The Last Hero: The Life of Mickey Mantle

by David Falkner

Book Overview

David Falkner examines Mickey Charles Mantle from several perspectives in this biography of one of America's most famous baseball players. From his days as a boy in the mining towns of Oklahoma to his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684814242
• ISBN13: 9780684814247
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Good

This is the first book I've read about Mickey Mantle and its a very good read. There are some very moving stories about the twilight years of Mickey's career and the respect and reverence felt for him by opposing teams. One act of respect - no bunting on Mickey because of his bad knees. And one opposing team pitcher deliberately threw Mickey a home run pitch just to see him hit it out of the park.This book goes back to Mickey's childhood, and how his father would come home after working all day in the mines, go out back with Mickey and neighborhood friends and play baseball until dark. Mickey was right-handed, but his father would make him hit left-handed to teach him how to be a switch hitter (which Mickey hated having to do at the time).This book is full of interesting stories and antedotes about Mickey's life. One thing this book did not answer for me that I have questions about: Mickey lived with another woman the last 10 years of his life, but never divorced Merlyn, his first and only wife. Why did he never divorce and remarry this woman? Why did he stay married to Merlyn? What were the reasons that Merlyn never left, or Mickey didn't?All in all, a great book if you are wanting to learn more about Mickey Mantle.

Mickey Mantle

In this book you see all the struggles this young star goes through at an early age and all through his career. You get a look at what he was dealing with everyday as an american sports hero. This book makes Mantle appear as if he starts out as an average sports star all over the limelight. But shows more of what a monster he became as his career and life progressed. Mantle was truly a national hero and this novel spotlights the qualities Mickey possesed to fully fit the part the people saw him playing. From his small life as a young boy to the big life in New York, playing for the Yankees. This book is one of the quality works of Author David Falkner. As a sports fan and an athlete i admired the life of Mickey Mantle because of the way he presented himself during all events. He was humble and seemed as if he would not harm even a pestering fly. It is my believe that to truly appreciate this book, you must first realize the grasp sports had on our culture and what athletes face while in the spotlight, after seeing that you must read this book as if you had never read a biography on a person living a perfect live, because Mantle was unable to do this. At that point you will be able to read this book and totally understand what the author and Mickey wanted to relay through writing it. In conclusion this book is one of the best books i have ever read and a must for all sports fans and followers.

It was a book that described a wonderful baseball player.

The Last Hero the book about Mickey Mantle was on of the better books that I have read about Mickey. I like the way it talks about childhood days, and how he progressed through his years of baseball. Actually I thought the book was a little touching, it touched my heart. I just wish Mick would have taken better care of himself or he just might be alive today. Now I'am only 18yrs old so I never did get to see Mickey Mantle play baseball, but I have read many of the books about him, and just from reading different books on him I have realized that he was a true baseball player. Since the first time I heard about Mickey he has been my hero and will always be my hero no matter what any one says about him. To me Mickey is the best ballplayer ever the play the simple of baseball.

The Best Book on The Mick

The book is chock full of original research on Mickey's childhood. You understand his immortal line, "If I knew I would have lived this long, I would have taken better care of myself." Falkner, rather than rehash old stories, talks with Mickey's teammates and unearths new gems. It is shame the world has lost this giant.