Joe Dimaggio - by Richard Ben Cramer (Paperback)

About the Book

From Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Cramer, here is the definitive story of Joe DiMaggio's life--from his first game with the Yankees through his rise to national hero status, and on to his lonely death last year. DiMaggio's complicated life befomes, too, the story of America's media machine, and the ways in which fame can both build and destroy. Photos.

Book Synopsis

Joe DiMaggio was, at every turn, one man we could look at who made us feel good.

In the hard-knuckled thirties, he was the immigrant boy who made it big--and spurred the New York Yankees to a new era of dynasty. He was Broadway Joe, the icon of elegance, the man who wooed and won Marilyn Monroe--the most beautiful girl America could dream up.

Joe DiMaggio was a mirror of our best self. And he was also the loneliest hero we ever had.

In this groundbreaking biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Richard Ben Cramer presents a shocking portrait of a complicated, enigmatic life. The story that DiMaggio never wanted told, tells of his grace--and greed; his dignity, pride--and hidden shame. It is a story that sweeps through the twentieth century, bringing to light not just America's national game, but the birth (and the price) of modern national celebrity.

Review Quotes

Daniel Okrent Time Absolutely persuasive...Cramer is an all-star reporter....DiMaggio is rendered so vividly you almost want to look away.

Ken Garcia San Francisco Chronicle An often brilliant and deeply disturbing look into the rise of one of the country's modern-day giants.

Larry King USA Today An extraordinary biography...This work will go down as one of the most definitive stories of a life and its times, sports or otherwise....You will not be disappointed.

Robert Lipsyte The New York Times The most absorbing and readable sports biography in recent memory.

About the Author

Richard Ben Cramer (1950-2013) won the Pulitzer Prize for Middle East reporting in 1979. His journalism has appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, and Rolling Stone. He was the author of How Israel Lost: The Four Questions and the classic of modern American politics What It Takes: The Way to the White House.