Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory

(Book summary from back cover)

The most comprehensive account of Mickey Mantle's early years ever written!  Never-before-seen glimpses into the life of a fun-loving kid honing his skills on his way to the big show - including Mantle family history, scenes from Mickey's hardscrabble but loving childhood, and stories from his formative baseball years with Midwest minor league teams as told through the voices of his former teammates on the Baxter Springs Whiz Kids, the Independence Yankees, and the Joplin Miners.

"For those of you who idolized my husband as a baseball player, I highly recommend this book.  Through these pages you will see what shaped Mickey into becoming the hero of millions.  This is truly the best account of the early life of my husband.  I trust that you will enjoy Mickey Mantle: Before the Glory as much as I have."

- Merlyn Mantle