Say It Ain't So, Joe!: The True Story of Shoeless Joe Jackson [Paperback]

Donald Gropman (Author), Alan M. Dershowitz (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2000

This immensely readable biography tells the story of Shoeless Joe Jackson, generally considered baseball's greatest natural hitter ever--but who was implicated in the most notorious sports scandal in American history. of photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; 2 edition (June 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806521155
• ISBN-13: 978-0806521152
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Shoeless" Joe Jackson Belongs in the Hall of Fame, February 12, 2004

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Say It Ain't So, Joe!: The True Story of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Paperback)

Donald Gropman is the leading historian on the life of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. In his revised edition of the book, Gropman gives an objetive look at the life of Joe Jackson, including the scandal that ended his career. Gropman's argument leaves little doubt that this legend belongs in the baseball hall of fame. Quite simply, the hall of fame is incomplete without him.

The other members of the Black Sox sought to add Jackson to the fix. Jackson never committed. Jackson even went so far as to tell Sox owner Charles Comiskey and attempted to sit out the World Series to demonstrate his innocence. These actions which would have exonerated him were rejected. Comiskey just felt Jackson was hearing rumors. When the scandal hit full force, Comiskey tried to save his players. Unfortunately, Comiskey's lawyer was only interested in saving Comiskey, not the players. The great tragedy is that Comiskey, depite his Richard Nixon-like tactics, is in the hall of fame while "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is not.

Gropman lays out a tremendous amount of evidence that supports Jackson's innocence. Despite this mountain of evidence and growing support for Joe Jackson's reinstatement, baseball's commissioners have largely ignored the case for Joe Jackson.

This book sets the standard for "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's life as well as the case for his reinstatement into baseball and his induction into the hall of fame. With the additions of transcripts, letters, and other pieces of evidence, this book is more than worth its price. Gropman also provides information for joining the Shoeless Joe Jackson Society and fighting to clear his name. I would encourage you to join.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biography, May 25, 2003

By 

Robert Rosen (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Say It Ain't So, Joe!: The True Story of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Paperback)

Mnay biographies focus on human interest rather than factual information. This is not one of those. This book is meticulously researched and presents all the facts Mr. Gropman came across. The reader can make his or her own conclusion based on the facts the author presents, but the facts will probably lead the reader to conclude that Joe Jackson was not involved in the Black Sox scandal that nearly ruined baseball.

Mr. Gropman clearly demonstrates what many authors are unable to do: the ability to present an opinion based on fact, rather than speculation. I was impressed with this book because it provided me with much information on Joe Jackson's life, particularly on whether he was or wasn't involved in the scandal. The facts lead to the conclusion, not the other way around, and I like that. Baseball fans interested in the history of the game should read this book. They will enjoy it.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sugar Coated Carolina Confection..., July 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Say It Ain't So, Joe!: The True Story of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Paperback)

Donald Gropman researched this book with a great deal of care. Afterall, we are talking about a truly gifted and loved baseball hero (to some, me included). The facts are undeniable and we likely will never know the actual truth about Shoeless Joe's (he never liked being called that) involvement in the Black Sox Scandal. I had a very difficult time accepting Gropman's sugar coating of Jackson and his involvement, and supposed guilt. The fact remains, he was involved! He took the money! He played the games! He told no one! He paid the price! As sad as all of this is, including the servere harshness in which he was dealt with, it had to be done. I just wish that Gropman made Commiskey out to be more than he wrote. Commiskey was the devil himself. It should be Commiskey that should be removed from the Hall of Fame for the disgrace that he was from day one in organized baseball. Jackson was just a poor, illiterate dupe that only wanted to play ball and make a reasonable living too. I expected more and got less from this book. I am no further enriched than I was before. Joe Jackson is still my hero, but I'm still looking for answers. Anthony DeMedeiros, Toronto, Ontario