7 Swings at 7

What made Mickey Mantle, "The Mick?" What inspired the reverence of millions of fans? In retirement, how did his popularity grow even as his reputation sank? Why, long after his death, is Mantle memorabilia more coveted than ever?

No one is better equipped to answer these questions than Rob Weir, a PhD in American social history and a Mantle idolizer since the age of five. In his new book, 7 Swings at 7, Dr. Weir combines scholarly research with the powerful emotions of a fan to illuminate the "Mantle Mystique" in a way no one has before.

Delve into:

• • How 1950s culture both made possible Mantle's stardom and fueled his demise.
  • How a small-town Oklahoma boy conquered New York City during a time of major social change.
  • The awe-inspiring courage The Mick showed while battling endless injuries.
  • His sincere modesty, that endeared him to fans, teammates, and opponents alike.
  • The myth and reality behind his mammoth home runs.
  • The unexpected riches and deep personal pain Mantle endured in his later years.

7 Swings at 7 captures the full breadth of Mantle the ballplayer and Mantle the man-from the World Series rings, legendary 500-foot home runs, and stratospheric popularity, to his regrets, personal struggles, and private sorrows. It is the story of a hero, a legend, and a flawed man, living in a culture that both deified and vilified him.