DiMaggio

Written by a longtime NEW YORK TIMES sportswriter, this biography chronicles the life of one of America's most splendid athletes, the baseball player Hemingway called simply, "the great DiMaggio." Richard M. Davidson is an engaging reader, and his delivery is suitably conversational. He manages to convey excitement without lapsing into histrionics. He knows he has interesting material: DiMaggio's storied career with the Yankees, his celebrated romance with Marilyn Monroe and his long retirement, during which he has achieved nearly mythological status. The book ultimately fails to pierce DiMaggio's famous reserve, but Davidson makes you feel you've viewed greatness from very close by. M.O. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine