Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life

The Heros Life

By: Richard Ben Cramer

Narrated by: Richard Ben Cramer

In the hard-knuckled thirties, Joe DiMaggio was the immigrant boy who made it big. He was the dominant star in the New York Yankees dynasty. As World War II loomed, Joltin' Joe launched a fifty-six game hitting streak -- and the nation literally sang his name. In the age of postwar ease and plenty, he became Broadway Joe, the icon of elegance and class -- marrying Marilyn Monroe, the most beautiful girl in America.
In 1962, when he lost that girl for good, Joe was everyman embarking on a decade of national bereavement. Joe DiMaggio was a mirror of our best self, but he was also the loneliest hero we ever had. A nation of fans would give him anything, but what he wanted most was to hide the life he chose.
In this groundbreaking biography, Richard Ben Cramer presents a stunning, often shocking portrait of the hero nobody knew. It is a story that sweeps through the twentieth century, bringing to light America's national game, movie stars, mobsters, as well as the birth -- and the price -- of modern national celebrity.
This is the story Joe DiMaggio never wanted to tell. It is the story of his grace and greed, his dignity, pride and his hidden shame.©2000 Richard Ben Cramer, All Rights Reserved; (P)2000 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Life is hard

Good account of struggles everyone experiences in life and relationships. DiMaggio was loved by so many but died alone.

Good listen

I really did enjoy the listen. Have no doubt I will listen to this audiobook again.

A true American hero

Very interesting book. I have read just about everything on Joe D and this was a great take on his life. Very well done!

Joltin Joe

Richard Ben Cramer will always be known as the great political writer of What It Takes. It is, after all, the best piece of presidential political writing in America. Here he writes a brilliant biography of Joe DiMaggio which is both tender and enthralling. The true heroine here is Marilyn Monroe and makes one pine for Mailer's book/photo essay on her. One will miss the short, erudite oeuvre of Mr. Cramer.

The Yankee Clipper

I absolutely loved the book! One of the true baseball heroes. But behind what people saw on the diamond, he had his flaws away from the field. Very in depth about his relationship with Marilyn Monroe.