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If I Did It

If I Did It is a controversial true crime book associated with O.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

If I Did It is a controversial true crime book associated with O. J. Simpson and ghostwriter Pablo Fenjves. The book presents a hypothetical account of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Originally announced in 2006, it was canceled after public backlash, then published in 2007 in a revised edition that credited the Goldman family as authors.

Background

If I Did It was announced in 2006 as a book by O. J. Simpson describing, in hypothetical terms, how the 1994 murders might have occurred. The project drew immediate public criticism because Simpson had previously been acquitted in criminal court and later held liable in civil court for the deaths.

Publication history

The initial publication plan was canceled after backlash, but the manuscript had already been printed in large numbers and leaked online. In 2007, Beaufort Books released a revised edition and directed profits to the Goldman family.

Content and framing

The book frames its account as hypothetical, but it is based on extensive discussions between Simpson and Fenjves according to Fenjves. Its description of the murders made it widely interpreted as a quasi-confession.

Reception

The book attracted intense media attention and criticism because of its subject matter and Simpson's central role in one of the most widely followed criminal cases in U.S. history. It is commonly discussed in true crime coverage as a highly controversial publication.

Key facts

  • The book is presented as a hypothetical account of the 1994 killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
  • O. J. Simpson was the named author, with Pablo Fenjves credited as ghostwriter.
  • The original release was canceled shortly after its announcement in 2006, but physical copies had already been printed.
  • A revised edition was later published in 2007 by Beaufort Books, with proceeds going to the Goldman family.
  • The book became widely known as one of the most controversial true crime publications in the United States.
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Canadian context

The book is part of internationally followed true crime publishing and is known to Canadian readers primarily through coverage of the O. J. Simpson case and its media aftermath.

Frequently asked questions

What is If I Did It?
It is a true crime book associated with O. J. Simpson that gives a hypothetical account of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Who wrote If I Did It?
The book is credited to O. J. Simpson and ghostwriter Pablo Fenjves.
Was If I Did It originally published in 2006?
No. It was announced in 2006, then canceled, and a published edition appeared in 2007.
Who published the later edition?
Beaufort Books published the 2007 edition, with profits going to the Goldman family.
Why is the book controversial?
It is controversial because it presents a hypothetical account of murders for which Simpson was acquitted criminally but later found liable in civil court.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Did_It:_Confessions_of_the_Killer
    Supports: Authorship, subject matter, original cancellation, and printing details.
  2. Famous Trials — https://famous-trials.com/simpson/1858-ifididit
    Supports: Publication history, 2007 Beaufort Books edition, and proceeds to the Goldman family.
  3. Goodreads — https://goodreads.com/book/show/1797248.If_I_Did_It_Confessions_of_the_Killer
    Supports: Book premise and subject matter.
  4. Target — https://www.target.com/p/if-i-did-it-by-the-goldman-family-o-j-simpson-paperback/-/A-1003740054
    Supports: Genre classification as true crime and murder-related subject.