Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life

Richard Ben Cramer

ene 2013 · Simon and Schuster

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“The most absorbing and readable sports biography in recent memory” from the Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter and author (Robert Lipsyte, The New York Times).

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.

“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.” —Larry King, USA Today

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

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

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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 is 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.