Dimaggio: Setting the Record Straight

by Morris Engelberg and Marv Schneider

Book Overview

idely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Joe DiMaggio transcended sports and was a true American icon. Beyond his public life in a New York Yankee uniform and his glamorous... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760314829
• ISBN13: 9780760314821
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Motorbooks International
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable and Personable Account of Joe DiMaggio's Life

Had I read the readers' reviews of this book prior to reading the book itself, I might have passed it up and missed out on an exceptionally well-done, thoughtful and moving account of Joe DiMaggio's life (particurly the later years). Engelberg's biography of Joe is, of course (since he is telling the story of a man he knew intimately and worked with for over 25 years) also a look at the relationship between the two men; Sports Icon and shrewd businessman/lawyer/confidant. Too many of the little details about Joe ring true for me to doubt that the overall tenor of this book is not on the mark. I read this with a dual interest (being a long time Marilyn Monroe fan, as well as a fan of the Yankee Clipper), and the relationship between the two, which Engelberg recounts based on his own conversations and knowledge, rings true. Engelberg makes no attempt to hide his disdain of Joe's brother, Dom, nor of a few other folks that apparently there were conflicts with, particulary concerning memorabilia and what happened to Joe's World Series rings. This is no way detracted from the story itself. Setting the Record Straight takes on the task of doing that, at least from the viewpoint of someone who appears to have been a dear friend of DiMaggio's. While I am sure there are other agendas out there, particularly in the readers review section, those issues are beyond the scope of the book itself. I found this moving, sad at times, and altogether a sensitive and sympathetic view of Engelberg's hero, who became his friend as well. Other books may be better for biographic details, particularly of Joe D's playing years, but this book makes an effort to maintain the dignity that DiMaggio displayed his entire life, and rebuts and/or clarifies some incidents that were reported in other biographies.

Interesting and informative...

Mr. Engelberg took some shots in the Cremer book. Through the fine writing of Mr. Schneider, he "sets the record straight". In doing so, he doesn't candy-coat the lives of Mr. DiMaggio or the other charectors in the book (Monroe, Sinatra, JFK and RFK) and they all come out flawed.Nobody is perfect in this book except perhaps the ghost-writer who does a heck of a job writing this book in the first-person for Mr. Engelberg.

relationships explained

Setting the Record Straight accomplishes what it sets out to do.The relationships between his lawyer, family, son,grandchildren and the fans are carefully explained in this fine book just published.Mr. Schneider has taken the info and made it into a very readable book. The chapters on his grandchildren and son are very moving and helps explain the elusiveness of joe dimaggio.The answers are all there in this marvelous book.

DiMaggio: Setting the Record Straight

I grew up listening to Yankee radio and going to the stadium several times a year with the PAL (Police Athlete League). It was wonderful, decades later to learn so much about a major figure from my youth. It was poignant to understand there were shadows and disapointments in his life. The cheers, triumphs, and repect he experienced were not his total experience. I found "Setting rhe Record Straigt" a full, nuanced and honest story. Surprisingly, my sons, without any direct knowledge of the Yankee Clipper were thrilled to get inside his life. Now they understand the inclusion of "the great DiMaggio" in Hemingway's "Old Man and the Sea"

Not just a baseball book - A great book for all

I was so surprised to finally read a book that gave tremendous insight into the life of one of the greatest ball players ever. But I was more pleased that it is a great read about a great American. The details of Joe's life presented in this wonderful and compelling read are extraordinary. The detail, humorous asides, deep personal revalations and of course Marilyn make this book one of the best I have ever read. All baseball fans should read it. Yankee fans especially should read it. But people who just love a great true story should also read it even if they know nothing about baseball! Well done.