JOE DIMAGGIO The Hero's Life

Star of the American pastime, lover of beautiful women, legend of our culture, Joe DiMaggio was far less a hero in real life than in his own imagination and those of his fans. Richard Ben Cramer, narrating his own work, tells the story behind the spin, uncovering the truths behind the testaments published throughout the ball player's life. Cramer speaks in the same clipped, unemotional manner in which he writes. His dry delivery lends no romance to the biography, and his smoky, slightly sibilant voice carries overtones of the blue-collar Yankee fans who followed DiMaggio's career. From time to time, Cramer allows a hint of amusement or disgust to flavor his performance, but overall he maintains an air of journalistic detachment suited to his text. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]