I have to confess that, when I first glanced at a copy of Lew Paper’s “Perfect: Don Larsen’s Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made It Happen,” my first reaction was “I’m not sure if I’m going to like this…after all…what haven’t we heard about this game already?” But, I decided to read the book, nonetheless. And, now, I can share that I was very happy to make that call to give it a try.

“Perfect” is a wonderful book. It’s more than just a recap of Larsen’s perfecto – it’s the life stories of 19 New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers players who took part in that contest. And, Lew Paper did an excellent job at telling these stories – they are well-sourced, informative, and entertaining.

Whether you’re someone who remembers that era of baseball or one of the two generations of baseball fans who have come along since, you will enjoy this book. It’s a great read for any baseball fan and a must read for the “New York” baseball fan.

If Don Larsen’s World Series perfect game were a box of Cracker Jack, then the players who appeared in it would be the molasses-covered popcorn treats inside and Lew Paper’s new book is now the special prize that comes along with it. I highly recommend Lew Paper’s “Perfect: Don Larsen’s Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made It Happen.”