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Mickey Mantle: America's Prodigal Son
What The New York Times praised as the definitive biography of baseball and pop culture icon Mickey Mantle by the acclaimed Sports Illustrated writer who knew The Mick personally, played golf with him often and has authored a celebrated Mickey Mantle Trilogy that includes DiMag & Mick and The Best That Ever Was.
Historian and best-selling author Tony Castro explores the life of the great cultural icon baseball slugger against a 20th century backdrop of America's romance with boldness, its celebration of muscle, and its comfort in power during a time when might did make right. But if Mantle symbolized the great expectations of America in the 1950s, it also epitomized the dashed dreams of a troubled generation in the 1960s and its unrealistic hopes for achievement. Mickey America's Prodigal Son is both an explosive biography of one of the world's most fascinating and enduring sports heroes and a telling look at the American society of his time. During six years of research, Tony Castro interviewed more than 500 friends, teammates, lovers, acquaintances, and drinking buddies of one of America's most famous sports heroes.
Historian and best-selling author Tony Castro explores the life of the great cultural icon baseball slugger against a 20th century backdrop of America's romance with boldness, its celebration of muscle, and its comfort in power during a time when might did make right. But if Mantle symbolized the great expectations of America in the 1950s, it also epitomized the dashed dreams of a troubled generation in the 1960s and its unrealistic hopes for achievement. Mickey America's Prodigal Son is both an explosive biography of one of the world's most fascinating and enduring sports heroes and a telling look at the American society of his time. During six years of research, Tony Castro interviewed more than 500 friends, teammates, lovers, acquaintances, and drinking buddies of one of America's most famous sports heroes.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2002
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51 people want to read
About the author
Tony Castro
9 books24 followersTONY CASTRO is a Harvard and Baylor University-educated historian, Napoleon Bonaparte scholar and the author of the landmark civil rights history "Chicano Power," which Publishers Weekly acclaimed as “brilliant… a valuable contribution to the understanding of our time.”
Tony's latest book, "The Book of Marilyn," is a "thriller about the hunt for Marilyn Monroe’s lost diary—holding secrets that could rewrite history, topple power, and cost lives. Some truths are too dangerous to survive."
From its Amazon.com listing:
HOLLYWOOD’S GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL • Late one fateful night in 1978, Los Angeles prize-winning journalist Alex De La Cruz finds himself face-to-face with the story of a lifetime. Standing on his doorstep is Josie Clémenceau, a mysterious middle-aged woman whose timeless beauty evokes the golden age of Hollywood—but her eyes speak of shadows and secrets long buried. In her hands is a discovery that could rewrite history: Marilyn Monroe’s lost diary.
“Blockbuster mastery at its best… A gleefully explosive novel impossible to put down.” — LAMonthly.org
“An ingenious, pulse-quickening Hollywood-political suspense thriller.” — The Angeleno
What begins as a memoir of a movie star’s dazzling life quickly takes a darker turn. Hidden within the diary’s pages are revelations that shatter the mythos of America’s past. Marilyn Monroe, it turns out, had unwittingly stumbled upon a web of conspiracy tying the Mafia, anti-Castro operatives, and rogue CIA agents to one of the 20th century’s most infamous events: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Before she could reveal what she knew, Marilyn was silenced.
Now, Alex and Josie are plunged into a high-stakes race to uncover the truth. But powerful forces—spanning the worlds of politics, organized crime, and Hollywood’s elite—will stop at nothing to keep the diary’s secrets buried. What begins as an investigation spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every step closer to the truth puts Alex and Josie in greater peril.
As the lines between past and present blur, Alex discovers that Josie’s connection to Marilyn Monroe might be far deeper—and more dangerous—than she’s revealed. The diary isn’t just a link to history; it’s a ticking time bomb that could expose decades of corruption and deceit.
With whip-smart dialogue, relentless suspense, and a plot that unfurls like a tightly wound thriller, The Book of Marilyn is more than a conspiracy novel—it’s a brilliant reinvention of the genre. Part Hollywood noir, part political intrigue, and wholly captivating, this is a heart-pounding tale of secrets, power, and the unyielding search for truth.
Get ready for a novel that will leave you breathless until its final, unforgettable twist.
As a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, Tony studied under Homeric scholar and translator Robert Fitzgerald, Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz, and French history scholar Laurence Wylie. While at Harvard, he was a regular lecturer at the JFK Institute of Politics.
He is also a popular public speaker known for his wit and humor. He most recently lectured at his alma mater, Baylor University, on The Religion of Sports: From Michelangelo to Derek Jeter.
Tony lives in Los Angeles with his wife Renee LaSalle and Jeter, their black Labrador retriever. Their two grown sons, Trey and Ryan, and their families also reside in Southern California.
Tony's latest book, "The Book of Marilyn," is a "thriller about the hunt for Marilyn Monroe’s lost diary—holding secrets that could rewrite history, topple power, and cost lives. Some truths are too dangerous to survive."
From its Amazon.com listing:
HOLLYWOOD’S GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL • Late one fateful night in 1978, Los Angeles prize-winning journalist Alex De La Cruz finds himself face-to-face with the story of a lifetime. Standing on his doorstep is Josie Clémenceau, a mysterious middle-aged woman whose timeless beauty evokes the golden age of Hollywood—but her eyes speak of shadows and secrets long buried. In her hands is a discovery that could rewrite history: Marilyn Monroe’s lost diary.
“Blockbuster mastery at its best… A gleefully explosive novel impossible to put down.” — LAMonthly.org
“An ingenious, pulse-quickening Hollywood-political suspense thriller.” — The Angeleno
What begins as a memoir of a movie star’s dazzling life quickly takes a darker turn. Hidden within the diary’s pages are revelations that shatter the mythos of America’s past. Marilyn Monroe, it turns out, had unwittingly stumbled upon a web of conspiracy tying the Mafia, anti-Castro operatives, and rogue CIA agents to one of the 20th century’s most infamous events: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Before she could reveal what she knew, Marilyn was silenced.
Now, Alex and Josie are plunged into a high-stakes race to uncover the truth. But powerful forces—spanning the worlds of politics, organized crime, and Hollywood’s elite—will stop at nothing to keep the diary’s secrets buried. What begins as an investigation spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every step closer to the truth puts Alex and Josie in greater peril.
As the lines between past and present blur, Alex discovers that Josie’s connection to Marilyn Monroe might be far deeper—and more dangerous—than she’s revealed. The diary isn’t just a link to history; it’s a ticking time bomb that could expose decades of corruption and deceit.
With whip-smart dialogue, relentless suspense, and a plot that unfurls like a tightly wound thriller, The Book of Marilyn is more than a conspiracy novel—it’s a brilliant reinvention of the genre. Part Hollywood noir, part political intrigue, and wholly captivating, this is a heart-pounding tale of secrets, power, and the unyielding search for truth.
Get ready for a novel that will leave you breathless until its final, unforgettable twist.
As a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, Tony studied under Homeric scholar and translator Robert Fitzgerald, Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz, and French history scholar Laurence Wylie. While at Harvard, he was a regular lecturer at the JFK Institute of Politics.
He is also a popular public speaker known for his wit and humor. He most recently lectured at his alma mater, Baylor University, on The Religion of Sports: From Michelangelo to Derek Jeter.
Tony lives in Los Angeles with his wife Renee LaSalle and Jeter, their black Labrador retriever. Their two grown sons, Trey and Ryan, and their families also reside in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 2, 2023
Somewhere I read or heard erroneously that Tony Castro was a flag-waving Mickey Mantle fan and any story about the complexities of Mantle would be one-sided. What I heard was wrong.
Castro has put together a very fair look at Mantle, the American hero on the field and the sometimes louse off of it. Baseball fans probably know much of Mantle's stories: The bedwetting at an early age, the adoration of his father, the shyness early on and then the crude character that he became, especially oiled with alcohol. Jane Leavy writes about that in her book "The Last Boy."
But Castro has put this together in an excellent read that looks at the evolution of Mantle through the years. There's his first year in 1951 when he was heir-apparent to Joe DiMaggio in the Yankees outfield. There's 1956, his amazing season of winning the Triple Crown of batting. There are World Series games, slumps, the 1961 season in which he and Roger Maris pursued Babe Ruth's season home run record. And there's the aftermath of his retirement when his drinking worsened.
Castro does not hide anything. He mentions the affairs Mantle had and how he treated his wife, Merlyn, poorly. But he also shows the humbleness and humility of Mantle. The last portion of this book is very well done and emotional, showing Mantle's awareness and acceptance that he didn't have much time to live. "If I knew I'd be this old, I'd have taken better care of myself," Mantle says.
Castro also touches on the controversy of how quickly Mantle got his liver transplant. I remember when that was occurring and the comments that most people wait months for a transplant. Mantle had to wait less than a week and his celebrity status was wondered as a factor for the speedy procedure. I think Castro does an excellent job describing the surgery and the fallout from those critical of it all.
As baseball season is nearing, this is a great book to read in preparation for it, reading about a time when baseball was more real. I'm only sorry that our local library never got his book "Mantle and Maris," because I'm sure that would be a fantastic read as well.
Castro has put together a very fair look at Mantle, the American hero on the field and the sometimes louse off of it. Baseball fans probably know much of Mantle's stories: The bedwetting at an early age, the adoration of his father, the shyness early on and then the crude character that he became, especially oiled with alcohol. Jane Leavy writes about that in her book "The Last Boy."
But Castro has put this together in an excellent read that looks at the evolution of Mantle through the years. There's his first year in 1951 when he was heir-apparent to Joe DiMaggio in the Yankees outfield. There's 1956, his amazing season of winning the Triple Crown of batting. There are World Series games, slumps, the 1961 season in which he and Roger Maris pursued Babe Ruth's season home run record. And there's the aftermath of his retirement when his drinking worsened.
Castro does not hide anything. He mentions the affairs Mantle had and how he treated his wife, Merlyn, poorly. But he also shows the humbleness and humility of Mantle. The last portion of this book is very well done and emotional, showing Mantle's awareness and acceptance that he didn't have much time to live. "If I knew I'd be this old, I'd have taken better care of myself," Mantle says.
Castro also touches on the controversy of how quickly Mantle got his liver transplant. I remember when that was occurring and the comments that most people wait months for a transplant. Mantle had to wait less than a week and his celebrity status was wondered as a factor for the speedy procedure. I think Castro does an excellent job describing the surgery and the fallout from those critical of it all.
As baseball season is nearing, this is a great book to read in preparation for it, reading about a time when baseball was more real. I'm only sorry that our local library never got his book "Mantle and Maris," because I'm sure that would be a fantastic read as well.
August 18, 2025
excellent book but extremely sad
January 23, 2011
Mickey Mantle is a real lesson in legacy, baseball, and the human condition.
Mickey Mantle as legacy, is fascinating. In terms of baseball, he had all the tools to be the greatest baseball player who ever lived. He had wheels like Ichiro and power like McGwire. He was charismatic and funny. More than anything, Mantle benefited from an America who glorified him at the time of the advent of national television, when personal lives of public figures were still off limits. Kids idolized him, unknowing of his horribly abusive family life, and alcoholism.
Who wouldn't? He was charming and a God on the field. He won the Triple Crown in 1956, and belted 536 career home-runs (372 left, 164 right). This is the guy known for creating the tape-measure home-run. He hit balls regularly out of stadiums. He was MVP three times, played his entire career in the New York pinstripes and led the Yankees to 7 World Series championships.
The story of his career and life is rich and heartbreaking. While a good biography is an important read from time to time, this may not be the one for you unless you are a baseball fan. Let's face it, there are presidents and spiritual leaders to contend with in this category. That being said, Mickey Mantle is a national treasure if you are interested in Americana, the pop culture, and the societal trends of a relatively young nation.
Mickey Mantle as legacy, is fascinating. In terms of baseball, he had all the tools to be the greatest baseball player who ever lived. He had wheels like Ichiro and power like McGwire. He was charismatic and funny. More than anything, Mantle benefited from an America who glorified him at the time of the advent of national television, when personal lives of public figures were still off limits. Kids idolized him, unknowing of his horribly abusive family life, and alcoholism.
Who wouldn't? He was charming and a God on the field. He won the Triple Crown in 1956, and belted 536 career home-runs (372 left, 164 right). This is the guy known for creating the tape-measure home-run. He hit balls regularly out of stadiums. He was MVP three times, played his entire career in the New York pinstripes and led the Yankees to 7 World Series championships.
The story of his career and life is rich and heartbreaking. While a good biography is an important read from time to time, this may not be the one for you unless you are a baseball fan. Let's face it, there are presidents and spiritual leaders to contend with in this category. That being said, Mickey Mantle is a national treasure if you are interested in Americana, the pop culture, and the societal trends of a relatively young nation.
March 1, 2014
I have read a lot of books about my childhood hero, Mickey Mantle. None so effectively captures the complexity of Mantle as a person--a fallen hero, a flawed parent and spouse but a brutally honest "brother" at the end. Castro's book is heartfelt, meticulous, readable and rich...he treats his subject with honesty, candor and respect. Ultimately, it transcends it's subject to become an eloquent meditation on fathers and sons and myth and memory.
August 6, 2015
The book itself was a 5. However, the Kindle edition had a bunch of spacing issues, particularly in the second half. Most of them were obvious, but a lot of times, it changed two words into two different words. There was a part near the end where the spacing issue completely changed the meaning of something during a sad part. I had to reread it half a dozen times to realize there was an error.
August 31, 2009
Although I know Mickey Mantle's story pretty well, having been a die hard fan of his, this book is the best biography I've read. The author interviewed hundreds of people, and is a very astute author. Fascinating details, and ultimately a tragic story about a tremendous athlete.
September 16, 2009
that for later
May 19, 2012
I'll just say what The New York Times said: The Best Mickey Mantle book ever written.
October 9, 2014
Good read. Surprisingly challenging and very in depth. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves sports and history.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews