The Legend of Mickey Tussler

by Frank Nappi

Book Overview

In the late 1940s, the minor league Milwaukee Brewers are foundering yet again and manager Arthur Murphy is desperate. When he sees seventeen-year old Mickey Tussler throwing apples into a barrel, he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1616086580
• ISBN13: 9781616086589
• Release Date: April 2012
• Publisher: Sky Pony
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Terrific! Timely! Tense! Awesome author!

I've been a huge fan of author Frank Nappi ever since I read his inspiring, heart-breaking debut novel Echoes from the Infantry: A Novel," a WWII story of a young soldier who returned from the war a changed man. Nappi wrote about the soldier's post-war family life and his relationship with his wife and son. It moved me deeply and was my favorite debut novel of 2005. When I reviewed Nappi's "Echoes," I predicted he would be a "force to be reckoned with in the literary field," and in writing another brilliant novel he is proving me right. I was delighted to learn that Nappi had written another powerful novel,The Legend of Mickey Tussler, and couldn't wait to read it. This is another masterpiece, the story of Arthur Murphy, manager of a local baseball team, and Mickey Tussler, an autistic seventeen-year-old boy with a "fearsome fast-ball." When Murph signs the boy for his team, he soon realizes, as another reviewer aptly describes it, that Mickey "comes with a blessing and a curse": the blessing is his caring mother, the curse, his abusive father. In the 1940's timeline of this novel, this disability was unknown and misunderstood; those suffering this affliction were thought of as "slow," and called "retarded" by less sensitive people, including Mickey's father. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't wait to learn how the game of baseball helped young Mickey Tussler come to terms with and overcome his disability, despite his father and jealous teammates undermining the boy's confidence, hindering his progress. This book is "Terrific" because Nappi builds his two heroes so realistically I feel like I know them. I really care what happens to them and other characters. When Murph and Mickey's mother Molly become close, the tension adds another realistic depth to this only too human story. This book is "Timely" because with more and more people being diagnosed with autism every day, Nappi is on the "cutting-edge" of the trend to educate people in an entertaining format. Most people will relate to Mickey because he could be someone they know, a beloved family member or a dear friend. And The Legend of Mickey Tussler is "Tense" due to Nappi's awesome writing skills and near-perfect pacing that keeps the reader enthralled to the end, waiting to find out if Mickey will win against the odds...in life and in baseball. Will Mickey win? Will Murph be able to help him? Could something as American as baseball be the answer? Will his baseball genius overcome his obstacles? What price does Mickey have to pay to become a legend? But the big question is: will readers get the subtle, underlying message and learn how to live their own lives better? Though not written specifically for young adults, I recommend this book to them and to everyone who enjoys a heart-warming, inspirational story. This is not only baseball fiction at its best, it's an all-around good story written from the heart and soul of a wordsmith who's mastered the fine art of st

Fabulous Baseball Yarn

I wrote a book review for The Legend of Mickey Tussler for the online magazine onmilwaukee.com. In that review I describe how Frank Nappi, the author, has a firm grasp on bringing forth a magical history through his novel, weaving in a sense of how a baseball team in the high minor leagues confronts its challenges throughout the season and how history played a part in the development of this story. A thorough reading of this story reveals much more. Make no mistake, this is a novel of fine proportions. I found the story telling compelling, and the notions surrounding its evolution to be true to the game of baseball. Nappi presents this tale within a context which is exciting, without resorting to gimmickry. It's honest and true writing which belies the author's familiarity with the intricacies of diamond action, to say the least. The historical aspect of the story is kept in perspective, but it's also a story with a lesson in dealing with people who are different from the status quo. The central character, Mickey Tussler, starts his career as a humble farm boy who knows nothing of the outside world, but quickly learns to adapt to it, for better or for worse. He is not painted as a hero but more as a tragic figure who confronts difficult adversities and rises above those challenges. Nappi's story contains examples of baseball writing which captivated me. Throughout the story I felt this was the best baseball fiction I'd read. Nappi does not overwork the baseball angle. His careful interweaving of subplot says a lot about his talent as a storyteller. He stays true to the game but balances his approach by including issues of a more personal nature. Therein lies the beauty of this story. As a baseball historian I had bones to pick with Nappi's handling of the old Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association. There were times when I felt more historical detail could have enhanced the story. For example, giving the readers a better sense of what type of ballpark Borchert Field was could have improved the story. Then again, historical details were not the central issue of this novel and the story line could have been diminished with an abundance of secondary information. Critics might take Nappi to task for being less faithful to the historical angle, but, in so doing, might miss the point of the story. There were times when I lost my sense of place, but I tempered my expectations by realizing this was a tale told to highlight the nature of the challenges involving the main character, and the effects of those issues. They are challenges which are confronted daily by those who do not seem to fit in with their peers and which affect us all on a human level. Nappi does a wonderful job of bringing those challenges to the fore within the context of baseball. Whether as a baseball fan or as someone who simply enjoys the pretext of sports action, you will not be disappointed by the telling of this poignant and relevant tale. Please see my re

Baseball is a lot like life......

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.

Fantastic Book!

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)

Not Your Ordinary Baseball Story

In The Legend of Mickey Tussler, Frank Nappi takes the pains of being autistic and blends it with an amazing talent. This story does not only tug at your heart it also portrays the struggles and frustrations of what someone with a disablity goes through. Again, Mr. Nappi scores a big hit mixing fiction with real life situations. This book is a must read for all who realize that life is not always a bowl of cherries. We all take for granted life plays out the same for everyone, no matter the physical or mental challenges that are in front of us. This book reminds us that even though things may look good from the outside, it is the whole person we need to discover.