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The Legend of Mickey Tussler | 
 enlarge | Author: Frank Nappi
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $6.85
You Save: $18.10 (73%)
New (36) Used (9) from $6.85
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 317519
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0312381093
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780312381097
ASIN: 0312381093
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW HARDBACK BOOK AND DUST COVER, NEXT DAY SHIPPING, PADDED ENVELOPES
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Product Description
Seventeen-year-old Mickey Tussler is recruited to play for a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. Arthur Murphy swears Mickey has the greatest arm he has ever seen, that anybody has ever seen. And it might be true. But Mickey's autism is prohibitive. It keeps him sealed off from a world he scarcely understands. Lost both in the memory of his former life with an abusive father and the challenges of a new world filled with heckling teammates, opponents and fans, there's no way Mickey can succeed. But his inimitable talent -- one of the most gifted arms in the history of baseball -- gives him a chance. Can he survive a real life dream? Or are the harsh realities of life too much for him? This is the powerful underdog story of how a young man with an extraordinary gift comes of age in a harsh and competitive world.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
The fictional story of a person with autism before autism was recognized July 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Autism wasn't always known as Autism, or even diagnosed. Some people were just seen as slow. "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" is the fictional story of one of these people with autism before autism was recognized. In this tale, Arthur Murphy discovers Mickey Tussler, a ball player who might just save the Milwaukee Brewers from their abysmal record. Mickey, however, doesn't seem to be all there, and faces adversity from both his teammates and the fans in the stands. A touching story of finding one's dream even when the cards dealt to one are poor, "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" is highly recommended for community library literary fiction collections.
 A winning home run July 2, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Reviewed by Rachael Stein (age 15) for Reader Views (7/08)
Arthur Murphy is the coach and scout for the minor league Milwaukee Brewers. He used to be a baseball star before a collision with another player injured him and ruined his promising career. But he's also a good and caring man, which is why, when he meets odd Mickey Tussler, a hulking seventeen-year-old farm boy with an ability to throw very accurately, he is determined to help both of them by recruiting Mickey to pitch for the Brewers. Mickey has an arm like no one has seen, and his early successes on the field help him win over the hearts of his teammates and fans. But jealousy from an opposing team and even a disgruntled teammate stack the odds against Mickey, especially when Murph and Pee Wee, one of Mickey's closer teammates, aren't there to protect him. Mickey's situation is even more difficult because he suffers from autism, although this was before it had a name. The world of minor league baseball is a tough one, and Mickey and his team, the Brewers, are definite underdogs.
There is a colorful cast of characters presented in "The Legend of Mickey Tussler," which I found overwhelming at times. There were so many players and teams to remember that I often got confused, especially towards the beginning of the novel. However, as the story progressed, I got used to the most important characters. In a strange way, I felt I really got to know these characters even though I felt there wasn't much characterization. Most of the characters, especially Molly, Murph, and Mickey, were extremely likeable even through their faults, and I found myself sympathizing with them. I really would've loved for Mickey's character to have been more developed, because the story was mainly about him, but I found his characterization disappointingly lacking. Nevertheless, I found Mickey's character so admirable because he was able to survive and prevail against all the odds. Nappi does a good job of showing each character's flaws as well as positive attributes; it made the characters seem more human, which made the story all the more realistic.
Plot-wise, I had a few issues. Sometimes, I felt that there was just too much going on at once and so many subplots that they were rather hard to keep track of. And I also found the ending a little disappointing, but only because I would've liked the story to continue. And though I was disappointed, I did feel that the story ended with a perfect blend of sadness and hope. It's through the last few pages of the novel that you can really feel the book yelling to you to not give up.
The plot in "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" was never too action-packed except during the ballgames. I found that even with my limited baseball education, I was able to understand much of the terminology used in this novel. Since "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" focuses so much on baseball though, readers who aren't interested in this team sport may have a hard time maintaining their interest in the story. Even though I am not a devoted baseball fan, though, I really liked how baseball was so well-incorporated into this story.
It's kind of hard to explain what exactly in this novel made me like it so much. Despite some of the issues I had with the book, I truly enjoyed reading "The Legend of Mickey Tussler," by Frank Nappi, and thought it was well-written. I recommend this novel for the male audience or for any baseball fans. Mickey Tussler's difficult journey is sure to win over the hearts of many readers, as it did mine.
Touch 'em all! June 14, 2008
In a sea of baseball novels, this book is not just a home run, it's a Grand Slam!
As a father of two handicapped sons playing in the Little League Challenger Baseball program, The Legend of Mickey Tussler connected with me in ways you can't possibly imagine. However, any ardent follower of America's Pastime will find this book to be an engaging, pleasurable read.
Author Frank Nappi has such wonderful command of the English vocabulary and utilizes his lexis like a venerable college professor.
Although this book is written as a novel, it is entirely possible that this scenario could one day play itself out. And I'd like to believe that in today's handicapped-sensitive society, Mickey Tussler might enjoy a happier ending.
Fantastic Book! June 11, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
While reading The Legends of Mickey Tussler I never wanted to put it down. It's one of those books that you need to know whats going to happen to the characters, or what is going to happen next. Nappi's story about how a 17 year old with autism is brought into the game of baseball is exciting, but a little sad at times. Just picturing how this boy is able to pitch the way he does is incredible. I am not a big fan of baseball, but this story made me more interested in the sport by the end of the book. As I was reading the book I was able picture what was happening with Mickey on and off the baseball field. By the end of the story made me want to read more, and keep following Mickey's story. This is definately a great book, and everyone should read it at some point.
-Shannon Cooke (or Shannona)
Baseball is a lot like life...... June 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Frank Nappi has been able to create this masterpiece not only because he is a lover of baseball, but because of his love of life. Frank, in my opinion is a man among men because he has dedicated his life to serving others. As an educator, coach, father, and loving husband, he addresses life with a certain look in his eyes as if he has a secret unbeknown to the rest of the world. Frank and I have kicked the same dirt from beneath our spikes, and I have learned a great deal about his secret. Behind those eyes is a man that remains a student in life, despite his wealth of experience, strength, and hope, which he shares unselfishly with the rest of the world.
Mickey Tussler is in all of our lives in some way, shape, or form. For some of us, he is close to home; perhaps our brother or sister. Mickey's disability, while challenging in some ways, reveals genius in others. Baseball to me, and I believe Frank will agree, is as pure as life itself. On the field of dreams is where boys become men. It is also where men become boys. Baseball teaches us how to interact with others, and how to deal with life on life's terms. Frank has been able to create a platform that reveals the underdog, the challenge, the obstacle, and the near impossible. Most inspiring to me was Frank's ability to also reveal the human spirit, undying love, determination, and the uphill battle that reveals the heart of a lion.
Baseball, like life, is full of up's and down's. We all have our cross to bear. In baseball, statistics are tracked unlike any other sport. Failures are as critically documented as are our successes. If we accepted life as we do baseball, we would learn that it is o.k. to give a great effort and fail, because the glory resides in the heart of a champion, and not on a scoreboard some 400 feet down the left field line. Life may often seem unfair, which drives us to the extreme in our perception of a job well done. Sometimes in life the only thing that seems fair is a ball hit between first and third.
Frank has revealed a dynamic to the expression of baseball in how it relates to life. Mickey Tussler is not just a young man in a book. He is the heart of Frank Nappi. I implore you to read about Mickey, and in the process you will find Frank. Perhaps you will find yourself, as you read not only page by page, but deeply inbred is the message we should live our life by. Frank Nappi is a champion who chooses to make his mark in this world by delivering a message that will live long after he is gone. Like Mickey, you will remember him always.
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