial  performance-based  targets,  awards
will be payable in restricted  shares of the Company's Class A Common stock. The
restricted  shares  vest  equally as to 50% on the first and second  anniversary
date  after the date the award is  earned.  Compensation  expense  is charged to
earnings over the respective three-year period. In addition, the Company granted
restricted  shares  of the  Company's  Class A  Common  stock  to key  executive
officers and others in connection with their  employment.  The restricted shares
generally  vest  one-third  at the end of the third,  fourth,  and fifth  years,
respectively,  following  the date of the  grant.  Under  certain  circumstances
relating to a change of control or  termination,  as defined,  the  restrictions
would lapse and shares would vest  earlier.  Compensation  expense is charged to
earnings ratably over five years, or sooner if vesting is accelerated,  from the
dates of grant.  Restricted  shares  issued in  connection  with the above plans
amounted to 91,600,  114,400 and 153,948 shares at  weighted-average  grant-date
fair values of $19.53,  $14.55  and,  $8.40 per share in 2000,  1999,  and 1998,
respectively. Compensation expense charged to earnings for the above amounted to
$2.6, $3.0 million, and $2.6 million in 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.
<PAGE>

Under the terms of the Company's  Director Stock Plan,  each member of the Board
of  Directors  who is not an employee  of the Company is awarded  Class A Common
stock equal to 50% of the board member's annual cash compensation,  based on the
market value of the stock on the date of the  shareholders'  meeting.  Directors
may also elect to receive all or a portion of their cash  compensation in stock.
Under this plan 14,936,  15,844 and 28,196 shares were issued in 2000, 1999, and
1998,  respectively.  Compensation  expense  related  to this plan  amounted  to
approximately $.4 million, $.5 million, and $.3 million in 2000, 1999, and 1998,
respectively.

Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts

Preferred  stock consists of 2,000,000  authorized  shares with $1 par value. To
date, no preferred shares have been issued. Common stock consists of 180,000,000
authorized  shares of Class A Common,  $1 par value,  and 72,000,000  authorized
shares of Class B Common, $1 par value.

Each share of the Company's  Class B Common stock is convertible  into one share
of Class A Common stock.  The holders of Class A stock are entitled to elect 30%
of the entire Board of  Directors  and the holders of Class B stock are entitled
to elect the  remainder.  On all other  matters,  each share of Class A stock is
entitled to one-tenth of one vote and each share of Class B stock is entitled to
one vote.

Under the Company's current stock repurchase  program, up to 4 million shares of
its Class A common stock may be  purchased  from time to time in the open market
and through  privately  negotiated  transactions.  Through  April 30, 2000,  the
Company  repurchased  2,296,400 shares for a cost of approximately $37.5 million
under the program.

Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income balances  consist solely of cumulative
foreign currency translation adjustments.

Changes in selected capital accounts were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Common Stock
                                                       ----------------------------------    Additional         Treasury
     Dollars in thousands                                   Class A           Class B      Paid-in Capital       Stock
     ------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
     <S>                                                      <C>                <C>            <C>                <C>

     Balance at May 1, 1997                                $66,276           $16,148               --          $(43,630)
     Director Stock Plan Issuance                               --                --              217                67
     Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan Issuance                --                --              192                73
     Purchase of Treasury Shares                                --                --               --            (4,281)
     Restricted Share Issuance                                  --                --            1,862               270
     Issuance of Shares Under Employee Savings Plan             --                --              316               101
     Exercise of Stock Options                                 551                --            3,037               (99)
     Other                                                     279              (279)              --                --
     ------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
     Balance at May 1, 1998                                $67,106            $15,869          $5,624          $(47,499)
     Director Stock Plan Issuance                                -                 -              207                46
     Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan Issuance                 -                 -              233                52
     Purchase of Treasury Shares                                 -                 -                -           (38,549)
     Restricted Share Issuance                                   -                 -            2,754               349
     Issuance of Shares Under Employee Savings Plan              -                 -              461                86
     Exercise of Stock Options                                 215                 -            3,766               373
     Other                                                     227              (227)               -                 -
     ------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
     Balance at May 1, 1999                                $67,548            $15,642         $13,045          $(85,142)
     Director Stock Plan Issuance                                -                 -              192                68
     Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan Issuance                 -                 -             (188)               (6)
     Purchase of Treasury Shares                                 -                 -                -           (35,317)
     Restricted Share Issuance                                   -                 -              (48)              120
     Issuance of Shares Under Employee Savings Plan              -                 -              368               139
     Exercise of Stock Options                                   -                 -              809             2,314
     Other                                                     344              (343)               -                (1)
     ------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
     Balance at April 30, 2000                             $67,892           $15,299          $14,178          $(117,825)
     ------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Segment Information


The Company is a global publisher of print and electronic products, specializing
in  scientific,  technical  and medical  journals  and books;  professional  and
consumer  books  and  subscription   services;  and  textbooks  and  educational
materials for undergraduate and graduate students as well as lifelong  learners.
The Company has  publishing,  marketing and  distribution  centers in the United
States,  Canada,  Europe, Asia and Australia.  The Company's reportable segments
are based on the management  reporting  structure used to evaluate  performance.
Segment information was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Dollars In thousands                                                        2000
----------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Eliminations
                                                                                  European    Other        & Corporate
                                          Domestic Segments                       Segment      Segments       Items         Total
                        ------------------------------------------------------    ---------   ----------   -----------   -----------

                        Scientific,
                         Technical,    Professional/                   Total
                        and Medical        Trade        College      Domestic
                        -----------    -----------    ----------    ----------
  <S>                      <C>              <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>

Revenues
- External Customers     $138,017       $144,009       $109,356      $391,382      $136,668     $66,765     $       -     $594,815

- Intersegment Sales        7,115         16,065         18,366        41,546        10,869         743      (53,158)            -

                        -----------    -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   -----------
 Total  Revenues         $145,132       $160,074       $127,722      $432,928      $147,537     $67,508     ($53,158)     $594,815

                        -----------    -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   -----------
Direct Contribution
   To Profit              $63,458        $35,168        $36,186      $134,812       $47,062     $11,967            -      $193,841
                        -----------    -----------    ----------   -----------   ----------    ---------   ----------   ------------
Shared Services &
   Admin. Costs
                                                                                                                         (104,837)
                                                                                                                         -----------
Operating Income                                                                                                           89,004
Interest Expense-Net                                                                                                       (6,373)
                                                                                                                         -----------
Income Before Taxes                                                                                                       $82,631
                                                                                                                         -----------
Assets                   $52,896       $179,590        $89,101      $321,587      $152,603     $20,954      $74,193      $569,337
Expenditures For
   Long-Lived Assets
                          $6,381       $102,705        $65,834      $174,920        $7,405      $2,867       $8,876      $194,068
Depreciation &
   Amortization
                          $8,708        $14,858        $10,769       $34,335       $11,663      $1,905       $5,266       $53,169

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Dollars In thousands                                                        1999
------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            Eliminations
                                                                                  European     Other        & Corporate
                                          Domestic Segments                       Segment      Segments        Items        Total
                         -----------------------------------------------------    ---------    ----------   -----------   ----------
                          Scientific,
                          Technical,    Professional/                   Total
                          and Medical       Trade        College      Domestic
                         ------------   -----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                          <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Revenues
- External Customers      $131,132       $104,338        $84,326      $319,796      $135,008     $53,631     $       -     $508,435

- Intersegment Sales         7,375         13,587         14,141        35,103        11,396         466      (46,965)            -

                         ------------   -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   ----------

- Total Revenues          $138,507       $117,925        $98,467      $354,899      $146,404     $54,097     ($46,965)     $508,435
                         ------------   -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   ----------
Direct Contribution
   To Profit
                          $59,325        $28,048        $22,232      $109,605       $42,232      $8,846            -      $160,683
                         ------------   -----------    ----------   ----------     ---------    --------   ----------     ---------
Shared Services &
   Admin. Costs
                                                                                                                           (97,029)
                                                                                                                          ----------
Operating Income                                                                                                            63,654
Interest Expense-Net                                                                                                        (1,609)
                                                                                                                          ----------
Income Before Taxes                                                                                                        $62,045
                                                                                                                          ----------
Assets                   $62,250         $87,130        $24,107      $173,487      $162,379     $17,919     $174,767      $528,552
Expenditures For
   Long-Lived Assets
                          $7,826         $14,047         $6,686       $28,559       $18,906      $2,444       $3,149       $53,058
Depreciation &
   Amortization
                          $6,664          $9,288         $7,138       $23,090       $13,061        $945       $3,459       $40,555


</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dollars In thousands                                                       1998
------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           Eliminations
                                                                                 European     Other        & Corporate
                                          Domestic Segments                      Segment      Segments        Items        Total
                         ----------------------------------------------------    ---------    ---------    -----------   ----------
                        Scientific,
                         Technical,    Professional/                   Total
                        and Medical        Trade        College      Domestic
                        -----------    -----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Revenues
- External Customers      $123,080       $90,564        $76,317      $289,961      $122,385     $54,735     $       -     $467,081

- Intersegment Sales         6,741        11,701         14,558        33,000        11,164         344      (44,508)            -

                         ----------    -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   ----------
-Total Revenues           $129,821      $102,265        $90,875      $322,961      $133,549     $55,079     ($44,508)     $467,081
                         ----------    -----------    ----------    ----------    ---------   ----------   -----------   ----------
Direct Contribution
   To Profit
                           $55,405       $19,881        $17,833       $93,119       $37,185      $7,679            -      $137,983
                         ----------    -----------    ----------    -----------   ---------    --------    ----------    ---------
Shared Services &
   Admin. Costs
                                                                                                                          (92,720)
Unusual Items                                                                                                              16,893
                                                                                                                         ----------
Operating Income                                                                                                           62,156
Interest Expense-Net                                                                                                       (4,070)
                                                                                                                         ----------
Income Before Taxes                                                                                                       $58,086
                                                                                                                         ----------
Assets                    $62,103       $83,166        $32,625      $177,894      $158,933     $17,626     $152,461      $506,914
Expenditures For
   Long-Lived Assets
                          $12,231       $37,128         $7,823       $57,182        $8,641      $1,068       $5,755       $72,646
Depreciation &
   Amortization
                           $5,619        $9,152         $7,698       $22,469       $11,628      $1,034       $3,035       $38,166
</TABLE>

Intersegment  sales are  generally  made at a fixed  discount  from list  price.
Shared  services and  administrative  costs  include  costs for such services as
information technology,  distribution,  occupancy, human resources,  finance and
administration.  These costs are not  allocated  as they  support the  Company's
worldwide  operations.  Corporate  assets  primarily  consist  of cash  and cash
equivalents,  deferred tax benefits, and certain property and equipment. Unusual
items  amounting  to  $16,893  in 1998  relate  to the  gain on the  sale of the
domestic  law  publishing  program,  net of a write-down  of certain  intangible
assets and other  items.  Export  sales from the United  States to  unaffiliated
international customers amounted to approximately $62.1, $60.5 and $56.5 million
in 2000,  1999,  and 1998,  respectively.  The pretax  income  for  consolidated
international  operations was approximately $25.5, $17.3, $14.1 million in 2000,
1999, and 1998, respectively.


Worldwide revenues for the Company's core businesses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                  Dollars in thousands                                           Revenues
--------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          2000                   1999                    1998
                                                    ------------------    -------------------    ----------------------
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>                     <C>

                  Scientific, Technical, and            $241,618             $ 232,594              $ 217,331
                  Medical
                  Professional/Trade                     198,544               156,713                137,270
                  Educational                            154,653               119,128                112,480
                                                    ------------------    -------------------    ----------------------
                  Total                                 $594,815             $ 508,435              $ 467,081
                                                    ------------------    -------------------    ----------------------
</TABLE>

Revenues from external  customers and long-lived  assets by geographic area were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


         Dollars in thousands                        Revenues                                  Long-Lived Assets
         --------------------     -------------------------------------------          ------------------------------------------
                                        2000            1999           1998           2000           1999           1998
                                    -------------    -----------    -----------    -----------    ------------   ------------
             <S>                        <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>

         Domestic                    $350,875         $278,783       $253,429       $257,041       $121,643       $123,609
         International                243,940          229,652        213,652        131,790        137,938        130,102

         Total                       $594,815         $508,435       $467,081       $388,831       $259,581       $253,711
                                    ===========     ===========     ===========    ===========   ============   ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                       Financial Condition and Results of
                                   Operations

Results of Operations:
Fiscal 2000 Compared to Fiscal 1999

The Company continued to grow its revenue base through both internal development
and acquisitions  while improving  operating  margins.  The Company continues to
invest in new technologies as it accelerates its migration to the digital world.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2000,  the Company  acquired  certain higher
education  titles for  approximately  $57 million in cash, and  Jossey-Bass  for
approximately $81 million in cash, from Pearson Inc. The higher education titles
include  such  disciplines  as  biology/anatomy  and  physiology,   engineering,
mathematics,  economics,  finance and teacher education.  Jossey-Bass  publishes
books and journals for  professionals  and executives in such areas as business,
psychology and education/health  management.  The Company also acquired the J.K.
Lasser tax and financial guides for  approximately $5 million in cash, and other
smaller acquisitions for approximately $2 million.

Revenues for the year increased 17% to $594.8 million reflecting  improvement in
all of the Company's core businesses. The Company continued to gain market share
through the strength of its  frontlist and backlist  titles,  as well as through
the successful integration of its acquisitions.  Revenue growth for the year was
8% excluding the current year acquisitions and the foreign exchange  translation
effect of weaker European currencies.

Cost of sales as a percentage  of revenues was 32.8% in 2000 compared with 34.2%
in the prior year reflecting  lower  composition  costs and paper,  printing and
binding costs.

Operating and administrative costs increased 12.7% over the prior year, of which
7% was due to the acquisitions. Expenses as a percentage of revenues declined to
49.5%  compared  with 51.4% in the prior year, as the rate of growth in expenses
was contained at less than the revenue growth rate.

Operating  income increased 40% over the prior year. The operating income margin
reached 15%, one year ahead of plan, compared with 12.5% in the prior year.

Interest  expense net of interest  income,  of $6.4 million was $4.8 higher than
the prior  year due to the  financing  costs  related to the  acquisitions.  The
effective tax rate was 36.6% compared with 36% in the prior year.

Net income  increased  32% to $52.4  million,  and  diluted  earnings  per share
increased 35% to $0.81 per share.  Current year  acquisitions  were accretive to
earnings by approximately $0.03 per diluted share.

Segment Results

Domestic Professional/Trade segment revenues of $160.1 million advanced 36% over
the prior year,  benefiting from recent acquisitions of Jossey-Bass and the J.K.
Lasser tax and  financial  guides,  as well as a strong  frontlist and backlist,
including  increased  demand  from  online  Internet  suppliers.  Excluding  the
acquisitions,  revenue growth was 10% for the year. The direct  contribution  to
profit advanced 25% to $35.2 million.  The direct  contribution  margin declined
from 23.8% in the prior year to 22.0%,  as a result of the one-time  integration
costs related to the current year acquisitions.  The Professional/Trade business
is taking  advantage of the dramatic growth of e-commerce.  Online selling plays
to the division's strength as a niche publisher with a deep backlist serving the
professional  needs of its  customers.  There is a growing demand for electronic
products  among the  professional  markets  that it serves,  notably  computing,
accounting,  finance, psychology and architecture.  The division is capitalizing
on these  opportunities  with a combination of print and Web-based  products and
services,  as well as through the formation of strategic  alliances.  During the
year, the domestic  Professional/Trade  business launched Wiley Virtual CPA Exam
Review,  an  interactive  multimedia  course  on the Web  which  is based on the
Company's well known Delaney CPA  Examination  Review.  This  subscription-based
24/7  learning   environment  uses  streaming  video  and  audio  lectures  with
<PAGE>

self-assessment tests and extensive graphics.  Professional/Trade  also recently
entered into an agreement  with CNBC, a world leader in business news to publish
a series of books that will provide insight into personal investing.

Domestic College segment revenues of $127.7 million increased 30% over the prior
year,  primarily  related to increased  market share due to the  acquisition  of
certain higher education titles during the year, as well as a strong  frontlist.
Revenue growth for the year was 11% excluding the current year acquisition.  The
direct  contribution  to profit  increased 63% to $36.2 million,  and the direct
contribution  margin  improved to 28.3%  during the current year  compared  with
22.6% in the prior year. College continued to invest in new technological  tools
to help teachers teach and students learn. For example,  through  alliances such
as WebCT  and  Blackboard  the  College  segment  will be  offering  interactive
syllabi,  chat rooms and assessment tools including online quizzing and testing.
Every  major  college  textbook  now  has a  technology  component  designed  to
facilitate  teaching and learning.  The College  business has over 300 Web-sites
serving  the  needs of  professors  and  students.  These  Web-sites  are  being
redesigned to generate content dynamically from existing  databases,  as well as
linking them to key portals.  In the distance learning area,  College is working
with Caliber Learning Network to provide online courses for the higher education
and  corporate  lifelong  learning  markets.  Alliances are also being formed to
provide many of our top-selling textbooks in the e-book format.

Domestic  Scientific,  Technical  and Medical (STM)  revenues of $145.1  million
increased  5% over  the  prior  year  mainly  due to the  subscription  journals
business.  The direct contribution to profit increased 7% to $63.5 million.  The
direct  contribution margin was 43.7% in the current year compared with 42.8% in
the prior year. Wiley  InterScience,  the Company's  Web-based service, is being
expanded  to include the content of some of the  division's  best-selling  major
reference  works,  as  well as  EarlyView,  which  allows  customers  to  access
individual  articles online well in advance of the print issue. During the year,
STM also  formed an  alliance  with 32 other  publishers  to launch and  operate
CrossRef to facilitate the research process.  CrossRef is an electronic  linking
system that allows a reader to click on a reference  in a journal  published  by
one  participant  and go  directly  to the  referenced  article,  even  if it is
published by another participant and located on that publisher's server.

European  segment  revenues of $147.5  million  were up only a modest 1% for the
year, as the translation  effects of a stronger U.S. dollar  adversely  impacted
revenue growth. The direct contribution to profit of $47.1 million increased 11%
over the prior  year.  The direct  contribution  margin was 31.9% in the current
year  compared  with  28.8% in the prior  year.  During the year,  the  European
segment entered into a transatlantic alliance with the International  Securities
Market Association of Switzerland to create  Internet-based  finance courses. It
also acquired an equity interest in InPharm-Internet  Services, Ltd., the Oxford
based business to business portal site and online  information  resource for the
pharmaceutical industry.

The improvement in the Other  segment's  results of operations was due to strong
local product revenues in Canada and Australia and the  strengthening of many of
the Asian economies.

Results of Operations:
Fiscal 1999 Compared to Fiscal 1998


The  Company  registered  another  year of strong  earnings  growth  and  margin
improvement  through  a  combination  of  revenue  gains  and  cost  containment
measures.

Revenues for the year increased 9% to $508.4 million  reflecting  improvement in
all the Company's core businesses. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was
34.2% in 1999 compared with 35.1% in the prior year,  primarily reflecting lower
paper, printing and binding costs.

Operating  and  administrative  expenses  increased  3.2% over the  prior  year.
Expenses as a percentage of revenues  declined to 51.4%,  compared with 54.2% in
<PAGE>

the prior year, as the rate of growth in expenses was contained at less than the
revenue growth rate.

Operating income increased 41% over the prior year,  excluding the unusual items
pre-tax gain in the prior year of $16.9  million.  The  operating  income margin
reached 12.5% compared with 9.7% in the prior year.

Interest income  increased by $1.9 million due to higher cash balances  compared
with the prior year.  The  effective  tax rate was 36% compared  with 37% in the
prior year.

Net income  increased 48% to 39.7 million,  excluding the unusual items net gain
of $9.7 million after taxes in the prior year.

Segment Results

Domestic  Professional/Trade  segment  revenues  increased 15% to $117.9 million
driven by volume growth attributed to a strong frontlist and backlist as well as
increased  sales through  online  accounts.  The direct  contribution  to profit
advanced 41% to $28.0 million. The direct contribution margin increased to 23.7%
compared with 19.4% in the prior year.

Domestic  College  segment  revenues  advanced 8% to $98.5 million due to market
share gains resulting from a strong frontlist. The direct contribution to profit
increased 25% to $22.2  million.  The direct  contribution  margin  increased to
22.6% compared with 19.4% in the prior year.

Domestic STM revenues  increased 7% to $138.5 million  primarily  related to the
journal publishing  programs.  The direct contribution to profit increased 7% to
$59.3 million.  The direct  contribution margin was 42.8% compared with 42.7% in
the prior year.

European  segment  revenues  advanced 10% to $146.4 million driven  primarily by
increased journal revenues.  The direct  contribution to profit increased 14% to
$42.2 million,  and the direct  contribution  margin increased to 28.8% compared
with 27.8% in the prior year.

Other segment revenues declined modestly due to the weak Australian  dollar. The
direct  contribution  to profit  advanced  15% to $8.8  million,  and the direct
contribution margin improved to 16.4% compared with 13.9% in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's cash and cash equivalents  balance was $42.3 million at the end of
fiscal 2000,  compared  with $149.0  million at the end of the prior year.  Cash
provided by operating  activities was $131.8 million in fiscal 2000, an increase
of $13.9 million compared with the prior year.

The Company's operating cash flow is strongly affected by the seasonality of its
domestic college business and receipts from its journal subscriptions.  Receipts
from journal  subscriptions  occur  primarily  during November and December from
companies  commonly  referred  to  as  independent  subscription  agents.  These
companies   facilitate  the  journal  ordering  process  by  consolidating   the
subscription orders/billings of each subscriber with various publishers.  Monies
are collected in advance from  subscribers  by the  subscription  agents and are
remitted  to  the  Company,   generally   prior  to  the   commencement  of  the
subscriptions.  Although at fiscal  year-end the Company had minimal credit risk
exposure to these agents,  future calendar year subscription receipts from these
agents  are  highly  dependent  on  their  financial   position  and  liquidity.
Subscription agents account for approximately 24% of total consolidated revenues
and no one agent accounts for more than 7% of total consolidated revenues.

Sales to the domestic  college  market tend to be  concentrated  in June through
August,  and again in November  through January.  The Company normally  requires
increased  funds for working  capital from the beginning of the fiscal year into
September. Subject to variations that may be caused by fluctuations in inventory
accumulation or in patterns of customer payments, the Company's normal operating
cash flow is not expected to vary materially in the near term.

To finance its short-term seasonal working capital  requirements,  including the
$30 million scheduled debt repayment, and its growth opportunities,  the Company
has adequate cash and cash equivalents  available,  as well as both domestic and
foreign  short-term lines of credit,  as more fully described in the note to the
consolidated financial statements entitled "Notes Payable and Debt".
<PAGE>

The capital  expenditures  of the Company  consist  primarily of  investments in
product development and property and equipment.  Capital expenditures for fiscal
2001  are  expected  to  increase   approximately   50%  over  2000,   primarily
representing  investments in product  development,  including  electronic  media
products;  computer equipment  upgrades and internal-use  software in support of
the higher  volume of  business  to ensure  efficient,  quality-driven  customer
service; and for facilities improvements at certain locations. These investments
will be funded  primarily from internal cash  generation or from the liquidation
of cash equivalents.


Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk  primarily  related to interest  rates and
foreign  exchange.  It is the Company's policy to monitor these exposures and to
use derivative financial investments from time to time to reduce fluctuations in
earnings and cash flows when it is deemed appropriate to do so. The Company does
not use derivative financial investments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rates

The Company had a $125 million variable rate long-term loan outstanding at April
30, 2000 and 1999,  which  approximated  fair value. The Company did not use any
derivative  financial  investments to manage this exposure.  A hypothetical  10%
adverse  change in interest  rates for this variable rate debt would  negatively
affect net income and cash flow by approximately $.4 million.

Foreign Exchange Rates

The Company is exposed to foreign  exchange  movements  primarily  in  European,
Asian, Canadian and Australian currencies.  Consequently, the Company, from time
to time, enters into forward exchange  contracts as a hedge against its overseas
subsidiaries'  foreign currency asset,  liability,  commitment,  and anticipated
transaction  exposures,  including  intercompany  purchases.  There were no open
foreign exchange contracts at April 30, 2000 or 1999.

Effects of Inflation and Cost Increases

The Company,  from time to time, does experience cost increases  reflecting,  in
part, general inflationary factors, although the impact of inflation is somewhat
minimized  as the  business  does not  require  a high  level of  investment  in
property and equipment.  To mitigate the effects of cost increases,  the Company
has taken a number  of  initiatives  including  various  steps to lower  overall
production and  manufacturing  costs such as  substitution  of paper grades.  In
addition,   selling  prices  have  been  selectively  increased  as  competitive
conditions permit. The Company anticipates that it will be able to continue this
approach in the future.

New Accounting Standards

The  Financial   Accounting   Standards  Board  issued  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting Standards No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging
Activities", which specifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for such
instruments,  and is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning on May 1,
2001. It is anticipated  that the adoption of this new accounting  standard will
not have a  material  effect on the  consolidated  financial  statements  of the
Company.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This report contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company's
operations,  performance and financial condition.  Reliance should not be placed
on  forward-looking  statements,  as actual results may differ  materially  from
those in any forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are
based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently  subject to
uncertainties  and  contingencies,  many of which are beyond the  control of the
Company, and are subject to change based on many important factors. Such factors
include,  but are not  limited  to:  (i) the  pace,  acceptance,  and  level  of
investment in emerging new electronic technologies and products; (ii) subscriber
renewal rates for the Company's journals;  (iii) the consolidation of the retail
book  trade  market;  (iv) the  seasonal  nature  of the  Company's  educational
business  and the impact of the used book  market;  (v)  worldwide  economic and
political  conditions;  and (vi) other factors detailed from time to time in the
Company's  filings  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  The Company
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
<PAGE>

                         Results by Quarter (Unaudited)

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Dollars in thousands except per share data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           2000                  1999
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
<S>                        <C>                    <C>

Revenues
  First quarter          $ 136,980          $  122,091
  Second quarter           150,338             123,640
  Third quarter            158,394             137,976
  Fourth quarter           149,103             124,728
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
  Fiscal year           $  594,815          $  508,435
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
Operating Income
  First quarter           $ 22,569            $ 17,066
  Second quarter            24,914              15,306
  Third quarter             28,486              21,282
  Fourth quarter            13,035              10,000
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
  Fiscal year            $  89,004           $  63,654
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
Net Income
  First quarter          $  13,350           $  10,564
  Second quarter            14,084               9,275
  Third quarter             16,732              13,358
  Fourth quarter             8,222               6,512
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
  Fiscal year            $  52,388           $  39,709
------------------- ------------------- -----------------------


Income Per Share    Diluted     Basic     Diluted     Basic
                    --------- ----------- --------- -----------

  First quarter       $.20       $.22       $.16       $.17
  Second quarter       .22        .23        .14        .15
  Third quarter        .26        .27        .20        .21
  Fourth quarter       .13        .14        .10        .11
  Fiscal year          .81        .85        .60        .63
------------------- --------- ----------- --------- -----------
</TABLE>


        Quarterly Share Prices, Dividends and Related Stockholder Matters

The  Company's  Class A and  Class B shares  are  listed  on the New York  Stock
Exchange  under the symbols JWA and JWB,  respectively.  Dividends per share and
the market  price range by fiscal  quarter for the past two fiscal years were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    Class A Common Stock   Class B Common Stock
                   ---------------------- ----------------------
                   Divi-   Market Price    Divi-   Market Price
                          ---------------         --------------
                   dends   High     Low    dends     High    Low
               ---------   ------ ------ -------    ------- ------
<S>                <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>

  2000
  First quarter    $.0356 $22.75  $16.88  $.0319   $22.81  $17.00
  Second quarter    .0356  18.50   15.69   .0319    18.38   15.56
  Third quarter     .0356  18.50   14.88   .0319    18.38   14.88
  Fourth quarter    .0356  18.00   13.88   .0319    17.56   13.75
  ---------------- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------   -------
  1999
  First quarter    $.0319 $16.06  $13.31  $.0281   $16.05  $13.33
  Second quarter    .0319  18.28   14.07   .0281    18.44   14.25
  Third quarter     .0319  24.16   16.63   .0281    24.88   17.66
  Fourth quarter    .0319  23.47   19.25   .0281    23.41   19.31
</TABLE>

As of April 30, 2000, the approximate number of holders of the Company's Class A
and Class B Common Stock were 1,245 and 175, respectively,  based on the holders
of record and other information available to the Company.

The Company's credit agreement contains certain restrictive covenants related to
the  payment of  dividends  and share  repurchases.  Under the most  restrictive
covenant,  approximately $58 million was available for such restricted payments.
Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors considers quarterly the payment
of cash dividends based upon its review of earnings,  the financial  position of
the Company, and other relevant factors.

<PAGE>


                             Selected Financial Data

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Dollars in thousands except per share data                                 For the years ended April 30
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                          2000            1999           1998            1997            1996
--------------------------------------------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>              <C>

Revenues                                               $594,815        $508,435       $467,081        $431,974        $362,704
Operating Income                                         89,004          63,654         62,156 (a)      34,797          32,955
Net Income                                               52,388          39,709         36,588 (a)      20,340          24,680 (b)
Working Capital                                         (76,939)         60,870         59,257          39,783          31,515
Total Assets                                            569,337         528,552        506,914         457,944         284,501
Long-Term Debt                                           95,000         125,000        125,000         125,000              --
Shareholders' Equity                                    172,738         162,212        160,751         128,983         117,982
--------------------------------------------------- --------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------


Per Share Data
Income Per Share
     Diluted                                               .81             .60            .55             .31             .37 (b)
     Basic                                                 .85             .63            .58             .32             .39 (b)


Cash Dividends
     Class A Common                                      .1425           .1275          .1125           .1000           .0875
     Class B Common                                      .1275           .1120          .1000           .0875           .0775
     Book Value-End of Year                               2.85            2.60           2.51            2.03            1.83



</TABLE>


(a)  Fiscal 1998 includes unusual items amounting to a pretax gain of $16,893 or
     $9,713  after tax,  equal to $.14 per diluted  share ($.15 per basic share)
     relating to the gain on the sale of the  domestic law  publishing  program,
     net of a write-down of certain intangible assets and other items. Excluding
     the unusual items,  operating income would have been $45,263 and net income
     would  have  been  $26,875,  or $.41 per  diluted  share and $.43 per basic
     share.



(b)  Fiscal  1996  net  income  includes  interest  income  after  taxes of $2.6
     million,  or $.04 per diluted and basic  share,  received on the  favorable
     resolution of amended tax return claims.


<PAGE>



                                                                    Schedule II
                    JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2000, 1999 AND 1998

                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                      Additions
                                                            ------------------------------
                                               Balance at     Charged to                    Deductions     Balance at
                Description                    Beginning        Cost &           From      From Reserves  End of Period
                         of Period Expenses Acquisitions
--------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>

Year Ended April 30, 2000
     Allowance for sales returns(1)              $ 34,213     $   43,960     $     2,110     $  36,323      $   43,960
     Allowance for doubtful accounts             $  7,611     $    2,666     $        -      $     863 (2)  $    9,414

Year Ended April 30, 1999
     Allowance for sales returns(1)              $ 33,411     $   34,213     $        -      $  33,411      $   34,213
     Allowance for doubtful accounts             $  8,165     $    2,053     $        -      $   2,607(2)   $    7,611

Year Ended April 30, 1998
     Allowance for sales returns(1)              $ 27,099     $   32,945     $        -      $  26,633      $   33,411
     Allowance for doubtful accounts             $  7,414     $    3,445     $        -      $   2,694(2)   $    8,165



</TABLE>


(1)      Allowance for sales returns represents anticipated returns net of
         inventory and royalty costs.
(2)      Accounts written off, less recoveries.



<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                                       JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (Company)


               By:  /s/  William J. Pesce
              ----------------------------------------------------------------
               William J. Pesce
               President and Chief Executive Officer


               By:  /s/  Robert D. Wilder
              ----------------------------------------------------------------
               Robert D. Wilder
               Executive Vice President and
               Chief Financial & Support Operations Officer


               By:  /s/  Peter W. Clifford
              ----------------------------------------------------------------
               Peter W. Clifford
               Senior Vice President, Finance
               Corporate Controller
               & Chief Accounting Officer




Dated:  June 23, 2000


<PAGE>

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the  following  persons  constituting  directors of the
Company on June 23, 2000.



/s/      Warren J. Baker                   /s/      John L. Marion, Jr.
---------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
         Warren J. Baker                            John L. Marion, Jr.



 /s/      H. Allen Fernald                 /s/      William J. Pesce
 --------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
          H. Allen Fernald                          William J. Pesce



  /s/      Larry Franklin                  /s/      William R. Sutherland
 ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
           Larry Franklin                           William R. Sutherland



  /s/      Henry A. McKinnell               /s/      Bradford Wiley II
  ---------------------------------------   ------------------------------------
           Henry A. McKinnell                        Bradford Wiley II



   /s/      Peter Booth Wiley
   ---------------------------------------
            Peter Booth Wiley


<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit - 10.13






                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.


              FY 2000 QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN


                                  PLAN DOCUMENT





                                  CONFIDENTIAL










                                   MAY 1, 1999


<PAGE>


                                    CONTENTS

      Section            Subject                                          Page
      -------            -------                                          ----
         I.              Definitions                                         2
        II.              Plan Objectives                                     4
        III.             Eligibility                                         4
        IV.              Performance Measurement and Objectives              4
         V.              Performance Evaluation                              5
        VI.              Restricted Performance Shares Award rovisions       6
        VII.             Stock Option                                        7
       VIII.             Administration and Other Matters                    7


<PAGE>

                                 I. DEFINITIONS


Following are  definitions  for words and phrases used in this document.  Unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise,  these words and phrases are considered
to be defined terms and appear in this document in italicized print:

company    John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plan    The company's FY (Fiscal Year) 2000 Qualified Executive Long Term
Incentive Plan as set forth in this document.

shareholder plan    The company's Long Term Incentive Plan.

plan cycle The three year period from May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002.

Governance  and  Compensation  Committee  (the  Committee)  The committee of the
company's  Board  of  Directors  (Board)  responsible  for  reviewing  executive
compensation.

award period objectives The company's  objectives to achieve specific  financial
results  in terms of income,  cash flow and  earnings  per  share,  for the plan
cycle, as determined by the the Committee, and confirmed in writing.

financial  results The  company's  actual  achievement  against the award period
objectives  set for the  plan  cycle,  as  reflected  in the  company's  audited
financial statements and other financial records.

participant  Any person who is eligible  and is selected to  participate  in the
plan, as defined in Section III.

target  incentive The target  incentive as determined  and authorized by the the
Committee  at the  committee  meeting  held on  June  23,  1999 is a  restricted
performance shares award, which represents the number of restricted  performance
shares that a participant  is eligible to receive if 100% of his/her  applicable
award period objectives are achieved and the participant  remains an employee of
the company  through  April 30, 2004,  except as  otherwise  provided in Section
VIII.  The  target  incentive  is based  on the  participant's  position  and is
described in Section IV.

stock    Class A Common Stock of the company.

restricted  performance  share issued  pursuant to this plan and the shareholder
plan that is subject  to  forfeiture.  In the  shareholder  plan,  such stock is
referred to as "Performance-Based  Stock." The value of each share of restricted
performance  shares under this plan will be determined by reference to the stock
closing sale price, as reported by New York Stock Exchange  (NYSE),  on the date
the the Committee  acts at the  beginning of the plan cycle (June 23, 1999).  In
the event the stock is not traded on June 23, 1999 or the date the the Committee
acts,  whichever  is later,  the  closing  sales price shall be the price of the
stock on the next day  after  June 23,  1999 or the date the  Committee  acts on
which the stock trades.

restricted  period The period during which the shares of restricted  performance
shares  shall be subject to  forfeiture  in whole or in part,  as defined in the
shareholder plan, in accordance with the terms of the award.

plan end  adjusted  restricted  performance  shares  award.  The final amount of
restricted  performance  shares  awarded to a participant at the end of the plan
cycle after adjustments, if any, are made, as set forth in Section VIII.

a stock  option  issued  under  this  plan and the  shareholder  plan is a right
granted to a participant,  as more fully described under Section IX, to purchase
a specific  number of shares of stock at a  specified  price.  The stock  option
granted  under this plan will be  non-qualified  (i.e. is not intended to comply
with the  terms  and  conditions  for a  tax-qualified  option,  as set forth in
Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

grant date The date on which a participant is granted the stock option.  This is
also the date on which the exercise price of the stock option is based.

payout amount Cash, if any, plus plan end adjusted restricted performance shares
award,  as set forth in Section VIII, to a participant  under this plan, if any,
for  achievement of the award period  objectives,  as further  discussed in this
plan.

performance levels
    threshold The minimum  acceptable  level of  achievement  for each financial
    goal.  If  threshold  performance  is  achieved  against  all  award  period
    objectives,  a participant may earn 25% of the target  incentive  amount for
    which he/she is eligible.

    target  Achievement  of the financial  goal for a measure.  Each  individual
    financial goal is set at a level which is both challenging and achievable.
<PAGE>
    outstanding  Superior  achievement  of  the  award  period  objectives.   If
    outstanding performance is achieved against all award period objectives, the
    maximum amount a participant may earn is 200% of the target incentive amount
    for which he/she is eligible.

payout factor The percentage of award period  objectives deemed achieved applied
to the target incentive amount,  exclusive of the stock option portion,  if any,
to determine the payout amount.

cash flow Net income,  excluding  unusual  items not related to the period being
measured,  plus/minus  any non-cash  items included in net income and changes in
operating   assets  and  liabilities,   minus  normal   investments  in  product
development  assets and  property and  equipment  for the final year of the plan
cycle.

earnings per share  Earnings per share,  excluding  unusual items not related to
the period being measured for the final year of the plan cycle.

divisional  operating income  Operating income before  allocations for corporate
support services and taxes,  excluding the effects of any unusual items, for the
final year of the plan cycle.

divisional cash flow Operating  income before  allocations and taxes,  excluding
unusual items not related to the period being measured,  plus/minus any non-cash
items  included in divisional  operating  income (other than  provisions for bad
debts),  and  changes  in  controllable  assets  and  liabilities,  less  normal
investments  in product  development  assets and direct  property and  equipment
additions,  for the  final  year of the  plan  cycle.  Controllable  assets  and
liabilities  are  inventory,   composition,   author  advances,  other  deferred
publication costs, and deferred subscription revenues.

GPC  operating   income   divisional   operating  income  as  adjusted  for  the
intercompany profit earned by other divisions.

GPC cash flow  divisional  cash flow as  adjusted  for the  intercompany  profit
earned by other divisions.


                               II. PLAN OBJECTIVES

The plan is intended  to provide the  officers  and other key  employees  of the
Company and of its subsidiaries, affiliates and certain Joint Venture Companies,
upon whose judgement,  initiative and efforts the Company depends for its growth
and fort the profitable  conduct of its business,  with additional  incentive to
promote the success of the Company and to that end to encourage  such  employees
to acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the Company.

                                III. ELIGIBILITY

The participant is selected by the Committee in its sole discretion,  from among
those  employees  in key  management  positions  deemed  able to make  the  most
significant  contributions to the growth and  profitability of the company.  The
President and CEO of the company is a participant.



                   IV. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND OBJECTIVES

A.     Award period objectives are determined by the Committee at its sole
       discretion.  Award period objectives are set at a level that is
       challenging and achievable.

B.     Award period objectives  established for each participant may include one
       or more organizational level's award period objectives (e.g., company and
       division),  and one or more  award  period  objectives  for a  particular
       organizational  unit (e.g.,  divisional cash flow,  divisional  operating
       income).  The weighting of and between the  organizational  levels' award
       period objectives may vary,  depending upon the  participant's  position.
       Weighting of the  participant's  award period objectives is determined by
       the committee in its sole discretion.

<PAGE>

                            V. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

A.     Financial Results
1.       The attainment of any award period objectives established by the
         Committee shall be determined by the Committee at the end of the plan
         cycle.

2.           In  determining  the  attainment  of award period  objectives,  the
             impact of any acquistion or  divestiture  which closes in the final
             year  of  a  plan  cycle  and  which  is  valued  at  greater  than
             $5,000,000,  will be excluded in determining the financial  results
             for the company or a division

B.     Award Determination
       1.    At least threshold  performance,  in aggregate,  of a participant's
             organizational   level's   financial  goal  is  necessary  for  the
             participant  to  receive  a payout  for that  financial  goal.  The
             achievement  of threshold  for any single  measure will result in a
             payout to the participant.

       [2.   The determination of the performance level achievement  (threshold,
             target   and   outstanding,   or  points  in   between)   for  each
             organizational   level's  award  period  objectives  will  be  made
             independently  of any other  organizational  level's  award  period
             objectives a participant may have.] out?

       3.    If the participant has more than one  organizational  level's award
             period objectives, the achievement of a threshold performance level
             of any of the  organizational  level's award period objectives will
             result  in a payout  for that  organizational  level  award  period
             objective.

       4.    The  following   details  the  effect  of  the  financial   results
             performance  levels on a  participant's  payout amount.  The actual
             payout factors will be determined by the  Committee,  in accordance
             with the following:

              a.    For below threshold performance, the payout factor is zero.

              b.    For threshold performance, the payout factor is 25%.

c. For between threshold and target performance, the payout factor is determined
   as follows:

                           (T% - Th% / 1 -  ThAch%) x Act% - ThAch% x 100) / 100
                           + Th% where,
                                T%        = target payout  percentage (100%)
                                Th%       = threshold  payout  percentage (25%)
                                ThAch%    = threshold  achievment  level
                                Act%      =  actual achievement level

              d.    For target performance, the payout factor is100%.

              e.    For between target and outstanding performance, the payout
                    factor is determined as follows:

                            1 + (O% - T%) / (OAch% - 1) x (Act% - 1)where,
                                O%        = outstanding payout percentage (200%)
                                T%        = target  payout  percentage  (100%)
                                OAch%     = Outstanding  achievment level
                                Act%      = actual achievement level

              f.    For outstanding performance, the payout factor is 200%.

       5.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maximum payout
             amount, if any, a participant may receive is 200% of the
             target incentive.


<PAGE>
               VI. RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE SHARES AWARD PROVISIONS

     A.   Restricted  performance  shares,  if  any,  shall  be  awarded  at the
          beginning  of the plan cycle,  after the June 23,  1999 the  Committee
          meeting. The amount of restricted  performance shares awarded shall be
          based  on  the  proportion  of  the  target  incentive   allocated  to
          restricted performance shares, as determined by the the Committee. The
          value of each share will be determined based on the stock closing sale
          price,  as reported by the NYSE, on the date the the Committee acts at
          the  beginning  of the plan cycle  (June 23,  1999).  In the event the
          stock is not  traded  on June 23,  1999 or the date the the  Committee
          acts,  whichever is later,  the closing sales price shall be the price
          of the stock on the next day after  June 23,  1999 or the date the the
          Committee  acts on which the stock  trades,  whichever  is later.  The
          restricted  performance  shares  awarded at the  beginning of the plan
          cycle are  subject to  adjustment  at the end of the plan cycle as set
          forth in Sections VI (B) below. Restricted performance shares, if any,
          shall be awarded pursuant to the shareholder  plan, as approved by the
          the  Committee.  In addition to the terms and  conditions set forth in
          the shareholder plan, the restricted period for restricted performance
          shares  awarded shall be as follows:  subject to continued  employment
          except as otherwise set forth in the  shareholder  plan,  the lapse of
          restrictions on one-half of the restricted  performance shares awarded
          will occur on the first  anniversary  (April 30, 2003) of the plan end
          date  at  which  time  the  participant   will  receive  a  new  stock
          certificate  in a number of shares equal to one-half of the restricted
          performance  shares awarded with the restrictive  legend deleted,  and
          the lapse of  restrictions  on the  remaining  half will  occur on the
          second anniversary (April 30, 2004) of the plan end date at which time
          the  participant  will receive a new stock  certificate in a number of
          shares  equal  to the  remaining  half  with  the  restrictive  legend
          deleted. B. The final amount of restricted  performance shares will be
          determined as follows:  The restricted  performance shares established
          by the the  Committee at the  beginning  of the plan cycle  multiplied
          times the payout  factor  equals the number of shares for the plan end
          adjusted  restricted  performance  shares  award.  The  result of this
          calculation  will be compared  to the  restricted  performance  shares
          awarded at the beginning of the plan cycle, and the appropriate amount
          of  restricted  performance  shares will be awarded or  forfeited,  as
          required,  to bring the  restricted  performance  shares  award to the
          number  of  shares  designated  as the  plan end  adjusted  restricted
          performance shares award.

                                VII. STOCK OPTION

The participant  may be granted a stock option pursuant to the shareholder  plan
at the beginning of the plan cycle,  representing  another  incentive vehicle by
which the participant is able to share in the equity growth of the company.  The
number of shares in the stock option granted to a participant under this plan is
based  on a set  of  variables  and  assumptions,  applied  consistently  to all
participants,  regarding  the monetary  value a  participant  might receive upon
exercise of the stock option. The terms and conditions of the award of the stock
option are  contained in the  shareholder  plan and in the stock  option  award.
Withholding taxes relating to the gain realized on the exercise of an option may
be satisfied by surrendering  to the company the equivalent  value of the taxes,
or a portion thereof, in option shares in lieu of cash.

                     VIII. ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS

A.   This plan will be administered by the Committee,  which will have authority
     in its sole  discretion to interpret and administer  this plan,  including,
     without limitation,  all questions regarding  eligibility and status of any
     participant,  and no  participant  shall  have  any  right to  receive  any
     restricted performance shares or payment of any kind whatsoever,  except as
     determined by the the Committee hereunder.

B.   The company will have no obligation to reserve or otherwise fund in advance
     any amount which may become payable under the plan.

C.   Restricted  performance shares, stock options awarded and any cash paid out
     under this plan shall not be  considered  as  compensation  for purposes of
     defining  compensation  for retirement,  savings or supplemental  executive
     retirement plans, or similar type plans.

D.   This plan may not be modified or amended except with the approval of the
     Committee.

E.   In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this plan and the
     provisions of the shareholder plan, the provisions of the shareholder plan
     shall apply.
<PAGE>

SUBSIDIARIES OF JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Jurisdiction
                                                                     In Which
                                                                   Incorporated
<S>                                                                  <C>


Wiley Europe Limited                                              England
     Wiley Heyden Limited                                         England    (2)
     John Wiley & Sons Limited                                    England    (2)
     Academy Group Limited                                        England    (2)
     Chancery Law Publishing Limited                              England    (2)
     Wiley Distribution Services Limited                          England    (2)
     Wiley Europe (S.A.R.L.)                                      France     (2)
John Wiley & Sons Australia, LTD.                                 Australia
John Wiley & Sons (HK) Limited                                    Hong Kong
Wiley Interscience, Inc.                                          New York
John Wiley & Sons International Rights, Inc.                      Delaware
Wiley-Liss, Inc.                                                  Delaware
Wiley Publishing Services, Inc.                                   Delaware
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc.                                 Delaware
Clinical Psychology Publishing Company, Inc.                      Delaware
John Wiley & Sons Canada Limited                                  Canada
Wiley Foreign Sales Corporation                                   Barbados
John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd.                                 Singapore
Scripta Technica, Inc.                                            District of
                                                                  Columbia
WWL, Inc.                                                         Delaware
     Wiley-Japan Y.K.                                             Japan      (5)
John Wiley & Sons GmbH                                            Germany
     Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH                                        Germany    (3)
         Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn, Verlag fur
              Architektur und technische
              Wissenschaften, GmbH                                Germany    (4)
         Wiley-VCH Berlin GmbH                                    Germany    (4)
         VCH Publishers (U.K.) Limited                            England    (4)
         Wiley-VCH Verlags Basel AG                               Switzerland(4)
         Verlag Helvetica Chemica Acka                            Switzerland(4)
         Verlag Chemie GmbH                                       Germany    (4)
         Physik-Verlag GmbH                                       Germany    (4)
</TABLE>

(1)  The names of other subsidiaries which would not constitute a significant
     subsidiary in the aggregate have been omitted.
(2)  Subsidiary of Wiley Europe Limited.
(3)  Subsidiary of John Wiley & Sons GmbH.
(4)  Subsidiary of Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH.
(5)  Subsidiary of WWL, Inc.


<PAGE>


                                                                Exhibit - 10.14






                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.


                FY 2000 QUALIFED EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN


                                  PLAN DOCUMENT







                                  CONFIDENTIAL




                                   MAY 1, 1999

<PAGE>

                                    CONTENTS



      Section            Subject                                            Page
      -------            -------                                            ----
         I.              Definitions                                           2
        II.              Plan Objectives                                       3
        III.             Eligibility                                           3
        IV.              Performance Objectives and Measurement                3
         V.              Performance Evaluation                                4
        VI.              Payouts                                               5
        VII.             Status Changes                                        5
       VIII.             Administration and Other Matters                      5



<PAGE>

                                 I. DEFINITIONS

Following are  definitions  for words and phrases used in this document.  Unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise,  these words and phrases are considered
to be defined terms and appear in this document in italicized print:

company    John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plan   The company's Executive Annual Incentive Plan.

plan year The twelve month period from May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000.

Governance  and  Compensation  Committee  (the  Committee)  The committee of the
company's  Board  of  Directors  (Board)  responsible  for  reviewing  executive
compensation.

Performance  targets A  participant's  objective to achieve  specific  financial
results for FY 2000, as approved and  communicated  in writing,  as described in
Sections IV and V below.

financial  results Total  company or division  achievement  against  performance
target set for FY 2000.

participant  Any person who is eligible to and is selected to participate in the
plan, as defined in Section III.

base  salary The  participant's  base salary as of July  1,1999,  or the date of
hire,  or  promotion  into the plan,  if later,  adjusted  for any  increases or
decreases  during FY 2000,  on a prorated  basis and  adjusted for any amount of
time the  participant  may not be in the plan for  reasons  of hire,  promotion,
death, disability, retirement and/or termination.

payout Actual gross dollar amount paid to a participant  under the plan, if any,
for achievement of performance target, as further discussed in this plan.

target incentive percent The percent applied to the participant's base salary to
determine the target incentive amount.

target  incentive  amount The amount,  if any, that a participant is eligible to
receive if a  participant  achieves  100% of  his/her  performance  target.  The
incentive for  performance  target should  constitute at least 70% of the target
incentive amount for the participant.

performance levels
      threshold The minimum  acceptable  level of  achievement of each financial
      goal. If threshold performance is achieved against all performance target,
      a participant may earn 25% of the target incentive amount for which he/she
      is eligible.

      target  Achievement  in  aggregate  of  target  performance  target.  Each
      individual  financial goal is set at a level which is both challenging and
      achievable.

      outstanding  Superior  achievement of performance  target, both in quality
      and scope, with limited time and resources.  If outstanding performance is
      achieved  against  all  performance  target  and,  the  maximum  amount  a
      participant  may earn is 175% of the  target  incentive  amount  for which
      he/she is eligible.

payout factor Percentage of performance  target deemed achieved,  applied to the
target incenive amount,  used to determine the payout for which a participant is
eligible.


<PAGE>



business criteria  measures selected from the Plan for the company or division.
For the FY2000 Plan, the business criteria are:
         revenue  Gross annual revenue, net of provision for returns.

         cash flow Net income, excluding unusual items not related to the period
         being  measured,  plus/minus  any non-cash items included in net income
         and  changes  in  operating  assets  and   liabilities,   minus  normal
         investments in product development assets and property and equipment.

         earnings per share  Earnings  per share,  excluding  unusual  items not
related to the period being measured.

         divisional  operating income  Operating  income before  allocations for
         corporate  support  services  and taxes,  excluding  the effects of any
         unusual items.

         divisional  cash flow Operating  income before  allocations  and taxes,
         excluding  unusual  items not  related  to the period  being  measured,
         plus/minus any non-cash items included in divisional  operating  income
         (other  than  provisions  for bad debts),  and changes in  controllable
         assets and liabilities,  less normal investments in product development
         assets and direct property and equipment additions. Controllable assets
         and  liabilities are inventory,  composition,  author  advances,  other
         deferred publication costs, and deferred subscription revenues
II.                                                             PLAN OBJECTIVES

The plan is intended  to provide the  officers  and other key  employees  of the
Company and of its subsidiaries, affiliates and certain Joint Venture Companies,
upon whose judgement,  initiative and efforts the Company depends for its growth
and effort the profitable conduct of its business,  with additional incentive to
promote the success of the Company

                                III. ELIGIBILITY

The  Committee  in its  discretion,  may grant  targe  awards  to key  corporate
management executives for each fiscal year of the Company as it shall determine.
For purposes of the Plan, key corporate  management  executives shall be defined
as those persons designated as such from time to time by the Committee.
                     IV. PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND MEASUREMENT

A.     Performance targets are determined by the Committee in writing, not later
       than 90 days after the commencement of the fiscal year.

B.     Performance  targets  are set for the  company  as a whole  and for  each
       division,  and are  comprised of one or more  business  criteria for each
       unit. The participant will be given specific performance  targets,  based
       on an appropriate mix of company and/or division objectives.
C.     Performance target include defining levels of performance (threshold,
       target and outstanding) for each business crtieria and the measures of
       each.
                            V. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

A.     Actual  financial  results  achieved by the company and by each  division
       will be  determined  at the end of the plan year,  and will compared with
       previously set performance  target by the Committee to determine a payout
       factor for each participant.
<PAGE>

B.     Award Determination
       1.    A performance target, established for each participant, may include
             one or more organizational unit's performance targets (e.g. company
             and   division),   and  one  or  more  business   criteria  for  an
             organizational unit. At least threshold performance,  in aggregate,
             for each  organizational  unit is necessary for the  participant to
             receive a payout for that  organizational  unit. The achievement of
             threshold for any single buisiness criteria will result in a payout
             to the participant

2.       Payout eligibility will be determined by calculating the amount for
         achievement of performance target, as follows:

             Base Salary x Target Incentive Payout x Weighting of Financial Goal
             x Payout Factor = Financial Goals Payout Eligibility

       3.    The  following   details  the  effect  of  the  financial   results
             performance  levels on a  participant's  payout amount.  The actual
             payout factors will be determined by the  Committee,  in accordance
             with the following:

              a.    For below threshold performance, the payout factor is zero.

              b.    For threshold performance, the payout factor is 25%.

              c.    For between threshold and target performance, the payout
                    factor is determined as follows:

                           (T% - Th% / 1 -  ThAch%) x Act% - ThAch% x 100) / 100
                           + Th% where,
                                T%        = target payout  percentage  (100%)
                                Th%       = threshold  payout  percentage (25%)
                                ThAch%    = threshold  achievment  level
                                Act%      = actual achievement level

              d.    For target performance, the payout factor is 100%.

              e.    For between target and outstanding performance, the payout
                    factor is determined as follows:

                           1 + (O% - T%) / (OAch% - 1) x (Act% - 1)where,
                                O%        = outstanding payout percentage (175%)
                                T%        = target  payout  percentage  (100%)
                                OAch%     = Outstanding  achievment level
                                Act%      = actual achievement level

              f.    For outstanding performance, the payout factor is 175%.
<PAGE>

       4.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maximum payout
             amount, if any, a participant may receive is 175% of the
             target incentive.

                                   VI. PAYOUTS

Payouts  will be made  within 90 days after the end of the plan year and will be
based on audited financial results.
                               VII. STATUS CHANGES

A.     In the event of a participant's death, disability, retirement or leave of
       absence prior to payout from the plan, the payout, if
       any, will be determined by the Committee

B.     A  participant  who resigns,  or whose  employment  is  terminated by the
       company,   with  or  without  cause,  before  payout  from  the  plan  is
       distributed, will not receive a payout. Exception to this provision shall
       be made only with the approval of the GCC, in its sole discretion.

C.     A participant who transfers between  divisions of the company,  will have
       his/her payout  prorated to the nearest fiscal quarter for the time spent
       in  each  division,  based  on  the  achievement  of  performance  target
       established for the position in each division.

D.     A  participant  who is  appointed to a position  with a different  target
       incentive percent will have his/her payout prorated to the nearest fiscal
       quarter for the time spent in each position,  based on the achievement of
       performance target established for each position.

E.     A participant who is hired or promoted into an eligible position during
       the plan year may receive a prorated payout as determined by the GCC, in
       its sole discretion.

                     VIII. ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS

A.     The plan is effective for the plan year.  It will terminate, subject to
       payout, if any, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
       plan unless renewed by the company in writing in its sole discretion.

B.     This plan will be  administered  by the GCC who will  have  authority  to
       interpret and administer this plan,  including,  without limitation,  all
       questions regarding eligibility and status of the participant.

C.     This plan may be withdrawn, amended or modified at any time, for any
       reason, in writing, by the company.

D.     The  determination  of an award and payout  under this plan,  if any,  is
       subject to the approval of the GCC, in their sole  discretion.  This plan
       does not confer upon any participant the right to receive any payout,  or
       payment of any kind whatsoever.

E.       No participant shall have any vested rights under this plan.  This plan
         does not constitute a contract.

F.       All deductions and other withholdings required by law shall be made to
         the participant's payout, if any.


<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit - 10.15


                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.


          FY 2000 EXECUTIVE ANNUAL STRATEGIC MILESTONES INCENTIVE PLAN


                                  PLAN DOCUMENT







                                  CONFIDENTIAL






                                   MAY 1, 1998



<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS



      Section            Subject                                            Page
      -------            -------                                            ----
         I.              Definitions                                           2
        II.              Plan Objectives                                       3
        III.             Eligibility                                           3
        IV.              Performance Objectives and Measurement                3
         V.              Performance Evaluation                                3
        VI.              Payouts                                               4
        VII.             Status Changes                                        4
       VIII.             Administration and Other Matters                      5




<PAGE>



                                 I. DEFINITIONS


Following are  definitions  for words and phrases used in this document.  Unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise,  these words and phrases are considered
to be defined terms and appear in this document in italicized print:

company    John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plan The  company's  Fiscal  Year 2000  Executive  Annual  Strategic  Milestones
Incentive  Plan  described in this  document and any written  amendments to this
document.

plan year The twelve month period from May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000.

Governance  and  Compensation  Committee  (the  Committee)  The committee of the
company's  Board  of  Directors  (Board)  responsible  for  reviewing  executive
compensation.

strategic milestone A participant's objective to achieve specific results for FY
1999,  including interim revised strategic  milestones,  if any, as approved and
communicated  in writing,  as  described  in Sections IV and V below.  Strategic
milestones are leading indicators of performance.

participant  Any person who is eligible to and is selected to participate in the
plan, as defined in Section III.

base  salary The  participant's  base salary as of July  1,1999,  or the date of
hire,  or  promotion  into the plan,  if later,  adjusted  for any  increases or
decreases  during FY 2000,  on a prorated  basis and  adjusted for any amount of
time the  participant  may not be in the plan for  reasons  of hire,  promotion,
death, disability, retirement and/or termination.

payout Actual gross dollar amount paid to a participant  under the plan, if any,
for  achievement  of  financial  goals  and  strategic  milestones,  as  further
discussed in this plan.

target incentive percent The percent applied to the participant's base salary to
determine the target incentive amount.

target  incentive  amount The amount,  if any, that a participant is eligible to
receive if a participant  achieves 100% of his/her financial goals and strategic
milestones.  The incentive for financial goals should constitute at least 70% of
the target incentive amount for the participant.

performance levels
      threshold  The  minimum  acceptable  level  of  achievement  of  strategic
      milestones.  If threshold  performance  is achieved  against all strategic
      milestones,  a participant may earn 25% of the target incentive amount for
      which he/she is eligible.

      target  Achievement  in aggregate  of target  strategic  milestones.  Each
      individual strategic milestone is set at a level which is both challenging
      and achievable.

      outstanding Superior achievement of strategic milestones,  both in quality
      and scope, with limited time and resources.  If outstanding performance is
      achieved against  strategic  milestones,  the maximum amount a participant
      may earn is 175% of the target incentive amount.

payout factor Percentage of strategic milestones deemed achieved, applied to the
target incenive amount,  used to determine the payout for which a participant is
eligible.


<PAGE>


                               II. PLAN OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the FY 2000 Executive Annual Strategic  Milestones Incentive Plan
is to enable the company to reinforce and sustain a culture devoted to excellent
performance,  reward  significant  contributions  to the  success of Wiley,  and
attract and retain highly qualified executives.

                                III. ELIGIBILITY

The participant is selected by the President and CEO of the company,  from among
those  employees  in key  management  positions  deemed  able to make  the  most
significant  contributions to the growth and profitability of the company,  with
the  approval  of the  Committee.  The  President  and CEO of the  company  is a
participant.

                   IV. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND MEASUREMENT

A.     Strategic milestones are non-financial  individual  objectives over which
       the  participant  has a large  measure of control,  which lead to, or are
       expected to lead to improved  performance  for the company in the future.
       Strategic  milestones are determined  near the beginning of the plan year
       by the participant,  and approved by the  participant's  manager,  if the
       President and CEO is not the participant's manager.

B.     The strategic milestones for the President and CEO are reviewed and
       approved by the Committee.

C.     The strategic milestones for the President and CEO should be
       appropriately reflected in those of all other employees at all
       levels.  Each participant collaborates with his/her manager in setting
       strategic milestones.  The strategic milestones may be revised in the
       interim, as appropriate.

D.     The determination of strategic milestones includes defining a target
       level of performance and the measure of such, and may include defining
       threshold and outstanding levels of performance and the measures of such.

                            V. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

A.     Achievement of a participant's strategic milestones will be determined at
       the end of the plan year by comparing results achieved to previously set
       objectives.

B.     Each participant's manager will recommend a payout factor for achievement
       of all strategic  milestones compared with the previously set objectives.
       In  determining  the  payout  factor,  the  overall  performance  on  all
       strategic milestones will be considered. This payout factor is subject to
       the review and approval of the  President  and CEO, the Committee and the
       Board.  The Committee will recommend to the Board for approval the payout
       factor for the  President  and CEO's  achievement  of  his/her  strategic
       milestones  based on the  Committee's  evaluation of his/her  achievement
       compared with the previously set objectives.

<PAGE>
C.     Award Determination


                      STRATEGIC MILESTONES PAYOUT AMOUNT

                     Base Salary X Target Incentive Percent

               X Weighting of Strategic Milestones X Payout Factor

                    = Strategic Milestones Payout Eligibility


       1.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the maximum payout, if
             any, a participant may receive is 175% of the target incentive
             amount.

       2.    The foregoing Strategic  Milestones payout eligibility  calculation
             is intended to set forth general guidelines on how awards are to be
             determined. The purpose of this plan is to motivate the participant
             to perform in an  outstanding  manner.  The  President  and CEO has
             discretion  under  this  plan  to  take  into   consideration   the
             contribution of the participant,  the  participant's  management of
             his/her organizational unit and other relevant factors, positive or
             negative,   which   impact   the   company's,   the   participant's
             organizational  unit(s), and the participant's  performance overall
             in determining  whether to recommend  granting or denying an award,
             and the  amount of the award,  if any.  If the  participant  is the
             President  and  CEO,  such  discretion  is to be  exercised  by the
             Committee and the Board.

                                   VI. PAYOUTS

Payouts  will be made  within 90 days after the end of the plan year and will be
based on audited financial results.

                               VII. STATUS CHANGES

A.     In the event of a participant's death, disability, retirement or leave of
       absence  prior to  payout  from the plan,  the  payout,  if any,  will be
       determined by the President and CEO in his/her sole  discretion,  subject
       to any approval of the Committee in its sole  discretion,  subject to any
       required Board  approvals.  If the  participant is the President and CEO,
       such approval is required by the Board, in its sole discretion.
B.     A  participant  who resigns,  or whose  employment  is  terminated by the
       company,   with  or  without  cause,  before  payout  from  the  plan  is
       distributed, will not receive a payout. Exception to this provision shall
       be made only with the approval of the Committee,  in its sole discretion,
       subject  to any  required  Board  approvals.  If the  participant  is the
       President  and CEO,  such  approval  is required by the Board in its sole
       discretion.
<PAGE>

C.     A participant who transfers between  divisions of the company,  will have
       his/her payout  prorated to the nearest fiscal quarter for the time spent
       in each  division,  based  on the  achievement  of  strategic  milestones
       established for the position in each division,  and based upon a judgment
       of the  participant's  contribution  to the  achievement of goals in each
       position, including interim revisions, if appropriate.

D.     A  participant  who is  appointed to a position  with a different  target
       incentive percent will have his/her payout prorated to the nearest fiscal
       quarter for the time spent in each position,  based on the achievement of
       financial goals and strategic milestones established for each position.

E.     A participant  who is hired or promoted into an eligible  position during
       the plan  year  may  receive  a  prorated  payout  as  determined  by the
       President and CEO, in his/her sole discretion, subject to the approval of
       the Committee.

                     VIII. ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS

A.     The plan is effective for the plan year.  It will terminate, subject to
       payout, if any, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
       plan unless renewed by the company in writing in its sole discretion.

C.     This plan will be  administered  by the  President and CEO, who will have
       authority to  interpret  and  administer  this plan,  including,  without
       limitation,  all  questions  regarding  eligibility  and  status  of  the
       participant, subject to the approval of the Committee required under this
       plan or the by-laws of the company.

C.     This plan may be withdrawn, amended or modified at any time, for any
       reason, in writing, by the company.

D.     The  determination  of an award and payout  under this plan,  if any,  is
       subject to the approval of the President and CEO, the Committee,  and the
       Board in their  sole  discretion.  This  plan  does not  confer  upon any
       participant  the right to  receive  any  payout,  or  payment of any kind
       whatsoever.

E.    No participant shall have any vested rights under this plan.  This plan
      does not constitute a contract.

All deductions and other withholdings required by law shall be made to the
participant's payout, if any.
<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.21


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  AGREEMENT made as of the 15th day of June 2000, by and between
John  Wiley & Sons,  Inc.,  a New York  corporation,  with  offices at 605 Third
Avenue, New York, New York 10158 (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation"),
and Robert D. Wilder presently residing at 10 Forest Glen Drive,  Highland Park,
New Jersey 08904 (hereinafter referred to as the "Employee").


                            W I T N E S S E T H :
                            - - - - - - - - - -

                  Employee  is  presently  employed by the  Corporation  and has
requested a modification of his existing employment  agreement.  The Corporation
has agreed to Employee's  request and the parties  mutually desire to enter into
an agreement of employment  for the period from May 1, 2000 through June 4, 2003
on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.
                  NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
     1. Employment.
     1.1 From May 1, 2000 until such time as Employee's title and
     duties are  transferred  to a  successor  (hereinafter  referred  to as the
     "Transition  Date")  the  Corporation  shall  continue  Employee's  current
     employment as Executive Vice  President and Chief  Financial and Operations
     Officer.  From the Transition  Date through and including June 4, 2003, the
     Corporation shall employ Employee as a consultant, with such responsibility
     and authority as may from time to time be  designated  by the  Corporation.

     1.2 Employee hereby accepts such employment and shall devote his attention,
     knowledge and skills faithfully,  diligently and to the best of his ability
     to
 <PAGE>
     the  performance  of his duties at such times as the  Corporation
     regularly conducts its business in accordance with the following  schedule:

     (a) from June 15, 2000 through and including the Transition Date, five days
     per week;
     (b) from the  Transition  Date through April 30, 2001, up to five
     days per month; and
     (c) from May 1, 2001 until June 4, 2003,  approximately one day per month.
     Employee  shall do such  traveling as may be reasonably required of him in
     the performance of his duties. Employee shall be subject to and shall
     observe  and carry out such  reasonable  rules,  regulations, policies,
     directions  and  restrictions  consistent  with the duties to be
     performed  by him  hereunder  as the  Corporation  shall  from time to time
     establish.   Employee  shall  be  entitled  to  expense   reimbursement  in
     accordance with the policies of the  Corporation,  as established from time
     to time,  secretarial and other office support as needed for work performed
     on premises,  and computer  equipment to interface  with the  Corporation's
     systems as necessary for work  performed off premises.

     1.3 Employee  shall not be entitled to compensation other than the
     compensation  provided for (or otherwise referred to) in this Agreement for
     any services he may render with  respect to any of the  Corporation's
     subsidiaries.

     1.4 Prior to the Transition  Date,  Employee shall not without the prior
     written approval of the Corporation  accept employment or compensation from
     or perform services of any nature for any business enterprise other than
     the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or joint-venture  entities.
     After the Transition Date, Employee  may accept

  <PAGE>
     employment  or  compensation  from or perform services for any business
     enterprise that is not a Restricted  Business as that term is defined in
     Section  7.1.

     1.5  Employee  shall not without the prior  written   approval  of  the
     Corporation   invest  in  any  business enterprise:

     1.5.1 if such enterprise  engages in or involves a "Restricted Business"
     as that term is hereinafter defined in Section 7.1;

     1.5.2 if such investment  interferes with the performance of Employee's
     duties hereunder; or

     1.5.3 if such  investment  would  violate  the  Corporation's  announced
     business policy with respect to employee interests in suppliers of goods or
     services to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the
     foregoing,  Employee  may  invest  in  securities  of any  company  if such
     securities are listed for trading on a national stock exchange or traded on
     the  over-the-counter  market and Employee's  investment therein represents
     less than one percent (1%) of the total number of outstanding shares of the
     class of  shares  or  outstanding  principal  amount  of the class of other
     securities of such company, as the case may be.

     1.6 Prior to the Transition Date,  Employee  shall  not  without the  prior
     written  approval  of the Corporation  serve on the board of  directors  of
     any  business  enterprise other than the Corporation or any of its
     subsidiaries. After the Transition Date, Employee  may  serve on the  board
     of  directors  of any  business enterprise  that is not a Restricted
     Business as that term is  hereinafter defined in Section 7.1.

     2. Term.

     2.1  Employee's  term of employment  hereunder  shall commence as of May 1,
     2000 and shall continue through June 4, 2003,  unless sooner  terminated in
     accordance with this Agreement, at which time Employee's employment by the

<PAGE>

     Corporation shall terminate. The Employee's term of employment as defined
     in the immediately preceding sentence shall be referred to herein as the
     "Term."

     3. Compensation.

     3.1 The  Corporation  shall pay Employee  the amounts set forth below:

     (a) from  June 15,  2000  through  and  including  the  Transition  Date at
     the Employee's  current base salary rate ($10,576.92  bi-weekly);

     (b) from the Transition Date through and including June 4, 2003, total
     biweekly payments shall be  calculated as follows:  $475,421.00  divided by
     the number of pay periods  between the Transition  Date and June 4, 2003.
     From the Transition Date (if prior to April 30, 2001) through April 30,
     2001, $2,307.69 in each pay  period  shall  constitute  base  salary.
     From  May 1,  2001  (or  the Transition  Date, if later)until June 4, 2003,
     $461.54 in each pay period shall constitute base salary.  The remainder of
     each biweekly payment shall constitute a transition payment.

     3.2  Except  as  otherwise  set  forth  in  this  Section  3.2,  Employee's
     participation in all executive  compensation plans of the Corporation shall
     terminate as follows:

     3.2.1 Effective on the Transition  Date,  Employee's participation  in  the
     Executive  Annual  Incentive  Plan  ("EAIP")  shall terminate.  If the
     Transition  Date is later than  September 30, 2000, the Employee shall
     receive an additional lump sum payment equal to x/12 of the
<PAGE>

         participant's FY 2000 EAIP Target,  where "x" is equal to the number of
         whole or partial months after September 30, 2000, not to exceed 7. Such
         payment will be made as soon as practicable after the Transition Date.


         3.2.2 Effective immediately, Employee's  participation in the Executive
         Long Term Incentive Plan  ("ELTIP")  shall  terminate and the Employee
         shall receive  a  cash  payment  as  follows  (subject  to  approval
         by  the Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
         of the Corporation),  on the  basis  of the  April  30,  2000  share
         price of $17.4375, in lieu of the following shares of Class A stock:

          (a)  2334 shares with respect to fiscal year 1997:           $  40,699
          (b)  11824 shares with respect to fiscal year 1998:           $206,181
                                                                        --------
                                                         Total          $246,880

     Employee  shall receive no payments  under the ELTIP with respect to fiscal
     years 1999, 2000 or any subsequent years.

     3.2.3 Employee shall continue to participate in the  Supplemental Executive
     Retirement Plan ("SERP") until June 4, 2003.

     3.2.4  During  the Term  Employee  shall not be awarded  any
     additional  stock  under the 1991 Key  Employee  Stock  Option  Plan or the
     current Long Term Incentive Plan.  During the Term and thereafter,  options
     previously  awarded under the 1987 and 1991 Key Employee Stock Option Plans
     shall continue to vest and/or be forfeited in accordance  with their terms.

     3.2.5  Employee  shall  cease  making   contributions  under  the  Deferred
     Compensation  Plan on the Transition  Date.

     3.3 During the Term,  Employee shall be included to the extent  eligible
     under any and all plans providing enefits  generally for the  Corporation's
     employees,
<PAGE>

     including,   but  not   limited   to,   pension,   group  life   insurance,
     hospitalization,  medical and  disability  plans.  The Employee  shall also
     continue  to be  eligible  for the Senior  Executive  Physical  Examination
     program  during the term of this  Agreement  and, until April 30, 2001, for
     the  financial  planning  service  currently  provided  by Ayco  to  senior
     executives.  The Corporation  shall not be under any obligation to continue
     the existence of any executive  compensation or other employee benefit plan
     referred to in Section 3.2 or this Section  3.3.

     3.4 The  Employee  agrees that the Corporation shall withhold from any and
     all compensation  required to be paid to the Employee  pursuant to this
     Agreement all federal, state, local and/or other taxes which the
     Corporation  determines are required to be withheld in accordance with
     applicable  statutes and/or regulations from time to time in effect and all
     amounts required to be deducted in respect of the Employee's coverage under
     applicable  employee  benefit plans.

     4. Vacation.

     4.1 During the Term,  Employee  shall not be entitled to any paid vacation.
     Employee  shall be paid a lump sum  equal to the  value of any  earned  but
     unused vacation pay as of the Transition Date.

     5. Termination of Employment By Corporation.

     5.1 The Corporation  may terminate  Employee's  employment hereunder at any
     time for cause  without  further  obligation  or liability except as
     hereinbelow  stated in this  Section  5.1.  For purposes of this Agreement,
      the term "cause" shall be limited to the following grounds:

     5.1.1 Employee's refusal to substantially  perform his duties as reasonably
     required or otherwise fulfill his material obligations under this Agreement
     (for reasons other than death or disability),
<PAGE>
     in any such case after due  written  notice  thereof,  or  serious  willful
     misconduct in respect of his obligations  hereunder;
     5.1.2 Conviction of a felony crime;

     5.1.3  Perpetration  of a fraud against the  Corporation  or
     misappropriation of the Corporation's  property;  Habitual  intoxication or
     illegal  use of  habit  forming  substances;

     or 5.1.4  Knowingly  making a material false statement to the Corporation's
     Board  of  Directors  or management  regarding  the  affairs  of  the
     Corporation.   In  the  event Employee's  employment  is  terminated  for
     cause,  no further  payments of salary or benefits of any kind or nature
     (except to the extent  accrued to the date of termination) shall be paid to
     Employee, and Employee shall have no further claim against the Corporation
     under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise relating to his  employment.

     5.2 The  Corporation  shall not terminate Employee's employment hereunder
     without cause.

     5.3 As a condition to receiving any  transition  payments  pursuant to
     Section  3.1(b) of this Agreement,  Employee  agrees to execute a release
     of claims both
     (a) at the time he signs this Agreement and
     (b) promptly after expiration of the Term, each in the form attached hereto
     as Exhibit A. In the event the  Employee fails or refuses to sign a release
     of claims at the times specified in this Section 5.3 or either of such
     releases do no  become effective due to their revocation in accordance with
     their terms,  the Employee shall be obligated immediately to repay all
     transition payments paid to him by the Corporation pursuant to
     Section 3.1(b).

<PAGE>

     5.4 If Employee  voluntarily resigns, the Corporation shall have no further
     obligation to Employee except for salary and any other payments  accrued to
     the effective date of such resignation, and Employee's duties under Section
     1 shall cease hereunder  except as therwise  provided in Section 5.5 below.

     5.5 The Employee shall assist in the orderly  transfer of his authority and
     responsibility  as  Executive  Vice  President  of the  Corporation  to his
     successor.  In the event the Corporation  terminates  Employee's employment
     for  cause,  or in the event of  Employee's  voluntary  resignation,  if so
     requested by the Corporation, Employee shall assist in the orderly transfer
     of his then existing  authority and  responsibility  to his  successor.  6.
     Death or Disability.

     6.1 In the event of the death of Employee  during the term  of employment
     under this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate and all obligations to
     Employee shall cease as of the date of death except that
     a) the  Corporation  will pay to his  estate  the then  base  salary  under
     Section  3.1  until the end of the month in which  Employee  dies,
     (b) the Corporation  will pay to his estate all  transition  payments
     specified in Section 3.1(b),  and
     (c) the Corporation will honor any rights and benefits of  Employee  under
     the  benefit  plans  and  programs  of the  Corporation including,  without
     limitation,   the  SERP,  in  which  Employee  is  a participant,  as
     determined in accordance  with the terms and provisions of such  plans  and
     programs.  If the  Employee's  death  occurs  before  the  Transition Date,
     the payment provided in this Agreement under the ELTIP for fiscal  years
     1997 and 1998 shall be paid at the normal time to  Employee's  estate.

     6.2 In the event that  Employee  shall  become  entitled to salary
     continuation  payments under the Corporation's  Group Long-Term  Disability
     Insurance Plan or under any generally similar plan then in effect, the
<PAGE>
     Corporation  may, during the period covered by such payments at its option,
     cease all  payments to the Employee  under  Section 3.1  hereunder  without
     further  obligation or liability on the part of the  Corporation  under the
     terms of this Agreement.

     7. Restrictive  Covenant.

     7.1 In consideration of the Corporation entering into this  Agreement,
     Employee shall not,  directly or  indirectly,  for a period of 12 months
     after  termination  of such  employment  for any reason whatsoever, whethe
     because the term of employment has ended by its terms or otherwise  (unless
     compliance  herewith is excused  pursuant to Section 7.2), be  employed by,
     render   services  to  or   participate   in  the management,operation or
     control of, or serve as advisor or consultant to or otherwise become
     financially  interested in any business of the same nature as that now (or
     hereafter during the term of this Agreement)  carried on by the Corporation
     or any of its  subsidiaries (a "Restricted  Business"), it being understood
     that teaching  activities at educational  institutions are deemed not to
     constitute  engaging in a Restricted  Business.

     7.2 Should a Change of Control(as defined in the Corporation's Supplemental
     Employee Retirement  Plan) occur during the Term and should the  Employee
     terminate his  employment for "Good Reason" (as defined in said Plan)
     during the Term and within a period of 18 months  following  such  Change
     of  Control  such termination by Employee shall constitute a waiver by the
     Corporation of the restrictive  covenant set forth in Section 7.1 and
     Employee  shall have no further obligation to comply with its terms.

     7.3 Employee  acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any violation of
     the restrictive covenant set forth in Section 7.1, the Corporation shall be
     authorized and entitled to obtain from any court of competent  jurisdiction
     temporary, preliminary or
<PAGE>

     permanent  injunctive  relief  as well as an  equitable  accounting  of all
     profits or benefits  arising out of such  violation and any damages for the
     breach of this Agreement which may be applicable.  The aforesaid rights and
     remedies  shall be  independent,  severable and  cumulative and shall be in
     addition to any other  rights or remedies to which the  Corporation  may be
     entitled.

     7.4  The  restrictions  contained  in this  Section  7 are  intended  to be
     reasonable.  In the event that any restriction  contained herein is held by
     any court of  competent  jurisdiction  or  arbitrator  to be in any respect
     unreasonable,  the court so  holding  may limit the  territory  to which it
     pertains  or the period of time in which it  operates,  or affect any other
     change  to the  extent  necessary  to make it  enforceable.  The  remaining
     provisions shall not be affected,  but shall,  subject to the discretion of
     such  court,   remain  in  full  force  and  effect  and  any  invalid  and
     unenforceable  provision shall be deemed without further action on the part
     of the parties hereto modified, amended and limited to the extent necessary
     to render the same valid and enforceable to the maximum extent permissible.

     7.5  Employee  shall hold in a  fiduciary  capacity  for the benefit of the
     Corporation all confidential information, knowledge and data relating to or
     concerned with the Corporation's products,  operations, sales, business and
     affairs  which are  proprietary  and not readily  ascertainable  from trade
     sources or other  publicly  available  data,  and he shall not, at any time
     hereafter,  use,  disclose  or divulge any such  confidential  information,
     knowledge  or data to any  person,  firm or  corporation  other than to the
     Corporation,  its  subsidiaries or its designees or except as may otherwise
     be required in connection with the business and affairs of the Corporation.
     A breach of Employee's obligations hereunder shall entitle the
<PAGE>

     Corporation to seek injunctive or equitable  relief and/or damages from any
     court of competent  jurisdiction.

     7.6 Employee agrees not to disparage the Corporation  or any of its
     officers,  directors,  employees or agents.

     8. Change of Control Agreements.

     8.1 It is understood and agreed that none of the  benefits  accruing  to
     Employee  under the 1987 and 1991 Key  Employee Stock Option Plans or
     Supplemental  Employee Retirement Plan resulting from a "change of control"
     shall  derogate from the rights  granted to Employee under this  Agreement,
     and the rights  granted  to him  thereunder  shall, subject to the
     triggering  events thereof,  be  supplementary to and not in substitution
     for his rights hereunder.

     9. General.

     9.1 Subject to Section 7.2 and Section 8 hereof, this Agreement constitutes
     the entire agreement concerning Employee's  employment,  and no amendment
     or modification hereof shall be valid or binding  unless  made in writing
     and signed by the party against whom enforcement thereof is sought.

     9.2 The provisions of Section 7 hereof shall survive the termination or
     expiration of this  Agreement.

     9.3 Any notice required,  permitted, or desired to be given pursuant to any
     of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
     sufficiently given  or  served  for all  purposes  if  delivered in  person
     or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt  requested, postage
     and fees prepaid, as follows:
<PAGE>

                                    If to the Corporation, at:

                                    605 Third Avenue
                                    New York, New York 10158
                                    Attention:  William J. Pesce

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Richard S. Rudick, Esq.
                                    John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
                                    605 Third Avenue
                                    New York, New York 10158

                                    If to Employee, at:

                                    10 Forest Glen Drive
                                    Highland Park, New Jersey 08904

     Either of the  parties  hereto may at any time and from time to time change
     the address to which notices shall be sent hereunder by notice to the other
     party.

     9.4 No course of dealing or any delay on the part of the Corporation
     or Employee in exercising any rights hereunder shall operate as a waiver of
     any such rights. No waiver of any default or breach of this Agreement shall
     be deemed a continuing  waiver of any other  breach or default.  Nothing in
     this  Agreement  or in the release  attached as Exhibit A is intended to be
     nor shall be deemed an admission of liability by any party, or an admission
     of the existence of any facts upon which liability could be based.

     9.5 This Agreement  relates  to  services  to  be  performed   principally
     in,  and accordingly shall be governed, interpreted and construed in
     accordance with the laws of the State of New  York.  9.6 If any  provision
     or part of this Agreement shall be held or declared to be void,  invalid or
     illegal for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
     provision or part shall be  ineffective but shall not in any way invalidate
     or affect  any other provision or part of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
     9.7 This  Agreement,  and the  respective  rights  and  obligations  of the
     parties  hereunder,  shall  inure to the  benefit  of, and shall be binding
     upon, the  Corporation  and its  successors  and assigns.

     9.8 Should there arise any claim, dispute or controversy relating to this
     Agreement,  or the breach  thereof,  the parties shall use their best
     efforts and good will to settle such claim, dispute or controversy by
     amicable negotiations.  Except as provided in Sections 7.2 and 7.4, any
     such claim, dispute or controversy that  arises  between the parties
     relating to this  Agreement  that is not amicably settled shall be resolved
     by arbitration,  as follows.

     9.8.1 Any such  arbitration  shall be heard in New  York,  New  York,
     before a panel consisting  of one (1) to  three (3) arbitrators,  each of
     whom  shall be impartial. Except as the parties may otherwise agree, all
     arbitrators shall be appointed in the first  instance by the President of
     the  Association of the Bar of the City of New York or, in the event of his
     unavailability  by reason of  disqualification  or otherwise,  by the
     Chairman of the Employee Committee  of the  Association  of the  Bar of the
     City  of New  York.  In determining the number and appropriate  background
     of the arbitrators,  the appointing  authority shall give due consideration
     to the  issues to be resolved,  but his  decision  as to the  number  of
     arbitrators and their identity shall be final. Except as otherwise provided
     in this Section 9.8, or as the parties  may  otherwise  agree,  arbitration
     hereunder  shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration
     Association, as they then exist.

     9.8.2 An arbitration may be commenced by any party to this Agreement
     by the service of a written Request for Arbitration upon the other affected
     parties.  Such Request for  Arbitration  shall summarize the controversy or
     claim to be arbitrated, and

<PAGE>

     shall be referred by the complaining party to the appointing  authority for
     appointment  of  arbitrators  ten  (10)  days  following  such  service  or
     thereafter.  If the panel of arbitrators is not appointed by the appointing
     authority  within thirty (30) days following such reference,  any party may
     apply to any court  within  the  State of New York for an order  appointing
     arbitrators  qualified as set forth below. No Request for Arbitration shall
     be valid if it relates to a claim,  dispute,  disagreement  or  controversy
     that  would  have  been  time  barred  under  the  applicable   statute  of
     limitations  had such claim,  dispute or controversy  been submitted to the
     Supreme Court of the State of New York.

     9.8.3 All attorneys' fees and costs of the  arbitration  shall in the first
     instance be borne by the respective party  incurring  such costs and fees,
     but the  arbitrators  shall have the discretion to award costs and/or
     attorneys' fees as they deem  appropriate under the circumstances. In
     addition to the waiver set forth in Section 5.3 above,  the parties hereby
     expressly waive punitive damages, and under no circumstances shall an award
     contain any amount that in any way  reflects punitive  damages.

     9.8.4 Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be  entered  in
     any  court  having  jurisdiction  thereof.

     9.8.5 It is intended that claims,  disputes or  controversies  submitted to
     arbitration under this  Section 9.8 shall  remain  confidential,  and to
     that end it is agreed by the parties that neither the facts disclosed in
     the  arbitration, the issues arbitrated,  nor the views or opinions of any
     persons concerning them, shall be disclosed to third persons at any time,
     except to the extent necessary to enforce an award or judgment or

<PAGE>
     as required by law or in response to legal  process or in  connection  with
     such arbitration.  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this
     Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                               JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.


                              By: __________/s/__________________
                                  William J. Pesce
                                  President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 ______________/s/_________________
                                 Robert D. Wilder

                  (remainder of page intentionally left blank)



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT A


                                ROBERT D. WILDER
                          WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS


In consideration  of, and subject to, the payment to be made to me by John Wiley
& Sons, Inc. (the "Corporation") of the transition payments specified in Section
3.1(b) of the  Employment  Agreement  dated June 15,  2000,  I hereby  waive any
claims I may have for employment or re-employment  by the  Corporation,  and its
affiliated and subsidiary companies other than during the Term of the Employment
Agreement as defined therein,  and I further agree to and do release and forever
discharge the Corporation and its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their
respective past and present  officers,  directors,  shareholders,  employees and
agents from any and all claims and causes of action,  known or unknown,  arising
out of or relating to my employment with the Corporation, its parent, affiliated
and subsidiary companies, or the termination thereof, including, but not limited
to, wrongful discharge,  breach of contract, tort, fraud, the Civil Rights Acts,
Worker  Adjustment  and  Retraining  Notification  Act,  Age  Discrimination  in
Employment  Act,  Employee   Retirement  Income  Security  Act,  Americans  with
Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state or local legislation or common law
relating to employment or discrimination in employment or otherwise.



This  Release  does not  include  any claims  relating  to (i) earned but unpaid
salary owing for the period  through the effective  date of this  release;  (ii)
accrued and vested  benefits  payable under any  Corporation  pension plan under
which I am a  participant;  and (iii) subject to compliance  with Section 5.3 of
the  Employment  Agreement,  the  payment  of  any  payments  specified  in  the
Employment Agreement.



By signing  this  Waiver  and  Release of  Claims,  I  acknowledge  and agree as
follows:

(1) I have had the  opportunity  to consult with an attorney or other advisor of
my choice about this matter,  and have been advised by the  Corporation to do so
if I choose;



(2) the  transition  payments are greater  than any other  payment or benefit to
which I otherwise would have been legally  entitled after the Transition Date in
the absence of my execution of the Employment Agreement and this release;



(3) I have  signed  this Waiver and Release of Claims of my own free will and no
promises or  representations  have been made to me by any person to induce me to
do so other than the Employment Agreement dated June 15, 2000;



(4) I have been given  twenty-one  (21) days to review and consider  this Waiver
and Release of Claims; and



<PAGE>


(5) I may  revoke  this  Waiver  and  Release  of Claims  after  signing  it, by
delivering a written  revocation to the  Corporation's  Vice  President of Human
Resources no later than seven (7) days after the date I sign it as shown below.


                                                     -------------------------
                                                     Employee's Signature

                                                     -------------------------
                                                     Print Name

                                                    -------------------------
                                                     Date Signed




                  (remainder of page intentionally left blank)

<PAGE>

                                                           Exhibit - 10.25


            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT LETTER DATED AS OF JANUARY 16, 1997
                     BETWEEN TIMOTHY B. KING AND THE COMPANY


January 16, 1997


This  letter,  when signed by both of us,  will  confirm  our  understanding  as
follows regarding certain matters relating to your employment.

Your employment as a Senior Vice President of the Company is "at will",  and may
be  terminated  by the Company or by you at any time,  for any  reason,  subject
however to the provisions of this agreement.

If your  employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause as defined
below, you shall be entitled to severance as follows:

              Continuation  of base  salary  then in effect for 15 months  ("the
              Severance  Period")  from the date of  termination.  If during the
              Severance  Period  you  obtain  regular  employment,  you agree to
              promptly notify the Company,  and the payments due hereunder shall
              be reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of cash compensation in
              excess  of  $90,000  from such  employment  during  the  Severance
              Period.  If as a  result  of any  such  offset,  the  Company  has
              overpaid you, you agree to promptly reimburse the Company.

              Coverage during the Severance  Period (at the levels in effect for
              comparable  employees  from  time to time,)  under  the  following
              employee  benefit  plans or  provisions  for  comparable  benefits
              outside such plans, but only to the extent comparable  coverage is
              not  provided  by any new  employer:  (1) Group  Health  Insurance
              Program;  (2) Group Life and  Accidental  Death and  Dismemberment
              Insurance,  taking into  account any waiver of coverage  under the
              Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Plan  ("SERP")  in which  you
              participate.

Outplacement services, in accordance with the policy of the Company for senior
executives at the time of termination.

If within 18 months  following a "change of control" as defined in the SERP, you
are terminated by the Company other than for cause as defined below, or elect to
terminate your contract for "good reason" as defined in the SERP, in either case
you shall,  in  addition  to the amounts  specified  above,  be entitled to your
"target incentive amount" under the Executive Annual Incentive Plan ("EAIP") for
a  fiscal  year  ending  during  the  Severance  Period,  (and if not  otherwise
determined prior to termination,  for any prior fiscal year) and the same amount
(pro-rated to the end of the Severance  Period),  for the EAIP for a fiscal year
beginning  during the Severance  Period,  or the equivalent under any comparable
bonus or  variable  compensation  plan  which may  hereafter  be  adopted by the
Company in lieu of the EAIP.

You agree that the  payments  and  benefits  set forth  above  shall be full and
adequate compensation for all damages you may suffer as result of termination of
your employment.

If,  without  cause or your  consent,  or other than on account of disability as
defined in the Company's  programs,  your cash  compensation is reduced from the
current  levels  (other than as a result of targets not being met in any EAIP or
equivalent  program) and within 30 days  thereafter  you elect to terminate your
employment by written  notice,  or if you elect to terminate your employment for
"good reason" within 18 months  following a "change of control",  in either case
such termination  shall be treated as a termination by the Company without cause
for purposes of this agreement.

Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any rights or benefits  you may have under the
employment  and  benefit  plans and  programs  of the  Company  (other  than for
severance,  which shall be determined  hereunder),  including without limitation
the SERP shall be  determined in  accordance  with such plans and programs,  and
nothing  in this  agreement  shall  modify or  reduce  any  rights  you may have
resulting from a "change of control" as defined in the SERP.

For purposed of this agreement, "cause" shall be limited to:

              a  substantial  failure or refusal  to devote  your full  business
              time, and your knowledge and skills,  to the best of your ability,
              to the performance of you duties,  after notice by the Company, or
              serious willful misconduct relating to your duties and obligations
              as an employee.

              Conviction  of  a  crime,   perpetuation  of  a  fraud,   habitual
              intoxication  or  illegal  use  of  controlled  or  habit  forming
              substances,  or knowingly making a material false statement to the
              Company's board or management.

In consideration of your entering into this agreement, you agree that for period
of five months after  termination  of your  employment for any reason other than
termination by the Company without cause, or termination by you for "good reason
following a "change of control" as defined in the SERP, you will not directly or
indirectly be employed by, render services to, or participate in the management,
operation or control (as a consultant or  otherwise),  of a business of the same
nature as that carried on by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. You further
agree  that for one year after  termination  of your  employment  for any reason
(including termination by the company without cause) except for a termination by
the company,  or by your for "good reason within 18 months following a change of
control", you will not directly or indirectly solicit for employment or hire any
employee of the company, without our prior written consent.

Except as otherwise provided above, this is our entire agreement concerning your
employment,  and no  modification  shall be binding  unless it is in writing and
signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.  This agreement shall be
interpreted  and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,
without giving effect to its conflict of laws  provisions,  and shall be binding
upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns.

Please  sign  and  return  the  enclosed  copy of this  letter  to  confirm  our
agreement.


                                                     Sincerely,

                                                     JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.


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