Pinstripe Pride: The Inside Story of the New York Yankees

Gr 5 Up—An overview of the history of one of baseball's most beloved teams. The New York Yankees' 27 world championships and legendary players have earned them legions of fans. They will be the likely audience for this book, which recounts the team's history, starting with their founding and early days of play through the past season, which saw Derek Jeter's retirement. Along with a look at key players, such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Thurman Munson, Appel offers a dense, wordy account of the team's ups and downs, enlivening the narrative with insider details and anecdotes. However, the author focuses narrowly on his subject rather than offering a balanced perspective, emphasizing the success of the Yankees even in instances when another team showed superior skills. Most baseball fans will be put off by the book's bias and the lack of insight.