A review by davygibbs
The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood by Jane Leavy

5.0

I was never particularly drawn to Mickey Mantle personally, but it's hard to argue what he means to the game. More than any other player of the Boomer era, he represents the sport -- there is something so undeniably American about his life and personality (in both the good and the regrettable ways). That's the reason I thought reading a biography of him might scratch the spring baseball itch this year and a little bit of research brought me to this title -- if not the consensus "best Mantle bio" then awfully close to it. And it's hard to argue. The Last Boy is certainly one of the very best baseball books I've ever read -- in the conversation for best, period -- one of the best biographies I've ever read too. Leavy writes with passion, talent, and nostalgia, and wide open eyes. It's hard to imagine the Mick's story being done more justice than it is here. Highly recommended.